Traverse 4 GPS setup.
Traverse 3 GPS setup.
Step 1. Set up tripod over stake. Use plumb bob and bubble levels on tripod to make sure it is directly vertically over the stake.
Step 2. Mount GPS antenna on tripod.
Step 3. Measure vertical height from base of antenna (phase center model adjusts for actual vertical distance) to the ground. Input this value into the GPS configuration file.
Step 4. Run GPS for 1-3 hours per location collecting differential data every 5 seconds. Back at home run post-processing using base station data collected from Mauna Kea.
Version 1 above.
Version 2 above. Perfect! We drove to Hilo and got the 5/8” bolt and nuts to make it fit to a standard ultra light and portable camera tripod. The protocol is complete, with only a 24 hour wait prior to base station data downloading from Mauna Kea base station for final differential data calculations.
Final wiring moment.
Final weatherproof setup wired correctly and running good.
lowest sensor station.
Good day. Finally got all the sensors placed wired and hanging, then wired up the datalogger and the computer wouldn’t connect. an unknown error. i tried to error check in the car and it seemed to connect fine. tomorrow we will return to diagnosis if one of the wind sensors is perhaps shorting out the logger connection….
Returning home I was testing the Trupulse laser and it wouldn’t work either! arg…following an hour of frustration I placed it in a zip lock bag with a desiccant , after 4 hours it was working fine again! scary. guess the humidity even here in the dry season is too much for some electronics?
Angelica working hard to do the ground connecting while I was arranging the hanging mechanisms from 70 feet up.
sensors hanging, view from about 50 feet up.
the insanity of trying to wire 4 climate stations with an imminent rain storm approaching.
the weatherproof system we devised, including a great rechargeable eva-dry desiccant.
After all that, we had to unwire it and bring it back to the car (and then home) for more trouble shooting….
The wind sensors boxed for carrying to the field site.
Angelica getting the PAR and temp/rH sensor array out of their boxes.
One of the four systems connected and suspended from a branch about 80 feet off the ground. this was set up earlier in the morning by climbing up and locating a good branch notch.
Sensor hanging up in the mid canopy zone.
Tomorrow will hang the remaining two sensors, hook up the CR-10x datalogger and have the entire system up and running for the first time.
Completed the weatherproof ruggedized LiCOR6400 backpack. Necessary to transport it safely into the more remote forest plots.
All data loggers are checked, programming complete and running. Going to get the top of canopy sensors running this afternoon.
Final field prep prior to starting on Monday!
TO DO:
Both literature review citation lists are now available online at:
http://www.mendeley.com/research-papers/collections/2779911/1-Chapter-3-Bolivia-Forest-Succession/
and
http://www.mendeley.com/research-papers/collections/2784451/2-Chapter-4-Hawaii-Forest-Structure/
Major changes to the Hawaii methods and data analysis are in the works to enable finishing data collection and modeling on schedule.
