As part of our testing program for our new IoT remote sensors a temperature sensor node (model rpr-IoT-T01) was installed on the converted lifeboat Baverstock, which Lymington Town Sailing Club use to start their racing from. The temperature sensor was placed in contact with the bottom of the hull to give a good indication of the surface water temperature.
From July through to December Baverstock was moored to the south of Lymington River mouth in the Solent and just over 2km from our office. The following bar graph gives the average monthly temperatures that have been recorded.
For the more technically minded the sensor node operates from a small battery and uses a very low power radio technology called LoRa (which stands for Long Range) to send data back to a gateway in our office and then on to the internet.
Today marks the end of the traditional British Summer, meaning leaves are beginning to fall and temperatures will begin to decline.
Although the weather may begin to become more miserable, there are fresh, exciting things happening at Richard Paul Russell Ltd that may be of interest to you!
Thanks to the fantastic work of our IT department, you can now design and customise your own weather station for your application.
Using our wizard tool, found here, individuals and organisations can compare our vast range of ultrasonic meteorological sensors and connectivity options to find the right option for its application. RPR offers Gill MaxiMet and WindSonic sensors as well as ethernet, WiFi and 4g GSM connectivity options, allowing you to connect and view data regardless of the desired location of your sensor.
We offer several different cable lengths, power supply’s, displays and alarm systems so you can configure your system to fit your needs. We will develop and build your station for you – meaning all you must do is plug it in and instantly have access to reliable and accurate data on the internet.
Darker afternoons are on their way
Planning on an evening or overnight adventure? As the nights get longer and the days get darker sooner, you may need a handheld weather station with night vision capabilities. RPR Ltd offers the Kestrel 2500 NV and Kestrel 3500 NV which help you see the data in a soft grey-pink light preventing “bleaching out” and preserving the users night vision, reducing eye fatigue whilst minimising screen brightness thus preserving night operations.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, hunter, climber, hill walker, extreme sports participant, skier, snow boarder or an agricultural professional wishing to predict as well as get immediate weather readings the Kestrel 2500 or 3500 is the unit for you.
Current Wind Speed / Maximum Wind Gust / Average Wind Speed (mph, km/h, ft/min, m/s, knots, and Beaufort)
Temperature / Wind Chill (Fahrenheit and Celsius
Barometric Pressure (inHg and hPa (mb))
Pressure Trend
Altitude (Feet and Meters)
Wet Bulb Temperature (Psychrometric)
We will be at the European F-Class Individual and Team Championships
From Tuesday 6th September – Saturday 11th September we will be exhibiting at the European F-Class Championships at Bisley. As part of our stand, we will be putting up a £75 voucher to our online store that can be used on any of our products. To learn more information, click here.
Other show’s:
This Autumn, we will also be at:
The Emergency Services Show – NEC Birmingham – September 21-22.
The Meteorological World Expo – Paris, France – October 11,12,13.
Come along to both to learn how more about Plumecast and RPR’s own Professional Weather Stations.
Have a specific query? Call us at 01590641223 or email us at sales@rpr.co.uk
Victorious Festival is set to take place this Friday 26th to Sunday 28th August in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world. Headline acts Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Sam Fender are set to stun the town of Southsea with their popular hits all weekend.
Currently, the forecast shows sunny weather with highs of 23c – predicting a fantastic weekend of singing and dancing. But, the festival would have been delayed if treacherous conditions were to have descended during installation of their temporary structures.
With the help of RPR, Victorious Festival installed a Gill WindSonic 1 sensor a few hundred meters from the festival site. Combined with a WS-15A display, the organisers can easily read live wind data 24 hours a day.
This ensures that health and safety protocols are followed, and no work is done in dangerous conditions. Being so close to the coast, the importance of actively monitoring the site is elevated, meaning that the ability to view live wind data at the site of the festival online through both the WS-15A and weatherfile.com becomes extremely valuable.
With the option of Premium membership to WeatherFile, partners and users can set up customisable alerts to certain parameters such as wind speed. This makes monitoring health and safety hazards extremely easy and can take the assumptions out of safety decisions.
