remote site manager user guide - onsetcomp.com · 2017-11-20 · remote site manager user’s guide...

Part #: MAN-RSM DOC #: 7303-E

Remote Site Manager User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................1 Features ...................................................................1 System requirements ...............................................1 Installation ................................................................2 Software overview ....................................................2 Quick start ................................................................4

Chapter 2 Setting up remote site profiles ................11 What is a remote site profile?.................................11 How to create a remote site profile ........................11 Setting up FTP/Email with auto-readout ................16 Editing a profile.......................................................20 Deleting a profile ....................................................20

Chapter 3 Communicating with the logger ..............21 Connecting .............................................................21 Checking status......................................................25 Launching...............................................................27 Reading out data ....................................................30 Disconnecting.........................................................32

Chapter 4 Auto-readout..............................................35 Starting auto-readout..............................................35 Deactivating auto-readout ......................................38 Auto-readout of multiple loggers ............................39 Removing a logger from the auto-readout schedule................................................................................39 Auto-readout log.....................................................39

Chapter 5 Working with files .....................................43 Viewing logger data................................................43 Remote Site Manager file management.................45

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting........................................47

ii Remote Site Manager User’s Guide

Contact Information For support, please contact the company that you bought the products from: Onset Computer Corporation or an Onset Authorized Dealer.

Onset Computer Corporation 470 MacArthur Blvd. Bourne, MA 02532

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3450 Pocasset, MA 02559-3450 Phone: 1-800-LOGGERS (1-800-564-4377) or 508-759-9500 Fax: 508-759-9100

Hours of Operation: 8AM and 5PM Eastern Time E-mail: [email protected] Main Onset Web site: www.onsetcomp.com FTP site: ftp.onsetcomp.com

If you purchased the products through an Onset Authorized Dealer, you can also refer to www.hobohelp.com for support information.

WARNING Electrical hazard. If using the HOBO Weather Station or Micro Station logger with the Remote Modem or Radio Modem, make sure the logger is grounded to reduce the chance of damage from electrical storms and activity.

WARNING Electrical hazard. If using the HOBO Weather Station or Micro Station logger with a weatherproof communications cable, make sure the logger is grounded to reduce the chance of damage to any devices attached, such as the computer.

© 2003–2004 Onset Computer Corporation, all rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Part #: MAN-RSM, Doc #: 7303-E

Onset, HOBO, BoxCar, and HandCar are registered trademarks or trademarks of Onset Computer Corporation. LabVIEW is a trademark of National Instruments Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

Remote Site Manager User’s Guide iii

Software License Agreement IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND ONSET COMPUTER CORPORATION. BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT, YOU ARE AGREEING UNCONDITIONALLY TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT, EVEN IF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT IS DEEMED A MODIFICATION OF ANY PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENT OR CONTRACT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT, DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT TO THE PLACE YOU PURCHASED IT FOR A FULL REFUND.

1. For the purposes of this License Agreement, “Software” or “Software Product” refers to the computer software and associated media, printed materials, and “online” or electronic documentation, including any and all executable files, tutorials, help files, utilities, and other files that accompany this product.

The Software Product is owned by Onset Computer Corporation and is protected by United States copyright laws, international copyright treaties, and all other applicable national laws. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the software shall remain with Onset Computer Corporation. The Software Product is licensed, not sold. There is no transfer to you of any title to or ownership of the Software, and this license shall not be construed as a sale of any right in the Software. You may not make additional copies of the software, except as provided for in paragraph number 2 below.

2. Grant of License. This Onset license agreement grants you to install and use one copy of the enclosed version Software Product on a single computer. The primary user of the computer on which the Software Product is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer and/or home computer.

3. Other Restrictions. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software Product or make any attempt to discover the source code to the Software Product. Except as expressly permitted in this License Agreement or with written permission from Onset Computer Corporation, the Software may not be used, copied, redistributed, retransmitted, published, sold, rented, leased, marketed, sublicensed, assigned, transferred, altered, or modified.