Perfect for temporary events
The range of meteorological sensors that RPR offers, from Gill MaxiMet, WindSonic and MetConnect can easily be coupled with our very own WeatherFile technology, providing a fantastic solution to live weather monitoring.
Decisions on health and safety, particularly in the events industry, can often be complex and subjective. However, WeatherFile can be trusted to provide highly accurate and reliable data on a vast range of weather parameters needed to take the guess work out of tricky decisions on when to stop and start operations.
Part of another industry?
WeatherFile already provides solutions for 100+ organisations including airfields, sailing clubs, construction sites, gardens, parks and much more. If you are interested in how WeatherFile can provide a unique solution to your organisation including customisable alarm settings, email alerts and portable solutions – reach out to us at sales@rpr.co.uk or give us a call at 01590641223.
The UK has been seeing unprecedented temperatures and little to zero rainfall for weeks, which means many of our crops, livestock and agricultural land have been suffering. It can be difficult to know what extent the dryness and temperature can have on agricultural work, yet Richard Paul Russell Ltd offers several items that may be a great help.
This meter is RPR’s most complete environmental meter designed for agricultural purposes. This meter measures moisture content, wind direction (including crosswind), and includes a digital compass, meaning it goes above and beyond the 5000AG model. Perfect for livestock care, crop production, barn welfare and other agricultural activities, this meter calculates Delta T – which provides guidance on the evaporation rate of sprayed chemicals, so you can select the best time and spray nozzle for spraying.
Need something more portable? The Kestrel DROP D2AG is an easy to use highly accurate livestock heat stress data logger with free-to-use Bluetooth connected App for both iOS and Android.
This small, rugged and drop-proof data logger measures temperature-humidity index (THI), as well as temperature, humidity, dew point and heat stress index to give data to help manage your livestock or crops.
The device is IP67-rated and can be connected to the Kestrel App via a smart device from up to 100ft away. Conveniently designed with a ring, DROP D2AG can be easily hooked or placed in the barn, during transport, or anywhere livestock and feedstock are housed.
The Kestrel 5000AG is a compact handheld device used by farmers, sheep and cattle producers, veterinary professionals and livestock handlers. This environmental meter has a variety of agricultural specific applications including assessing barn and storage ventilation effectiveness, barn climate, livestock heat stress, air speed, field microclimates, storage conditions and transportation safety.
The meter has an extremely large data capacity and can be paired with a tripod to be left for weeks. Above and beyond the DROP data logger, this meter measures:
• Dew Point Temperature • Heat Stress Index • Relative Humidity • Air Flow & Air Speed • Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) • Temperature / Wind Chill (Fahrenheit and Celsius) • Station Pressure (Absolute Pressure) • Barometric Pressure (inHg and hPa (mb)) • Pressure Trend • Altitude (Feet and Meters) • Density altitude • Wet Bulb Temperature (Psychrometric) • Exterior temperature, humidity & pressure sensors for fast & accurate readings
Richard Paul Russell will be attending the inaugural Bisley Festival on 13th – 14th August 2022 at the Lord Roberts Centre at Bisley Camp.
As part of celebrations of the Centenary of the National Rifle Championships in Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year, the Bisley Festival will give an opportunity to visitors to learn more about shooting, shooting products, and the chance to try target shooting in a safe environment with highly skilled instructors.
As well as this, there will be several other attractions:
As an exhibitor at the show, Richard Paul Russell Ltd will be showcasing and selling a vast range of its ballistics range including Kestrel Instruments, Magneto Speed and more. Among other favourites, RPR will be bringing plenty of stock of customer-favourite Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics as well as a whole host of other Kestrel ballistics meters, and accessories such as tripods, rotating vane mounts and replacement impellers.
Visitors to our stand will have the chance to see display versions of our Kestrel range and ask us questions about our products.
We will have a selection of our other products available too, so if you are interested in more than just shooting, please come and chat to us about our other services such as weather stations and our involvement with the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Bisley Festival begins 13th August at 9am, with free tickets available to NSRA members and tickets from just £10 for everyone else. You can learn more about the event and purchase tickets here: https://bisleyfestival.com/
Our WeatherFile team has been working hard on some brand new updates that make WeatherFile a top choice for those needing 24/7 live weather data.
Introducing WeatherFile Premium.
WeatherFile Premium gives our customers the ability to set up email alerts on specific weather conditions for up to four different parameters (depending on their site’s sensor). For example, GMX600 users can be notified that the average wind speed has been above 20mph for the last hour, or that the temperature has risen above 30c as well as notifications on pressure, dewpoint, and relative humidity.
This Premium service allows organisations up to 4 notifications per site for up to 12 users with administrative access, meaning that users can now identify even more trends in weather that may affect their activity and events.
Who benefits from this update?
Recently, WeatherFile has been working with The Royal Parks to provide a state-of-the-art solution to weather monitoring. The Royal Parks use a GMX 600 sensor that measures a whole range of parameters from temperature and dewpoint to rain fall and pressure.
The Royal Park’s weather systems are solar powered and even have the options of being notified when battery is running low.
The update allows organisations and individuals to prepare appropriately for significant weather conditions and become more risk averse. This new WeatherFile feature is ideal for companies that primarily operate outside and must adhere to relevant health and safety requirements – such as the events, construction, and maritime industries.
Pro and Basic options
As well as the premium option, WeatherFile users have the choice of a cheaper service level agreement. The pro package allows 3 notifications per site for up to 8 users, while the basic package offers 2 notifications per site for up to 8 users. These packages are perfect for sites such as Trident TC2 who only monitor wind speed and direction.
Coming soon
The public will soon be able to sign up for their own alerts at sites of their choice. Take a look at where the closest WeatherFile station is to you, or enquire about a system for yourself here: https://weatherfile.com/
Alternatively, give our technical sales team a call at +44 (0) 1590 641223 or drop us an email at sales@rpr.co.uk
In the U.K., there were 243 wildfires from January to April, compared to 237 for the whole of 2021 (Independent), alerting UK residents that there is a rising risk to nature and humanity.
Around the world, these fires are becoming more prevalent in areas that are more seriously affected by climate change – including droughts, warmer temperatures, and drier air. By the end of this century, the UN predicts that wildfires will increase by a huge 50%.
In the UK, there have been fires in Essex, Wiltshire, and at the National Clay Shooting Centre in Bisley – where RPR will be heading for the Bisley Festival next month. These fires spread quickly and force closures, habitat loss and concerns to local residents.
Not only is the unhealthy air and fire itself a concern, there are unexpected effects that can be extremely dangerous – take a look at Salisbury Plain where firefighters are unable to put out the fire due to active ammunition being on the plane.
There have, of course, also been incidents around the west coast of America – including Alaska and Yosemite National Park – which is beginning to affect the natural landscape. Large, beautiful trees known as sequoias are some of the oldest-known trees in the world. This fire, in Washburn, California, has already forced 1600+ people away from their homes, and has the potential to be even more devastating. According to the BBC, over 35,000 fires have been recorded across the US this year alone.
A plethora of lifestyle choices can be applied to reduce the risks of these fires, but sometimes that is not enough. When fire’s come unexpectedly, it can be an extremely dangerous scenario. Businesses and firefighters can prepare appropriately by stocking a range of items provided by Richard Paul Russell Ltd:
Kestrel 5500FW
Perhaps the premium option for an active firefighter is the Kestrel 5500FW. A complete handheld replacement for a traditional firefighter’s belt weather kit, the monitor includes PIG (probability of ignition) and FDFM (fine dead fuel moisture) capabilities. The LiNK app allows users to measure, data log and predict trends to help assist with key decisions.
The Kestrel 5500FW doubles up as a complete weather station, with data on all key weather parameters including dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, maximum gust, cross winds/tailwinds, pressure and altitude.
Kestrel Drop D3FW
This ‘DROP’ device is a small, portable, lightweight and easy-to-use solution to environmental monitoring. This device measures pressure trend, station pressure, temperature, humidity, dew point temperature, heat stress index and wet bulb temperature.