The Software Product is licensed as a single product and its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer.

4. Support. Support for the Software Product is provided by the company from which you purchased it.

5. Liability. Other than as permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Onset Computer Corp. or its suppliers be liable for any direct or indirect damages whatsoever, arising out of the use, or inability to use this Software Product. In any case, Onset Computer Corporation and its supplier’s entire liability is limited to the amount actually paid by you for the Software Product.

iv Remote Site Manager User’s Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction

Remote Site Manager User’s Guide 1

Chapter 1 Introduction

The Remote Site Manager is software that allows you to launch and read out HOBO Weather Station and Micro Station data loggers remotely. This chapter covers:

Features of the Remote Site Manager

System requirements

How to install the software

An overview of the software

Quick start to using the Remote Site Manager with a Radio Modem, Remote Modem, or direct connection

Features With the Remote Site Manager, you can:

• Launch, read out, and check the status of remote Weather Stations and Micro Stations from your computer

• Schedule automatic readouts of the logger so you always have the latest data

• Automatically send newly downloaded data via email or to an FTP site

• Communicate with a logger wirelessly, via a land line modem, or via a COM port (different hardware is required for each communication method)

System requirements To install the Remote Site Manager, your computer must meet the following requirements:

• Pentium II 200 MHz or higher with at least 40 MB free disk space and 64 MB RAM

• Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, Windows XP Home or Professional (administrator privileges required on Windows 2000 and Windows XP for installing and using the software)

You will also need the following hardware depending on the method used to communicate with the logger:

Wireless

• Radio Modem connected to an H21 logger (H21-002 Micro Station also requires Micro Station Adapter Cable, Part # CABLE-HWS-F)

• Radio Modem Base Station connected to a PC within the specified range as defined in the Radio Modem Operation Manual

• Optional Yagi Antenna Kit


2 Remote Site Manager User’s Guide

• Available COM port on the PC

Land line modem

• Hayes Compatible 33 to 56K modem (external or internal)

• Analog telephone line at the computer

• Remote Modem (Part # C-001) connected to an H21 logger (H21-002 Micro Station also requires Micro Station Adapter Cable, Part # CABLE-HWS-F) and dedicated analog telephone line

COM port

• Available COM port on the PC

• PC Interface cable; 1.8 m (6 feet) cable (Part # CABLE-PC-3.5) is provided with the software or use the optional 2 m (6.6 feet) or 17 m (56 feet) communication cable with weatherproof connectors (Part # CABLE-HWS2 and CABLE-HWS17 respectively) to extend the cable length; (H21-002 Micro Station also requires Micro Station Adapter Cable, Part # CABLE-HWS-F)

If you will be configuring the software to send data via e-mail or FTP, the computer must have internet access via an intranet, cable modem, DSL, or a dial-up connection that does not require SMTP authentication or require you to log onto an online network. For more details, see FTP/Email on page 16.

Installation Note: Administrator privileges are required for installing and using the software on Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

To install the software:

1. Insert CD in drive. From My Computer or Windows Explorer, double-click the CD drive icon and then double-click setup.exe. Or, from the Start menu, select Run, and then type setup.exe and click OK.

2. Follow the instructions on the screen. When prompted for a directory to install the software, accept the default directory to install the software or select your own.

3. The first time you open the software, you will be prompted to install LabVIEW runtime program component. Follow the instructions on the screen. This runtime program is required for Remote Site Manager and must be installed to use the software.

Software overview To open the software, from the Start menu, select Programs, Onset Applications, Remote Site Manager. This opens the Remote Site Manager main window.



Remote Site Manager main window This is an example of the Remote Site Manager main window.

Remote Connection window Clicking the Contact Remote Site button in the main Remote Site Manager window opens the following Remote Connection window. From here, you can launch a logger, check its status, and read it out. For more details, refer to Chapter 3.

Status bar Click this button to connect to remote loggers, check the status, launch, or read out data

Click this button to create, edit, or delete remote site profiles, and to configure the auto-readout schedule Activate or deactivate the

auto-readout schedule (the schedule is inactive in this example)

Tool bar

Menu bar

Menu bar

Connection status bar

Status window, which shows the current state of the logger and current readings for the sensors



Remote Profiles window Clicking the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button in the main Remote Site Manager window opens the following Remote Profiles window, where you can create new remote site profiles, edit, copy, and delete profiles, and set up auto-readout schedules within profiles. Refer to Chapter 2 for more details on working with profiles.

Quick start This section provides a quick overview on how to set up a Remote Modem (Part # C-001), Radio Modem (Part # C-002 and C-003), or a local port direct connection with Remote Site Manager, and then launch and read out a logger.

Refer to the Remote Modem User’s Guide or the Radio Modem Operation Manual for detailed instructions on setting up modems. Refer to the HOBO Weather Station User’s Guide or the HOBO Micro Station User’s Guide for information on configuration and using a logger.

1. Insert the batteries into the modem and connect the modem.

Radio Modem: If you haven’t already configured the Radio Modem with an address, channel and sleep time, then connect the modem to the computer only using the 3.5 mm stereo jack serial PC interface cable and do not connect it to the logger yet. If you have configured the modem already, then skip to the next step.

Remote Modem: Connect the modem to the logger. If you are connecting to a Micro Station, you will need a Micro Station Adapter Cable (CABLE-HWS-F). Plug the modem into an analog phone line.

2. If you are not using a modem, connect the logger to an open COM port on the computer using the 3.5 mm stereo jack PC interface cable.

3. From the Start menu, select Programs, Onset Applications, Remote Site Manager to open the software.



4. Click the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button.

5. Click the Add Site tab to create a new remote site profile.

6. Select a Connection Route: Land Line Modem, Radio Modem, or Local Port.

7. Type a name for the profile, 10 characters maximum.

Click the Add Site tab



8. Complete the appropriate fields based on the connection route you selected.

If you selected: Enter the following information:

Land Line Modem 1. In the Phone Number field, type the phone number for the line connected to the Remote Modem. Use this format: 123-4567. If it is a long distance call, be sure to add 1 and the area code at the beginning: 1-555-123-4567.

2. Click the checkbox to disable call waiting if that feature is available on the phone line connected to your computer. The default code to disable call waiting is *70; type a different code if necessary.

3. Click the checkbox to dial for an outside line if required to dial out from your PC. The default number is 9 for an outside line; type a different number if necessary.

Radio Modem 1. If you haven’t already configured the channel, address, and sleep time, make sure the Radio Modem, not the Base Station, is connected to a COM port on the PC using the PC interface cable. Select this COM port from the drop-down list and click the Remote Module Configuration button. If you’ve already assigned a channel, address and sleep time for this modem, then skip the steps in this table.

2. To configure the Radio Modem, either accept the default numbers assigned to the channel, address, and sleep time or enter your own. For more details on configuring the Radio Modem, see How to create a Remote Site Profile on beginning on page 11.

3. Click OK. The numbers are added to the profile. Disconnect the PC cable from both the computer and the Radio Modem. Attach the Radio Modem to the logger.

4. Connect the antenna to the Base Station. 5. Plug the power adapter into the power jack on the Radio Modem Base

Station, and then plug it into an electrical outlet. 6. Connect one end of the Base Station serial cable to the Serial Port on the

Radio Modem Base Station. Connect the other end into the same COM port on the computer you used to configure the Radio Modem.

7. Turn on the power on the Radio Modem Base Station. 8. Connect the weatherproof communications cable that is built into the Radio

Modem to the logger. To connect to a Weather Station, remove the protective cap on the right side of the logger enclosure and plug the communications cable into the connector. To connect to a Micro Station, plug the communications cable into the Micro Station Adapter Cable (Part # CABLE-HWS-F) attached to the logger.

Local Port Select the COM port where the PC interface cable is plugged in.

9. Click OK. You will not be configuring auto-readout in this quick start. For information on auto-readout, see Chapter 4.