A cheaper option to the Kestrel 5400FW, the Drop D3FW can be left to monitor data in a variety of environments and industries including agricultural land, commercial properties and vehicles, emergency services and manufacturing warehouses. The D3FW allows data to be sent to devices so that organisations can make informed decisions on fire safety and fire monitoring.
Kestrel 5400FW
The Kestrel 5400FW is another solid choice for firefighters and health and safety personnel in the crucial stages of wildfires and urban fire events. This monitor provides data and calculations to assist in important decision making scenarios such as heat stress indications and hydration guidelines.
Kestrel 5400FW provides professional Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer technology to assess risk of a variety of weather parameters such as radiant heat from the sun, fire and other hot surfaces. The monitor can assist in fire training and is able to log over 10,000 sets of time-stamped data – of which can be uploaded to smart devices and computers.
Need something else?
Give us a call or drop an email to sales@r-p-r.co.uk to discuss individual requirements. Alternatively, take a look at our full range of products including ballistics, anemometers, rain gauges and data loggers here.
It goes without saying that working outdoors can be dangerous – whether there’s wrecking balls flying around or bricks falling from high places, there is an element of precaution in every part of a building site. When it comes to weather, one might not think about how it might affect the progress of a building site (apart from when it’s raining!). As it happens, out of all the external factors, weather is one of the crucial factors in determining safety, avoiding damage, and preventing delays.
What’s the solution?
So, how can we stop the unpredictable nature of weather from getting in the way? Richard Paul Russell Ltd offers a variety of products that are appropriate for a range of budgets, with our own WeatherFile systems being a professional solution to weather monitoring.
Using state-of-the-art sensors such as the Gill WindSonic, MetConnect, WindObserver or MaxiMet, construction sites are able to gather data on a full suite of weather parameters including: wind speed & direction, precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, pressure and solar radiation. Each WeatherFile unit has the option to add GPS compatibility and a compass – which makes it easy to see data from a variety of locations.
With optional alarm function, sites can set customisable alerts to certain weather conditions so that you never work in dangerous conditions.
How do I know when it is safe to use a crane?
Wind is the biggest determining factor of whether it’s safe to use a crane. The GMX 240 provides data on wind speed and direction using a solid state ultrasonic sensor. An electronic compass comes as standard, calculating apparent wind, WMO wind averages and gust data. The optional GPS adds the benefit of a true wind measurement, height above sea level, latitude and longitude and simplifies installation by automatically locating the sensor position We also offer more advanced versions of GMX sensors that provide data on a larger range of weather parameters.
The LCJ range also provides a more portable solution to wind monitoring and tend to use less power than Gill instruments. The LJC Capteurs CV7 excels on lower power and provides highly accurate wind data.
Need something more specific?
RPR Ltd hosts a range of different brands of weather stations including Kestrel, Gill, Calypso and LCJ that specialise in the manufacturing of wind and weather systems.
The Kestrel 5200 is a construction workers best friend, and is a quintessential example of an affordable, construction-focused weather meter. With state-of-the-art technology, the Kestrel 5200 carries built-in evaporation rate calculations and displays the result direct to screen with no human calculation or interpretation errors. This data enables effective decisions regarding addition of additives to the mix or curing adjustments, preventing costly plastic shrinkage cracks. The integral anemometer allows you to monitor and log on-site wind speeds ensuring safe operation of cranes. The heat index calculations can be utilised to advise on safe working conditions, rest periods and rehydration volumes.
Too hot to work?
If heat and humidity is your primary concern, you may want to try a Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker. These trackers use Wet Bulb Globe Thermometers to give you data on the ‘real feel’ in both shaded and direct sunlight areas. By connecting to the LiNK app, you can access live data and download it so you can analyse the best time of day to take a break.
Another option is the Kestrel Drop D3 is designed to monitor and record a full suite of environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, heat index, dew point temperature, station pressure, density altitude and pressure trend in a variety of indoor, outdoor and industrial applications. The Drop D3 is small and portable and has a hook for you to hang it wherever is most appropriate.