10. The profile you just created is added to the list of Remote Sites. Select the profile and click the Connect button.

11. The Remote Connection window automatically opens and displays messages while the connection to the logger is made. Once the connection is made, the logger status is displayed.

12. Select the Logger menu, and click Launch.

13. If the logger IS NOT currently logging, the following message appears. Click Do Not Launch to remain in the Logger Status screen, or click Launch to continue to the Launch screen.

If the logger IS currently logging, the following warning appears. Click Do Not Launch to remain in the Logger Status screen, or click Launch to stop the logger and continue to the Launch screen.

Click to Connect



14. In the Launch screen, enter the following information:

• In the Description field, type a brief description for the test launch.

• Select a brief logging interval for testing purposes (such as 5 or 10 seconds).

• Select Start Logging Now.

15. Click Start in the Launch screen. This launches the logger. You will then see an updated status in the Logger Status tab, indicating the logger is launched and logging data at the interval you selected.

16. From the Logger menu, select Readout.

Click Start once you’re ready to launch the logger



17. The following message prompts you to either continue logging while offloading data or stop logging before offloading data. Click either Continue Logging or Stop Logging. You should stop logging at this point so that you don’t drain the logger batteries if this was just a quick test, or you selected a fast logging interval (less than one minute).

18. Save the file. The description you entered in the launch screen will be the default file name. Accept the default file name or type in a new one, select a directory where you want to save the file, and then click Save.

19. Click the Disconnect icon on the toolbar or the Disconnect Now (conserve battery power) button on the Logger Status tab when you’re done. It is important to disconnect as soon as possible to save modem and logger battery power. If you need to reconnect to the logger, simply select the profile from the Site Profile list from the toolbar and then click the Telephone icon. Note that after you disconnect, the Logger Status window remains open displaying the status from the last connection.

20. Open the text (.txt) file in Notepad or WordPad, or import it into a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel. Open the datafile (.dtf) in BoxCar Pro 4.3 or higher to analyze the logged data. By default, files are saved to the directory where the Remote Site Manager is installed (C:\Program Files\Onset Computer Corporation\HOBO Weather Station\RSM) unless you selected a different directory.

You’ve completed the quick start. Refer to the other chapters in this user’s guide to learn more about remote site profiles, communicating with the logger, configuring auto-readout schedules, and more. For

Site Profile list



details on how to set up a schedule for routinely reading out the logger or how to send downloaded data to others via email or FTP, see the Setting Up FTP/Email with Autoreadout section on page 16.

For assembling, mounting, and deploying the Radio Modem or Remote Modem, refer to the instructions in their user’s guides.

Chapter 2: Setting up remote site profiles


Chapter 2 Setting up remote site profiles

This chapter explains how to create and use remote site profiles. Specifically, it explains:

The definition of a remote site profile

How to create a remote site profile

How to configure auto-readout, FTP, and email settings in a remote site profile

How to edit and delete a remote site profile

What is a remote site profile? A remote site profile is a record that defines how the Remote Site Manager communicates with a deployed logger. At its most basic level, a remote site profile consists of:

• A name

• The method you are using to connect to the logger (land line modem, radio modem, or local port)

• The details for the connection method (phone number, port number, channel and/or address)

The remote site profile is also used to configure the auto-readout schedule, which allows data to be offloaded automatically on a specific schedule. In the auto-readout schedule, you can specify:

• The frequency of the auto-readout

• Where the files offloaded during auto-readout are stored

• FTP and email settings if you want to automatically transfer data offloaded during auto-readout

Remote site profiles are required if you are using a land line modem to communicate with the logger or if you wish to set up an auto-readout schedule. A remote site profile is not required if you are using the local port or a Radio Modem to connect to the logger and you are not using auto-readout.

How to create a remote site profile This section explains how to create a basic site profile without auto-readout and then how to configure auto-readout settings.

Creating a basic remote site profile without auto-readout settings To create a basic remote site profile:

1. Click the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button in the main Remote Site Manager window.



2. Click the Add Site tab in the Remote Profiles window.

3. In the Connection Route field , click the arrows to choose how you will be communicating with the logger: land line modem, radio modem, or local port.

4. In the Name field , type a name for the profile. Use an identifiable name if you are setting up more than one profile because later you may need to select the profile name from a list of others when connecting to the logger. The name must be 10 characters or less.

5. Enter the details based on the connection route you selected.

If you selected: Do the following:

Land Line Modem • Connect the logger to a Remote Modem as described in the Remote Modem User’s Guide. The Remote Modem must in turn be connected to a phone line.

• Set up a profile using Land Line Modem as the Connection Route as described on page 11.

Radio Modem First, configure the channel and address for the Radio Modem. These are the identification numbers the software uses to communicate with each Radio Modem.

1. Connect the Radio Modem (not the Base Station) to a COM port using the PC interface cable.

2. Click the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button on the main Remote Site Manager screen.

3. Add a new site or edit an existing site and choose Radio Modem as the Connection Route. Select the correct COM port.

4. Click the Remote Module Configuration button. 5. A message reminds you to connect the Radio Modem to the computer



and select the correct COM port. Click Continue. 6. The software searches for the Radio Modem (also called remote

module). Once the Radio Modem is found, the default channel, module address, and sleep time is displayed.

Either accept the default numbers assigned to the channel and address or enter your own. The channel can be any number from 1 to 7. The Module Address can be any number from 1 to 65535. If you will be configuring more than one Radio Modem, but less than seven: Each modem should have a different channel number and any module address. This will prevent multiple modems with the same channel from powering up when a given modem on that channel is contacted and will maximize battery life. If you will be configuring more than seven Radio Modems: Modems that share a channel address must have different module addresses, and again you should spread out the Radio Modems across as many channels as possible to maximize battery life. Every modem that is on the same channel gets powered up whenever any one modem on that channel is contacted. Sleep time is used to optimize the radio modem’s battery life. Selecting a sleep time of 16 seconds will allow the radio modem to use a low-power sleep mode, but adds a delay in “waking up” the Radio Modem to receive communication. It is recommended that you accept the default sleep time (16 seconds) unless you are using a DC adapter with your radio modem.

7. Click OK. The channel, module address, and sleep time is set and a successful configuration is reported.

Second, set up the hardware. 1. Remove the Radio Modem from the COM port. 2. Connect the Radio Modem Base Station to the same COM port you

used to configure the Radio Modem channel and address. 3. Plug the AC Adapter for the Radio Modem Base Station into an

electrical outlet and the other end to the base station. 4. Connect the Radio Modem to the logger as described in the Radio

Modem User’s Guide.

Local Port Connect the PC interface cable provided with BoxCar Pro to an open COM port. Then, insert the other end of the cable into the stereo jack on the logger. Note: You can optionally extend the cable via a 2 m (Part # CABLE-HWS2) or 17 m (Part # CABLE-HWS17) communications cable.



6. In the Location field , type a description (up to 10 characters) of where the logger is located (for example, “East Field,” “Gold Mine,” or “Maui”).

7. Click OK. For details on completing the Auto-Readout Schedule panel on the Add Site tab, see the next section.

The new remote site profile is added to the Remote Sites tab. Connect to the logger using the new profile by clicking the Connect button. For more details on connecting to a logger, launching, and reading out, see Chapter 3.

Configuring auto-readout in a remote site profile Remote site profiles are not only used to establish how you will be connecting to the logger, but they are also used to configure auto-readout, which automatically reads out (offloads) the logger on a schedule you specify and optionally sends the offloaded files via FTP, email, or both.

To set up auto-readout in a remote site profile:

1. In the main Remote Site Manager window, click the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button.

2. Either create a new profile and enter all required fields, or select a profile from the Remote Sites list and click Edit.