Something else?
Kestrel, Gill and LCJ offer a whole range of environmental meters and specialise in a range of industries including sporting, environmental and agricultural industries. If you’d like to learn more about our range, take a look at our website or give us a call.
You have probably heard of the term ‘heat index’ used when a temperature ‘feels’ different than what your weather app is showing you. Heat index simply takes into account humidity to the temperature in shaded areas. This means that if you work in direct sunlight you can not be sure that you are safe.
In order to determine the true real feel of the weather, a technology known as Wet Globe Bulb Thermometers provide precise readings on when being exposed to the heat is too dangerous. Heat stress trackers can be used in a vast range of industries such as agriculture, construction, military and facility management.
The Kestrel 5400 not only provides heat index readings, but uses Wet Globe Bulb Thermometer (WBGT) to provide an indication on heat stress in direct sunlight and therefore provides a fantastic solution to occupational heat tracking needs. WBGT is based on an equation that uses a combination of environmental elements to calculate the reading including humidity, wind, sun angle and cloud cover.
Industries such as sport, military, construction and agriculture are prime examples of professions that require WBGT technology, as much of their work is done outside in direct sunlight. The Kestrel 5400 is sold at RPR beginning at £408.29 (ex. VAT) for the non-LiNK version and is the leading choice in heat stress management.
The Kestrel 5400 displays a Thermal Work Limit (TWL) which measures real human heat stress. TWL is measured in terms of the heat energy a person can dissipate from their surface area in Watts per square meter (w/m2) and provides solutions already to US organisations such as National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
For further accuracy, the Kestrel 5400 allows you to change 4 settings to get the most out of your meter. These settings include position of the body, surface area of the body, intrinsic clothing insulation factor, and vapor permeation factor (AKA how much of your body is allowed to breathe).
Made in the USA, the Kestrel 5000 series provides data on a full suite of weather paaramaters including dew point, density altitude, wind chill, air, water, and snow temperature and wind speed. The Kestrel 5400 is waterproof, has an easy-to-read backlit display and can be linked to a data logger or the LiNK bluetooth app to provide easy-to-read graphical data that can be stored and customised.
A fresh batch of Kestrel 5400’s have just hit our store. If you are interested in how heat stress trackers can be used in your workplace, give us a call at +44 (0) 1590 641223 or email the sales team at sales@rpr.co.uk
Upgrade your Kestrel 1000 – 5000 series with these accessories to get the most out of your meter.
Vane Mount and Case:
Turn your Kestrel device into a complete weather station with a vane mount and case. Beginning at £54.95 inc. VAT for the 1000-3000 series, the vane mount and case securely mount any Kestrel to a tripod, giving you more options on how you use your Kestrel meter. Your meter can be stored in the vane mount pouch, making it the most portable weather station in the world.
Mini tripod and clamp:
LiNK iOS app
Built for the K5000 series, the mini tripod is the perfect option for ballistics when shooting from range stand. Sturdy and lightweight, the tripod is extremely portable and weather resistant, ensuring you can take that perfect shot wherever you go. Featuring three adjustable legs. non-slip vinyl feet, and a tilt/rotate U ball, you can be certain that even on the most uneven of surfaces that you will get accurate readings. Price: £36.95 inc. VAT
LiNK App:
Does your Kestrel have Bluetooth? Download the LiNK iOS/Android app to get remote mobile device viewing of real-time readings from your Kestrel 5000 Series Meter or DROP data logger. You can keep historical data stored on your device and view graphs to help you analyse your shots. The app also allows you to set alerts in certain weather conditions, including emails to your device, ensuring you only shoot when conditions are appropriate. Price: FREE
HST Molle Carry Case:
HST Carry Case
Pair your Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker with a heavy duty Cordura Carry Case – the ultimate protection for your Kestrel. Featuring a rugged outer shell and zip feature, this carry-case allows you to take your K5400 into tough conditions all over the world. Made of 500-denier Cordura nylon and 200-denier Kevlar, this case is extremely resistant to abrasion and damage in the harshest of environments. Price: £69.95 inc. VAT
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