3. Check the Utilize schedule box in the Auto-Readout Schedule panel of the Add Sites tab. This activates the other fields in the panel. Note: Checking the Utilize schedule box does not activate the schedule itself; it only configures the current profile for auto-readout. You will have to manually activate auto-readout in the main Remote Site Manager screen when you’re ready. For more details, see Chapter 4.



4. In the Retrieve new data every field , select how often you want to read out the logger. Choose either a predefined frequency or select “Custom” and then type in the frequency.

Auto-readout frequency guidelines:

• It is recommended that you select a frequency of at least two hours if you are using the remote or radio modem. This will help to avoid quickly draining the modem batteries. For more details on expected battery life based on auto-readout frequencies, see the Remote Modem User’s Guide or Radio Modem User’s Guide.

• Choose a frequency that is greater than the logging interval (if the logger interval is set for every 30 minutes, do not choose an auto-readout frequency of every 15 minutes).

5. In the Start time field , choose either “Immediate” or “Custom” and then select the date and time. The start time is the time the first auto-readout will take place. If you choose Immediate, the first auto-readout will take place as soon as you activate the auto-readout schedule in the main Remote Site Manager screen. If you choose a specific date and time, the first readout will take place when your computer clock reaches that date and time (assuming you have activated the auto-readout schedule in the main window). After the first auto-readout, each subsequent readout will take place at the frequency entered in the Retrieve new data every field.

6. By default, the auto-readout files will be saved to C:\Program Files\Onset Computer Corporation\HOBO Weather Station\RSM. You can either accept this default location or specify your own directory and file name. Use the folder button to navigate to the directory or type in the directory and file name.

7. Click OK (instructions on setting up email and FTP are in the next section).



8. The profile is updated on the Remote Sites tab.

9. After you click the Done button, the profile will appear in the Auto-Readout Schedule in the main Remote Site Manager screen after a short delay. To activate auto-readout, check the Activate box. For more details on auto-readout, see Chapter 4.

Setting up FTP/Email with auto-readout In the auto-readout schedule, you can configure Remote Site Manager to automatically send downloaded data via FTP or email. This means that when the auto-readout schedule is active, the results are not only saved to your computer, but they are also sent to an FTP site, to other people via email, or both. This requires Internet access on your computer.

Note about Internet access requirements

Remote Site Manager will work with most intranet, cable modem, and DSL connections to the Internet. It will also work with a “classic” dial-up connection, which is a connection that does not require logging onto an online network.

Important: Remote Site Manager does not support email systems that require SMTP authentication, user authentication, or browser-based email. Make sure that you use the email server from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and that it does not require authentication. Some email servers, such as Verizon, Hotmail,® and Yahoo,® require SMTP authentication or user authentication and will not send email messages from Remote Site Manager.

Remote Site Manager will not work with dial-up connections that require you to log onto an online network before surfing the web, such as MSN, NetZero, and AOL. There is one exception. You can use any dial-up service, including MSN, NetZero, and AOL, if you meet these three requirements:

• You have a dial-up connection with unlimited Internet access

• You are connecting to the logger via PC interface cable

• You have a dedicated phone line for dialing up, or don’t mind the phone line being used for long periods



To set up FTP, email, or both:

1. Click the Set up Email and FTP Data Transfers button on the Add Site tab on the Remote Profiles window. This opens the Email and FTP Setup window.

2. Click the arrows to select how you want to send the auto-readout data : via email only, FTP only, or both FTP and email.

To set up FTP: Note: If you are using FTP through a business or school, contact the network administrator for details on what to enter in the following fields.

1. In the FTP Address field, type the address for the FTP site where you want to transfer the files. (example: ftp.abc.ftpsite.com)

2. In the Remote Directory field, type the location on the FTP site where the files should be saved (example: public_html/modem data). Note: The information in this field is case-sensitive; be sure to match the exact spelling and capitalization in use on the site.

3. In the FTP Username field, type the username needed to log on to the FTP site.

4. In the FTP Password field, type the password needed to access the FTP site.



To set up email: 1. In the Outgoing (SMTP) Server field enter the name of your email provider’s outgoing mail

server (the server responsible for sending your emails). This server may be referred to by name (such as smtp.abc.com) or by IP address (12.345.678.90). If you are setting this up within a business or school, contact your email account administrator for the server name. If you are using email through an internet/email provider, visit the provider’s web site and look for the server name, or check within your email client. See the important note in the beginning of this section on page 16 for details on the type of servers Remote Site Manager supports.

2. In the Return Address field, type the email address you want to use as the “sent from” name for messages sent with auto-readout (example [email protected]). Typically, this would be your email address. Important: Make sure the address you choose uses the email SMTP server you specified.

3. In the Email Recipient(s) field, type the email addresses for each of the people you want to receive auto-readout data, including yourself. Separate each address with a comma. At least one recipient address is required in this field (example: [email protected],[email protected]).

4. In the Email Rate field, enter how often you want the auto-readouts sent to the recipients. The default is 1, which means every time a file is successfully saved during auto-readout, it is also sent via email. If you enter 2, the data will only be emailed every other auto-readout. If you enter 3, the data will be emailed every third readout, and so on.

Dial up Internet access If you are accessing the Internet by dialing up through your computer modem, you will also need to configure Dial-up Internet Access in order to use the email/FTP feature. Important: This option is not available for all Internet providers. See the note about Internet access on page 16.

To set up dial up Internet access:

1. Check the Dial-up box.



2. In the Dial-up Adapter field, type the name of the Dial-up Adapter. Look this up in the Control Panel, double-click Network and Dial-up Connections (on some operating systems this might be called “Dial-up Networking” instead). Enter the same name in Dial-up Adapter field as listed for the Dial-up icon, which in this example is “Dial-up Connection.”

3. In the Dial-up Username field, type the username needed to access your internet account.

4. In the Dial-up Password field, type the password needed to access your internet account.

Important: If your computer is configured to automatically receive Windows updates, you will need to disable it to use auto-readout. In the Control Panel, double-click Automatic Updates and turn off the update feature.

Once you’re finished setting up email, FTP, and/or dial-up Internet access, click OK to return to the Add Sites tab. Click OK again to close the profile. Note: If you are using dial-up Internet access, it may take several minutes to transfer text and XML files. BoxCar Pro (.dtf) files and interpolated XML files are smaller and take less time to transfer. See Working with XML files on page 44.

Important note about dial-up access and email:

If you access the Internet via dial-up and are unable to receive email from Remote Site Manager, it is likely because your provider’s SMTP server requires a second level of authentication, which is a verification of your username and password. Typically, Internet providers only require authentication once you first sign on. However, some providers require authentication a second time when you access your email. At the time of printing, Verizon.net is one provider that requires a second authentication. Remote Site Manager does not support the second authentication from the email SMTP server. One solution to this issue is to request that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) turn off SMTP authentication for your dial-up account. The ISP should be willing to do this as the second, authentication-based username and password for email is normally disabled for dial-up accounts. Another solution is to sign up for basic dial-up services that do not require SMTP authentication. At the time of printing, EarthLink is one national ISP that offers dial-up services without SMTP authentication.

The name listed here must match the name entered in the Dial-up Adapter field



Editing a profile To make changes to a site profile:

1. Click the Set Up Remote Sites Profile button in the main Remote Site Manager window.

2. On the Remote Sites tab, select the site profile that you want to change and click the Edit button.

3. Make your changes and then click OK.

Deleting a profile To delete a profile:

1. Click the Set Up Remote Sites Profile button in the main screen.

2. Select the site profile that you want to delete and click the Delete button.

3. A message confirms whether you are sure you want to delete the profile.

4. Click Yes if you’re sure, or No if you want to cancel. If you click Yes, the profile is deleted and then removed from the Remote Sites tab.

Chapter 3: Communicating with the logger


Chapter 3 Communicating with the logger

This chapter explains the process of communicating with the logger via land line modem, Radio Modem, and local port. Specifically, it covers how to:

Connect

Get the status

Launch

Read out

Disconnect

Connecting Before connecting, make sure you have configured the logger for use with the Radio Modem or Remote Modem as described in the How to create a site profile section beginning on page 11.

1. Connect to the logger one of two ways.

Connect via the Remote Sites tab: 1. Click the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button from the main Remote Site

Manager window. 2. On the Remote Sites tab, select the profile you wish to use and click the Connect

button. This opens the Remote Connection window, where the connection process takes place.

Connect via the Remote Connection window: 1. Click the Contact Remote Site button on the main Remote Site Manager screen.



2. From the Site Profile list, select the profile you wish to use to connect (or choose Local Port or Wireless Port if you want to connect to the logger directly instead of using a profile).

3. Click the connect icon on the toolbar.

2. Once you’ve clicked the Connect button in the Remote Profiles window or the Connect icon in the Remote Connection window, one of the following sequences will begin depending on the connection route being used.

For this connection: The following takes place:

Land Line Modem (Remote Modem)

1. The computer modem will initialize and then dial out to the phone number listed in the profile. The Modem Status window displays a messaging indicating the number being dialed, as shown below.

2. Once the computer modem contacts the Remote Modem, the computer will establish a link to the Remote Modem and then contact the logger.

Tips for land line modem (Remote Modem) connection: • If the computer modem gets a busy signal when attempting to call the

Remote Modem, the modem status will display a “BUSY” message and then the modem will automatically disconnect.

• If the computer modem does not get an answer when it calls the Remote Modem within 90 seconds, the modem status will display a “90 Second Timeout” message and then the modem will automatically



For this connection: The following takes place: disconnect. Note: If a connection cannot be established, it could mean that there was a bad connection or that the modem batteries are depleted and need to be replaced.

• If you have the volume turned up on your modem, listen for the number of rings before the Remote Modem “answers” the call. Two or three rings indicate that the primary battery power is in use. Four or five rings indicate that the Remote Modem battery level is low or it is using backup battery power. See the Remote Modem User’s Guide for more information about primary and backup power.

• You can adjust modem settings by selecting Preferences from the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen. In the Preferences window, you may select tone or pulse dialing, set the modem to wait for a dial tone before calling, add a modem initialization string if necessary, adjust the modem volume, and manually select the modem port if the software does not automatically detect it. Note about the modem initialization string: It is recommended that you do not use the initialization string unless absolutely necessary because it may cause problems with logger communications and readouts. If the modem initialization string is used, you must follow these guidelines. All commands in the string must be compatible with the modem used to call out. Do NOT place an “AT” anywhere in the string; the software automatically appends an “AT” to the beginning of the string for you. If using multiple commands, simply type them in with no spaces between them. Any command in the modem initialization string overrides all other settings in the preferences. For example, if the modem speaker volume is set to high, and M0L0 is entered into the initialization string, the modem speaker will actually be turned off. M0 turns the speaker off, and L0 sets the speaker to the lowest possible volume.

Radio Modem If you are connecting to the logger via a profile that you set up, the software will set a transmit address and then establish a wireless link and automatically connect. If you selected Wireless Port from the Site Profile list on the Remote Connection toolbar, you will be prompted for a COM port. Select the appropriate port and click OK. Then, select the correct channel and module address for the Radio Modem and click OK. Important: These numbers must match the numbers previously assigned to the Radio Modem during remote module configuration. You cannot enter different numbers at this point and reassign them to the Radio Modem.

Tips for Radio Modem connection

• The Radio Modem base station must be connected to the correct COM port as set in the site profile or selected from the Choose Port screen.

• The logger must be connected to the Radio Modem. • The Radio Modem must be within range of the base station, factoring

in distance, interference, and antennas in use and their orientation. If



For this connection: The following takes place: in doubt, move it closer and verify operation at a close range before deploying it at the desired location.

• When the batteries are low, a warning message occurs during the connection process.

Local Port If you have not selected a COM port, you will be prompted to choose a port. Select the appropriate port and click OK.

The connection process goes very quickly via the local port.

3. Once the connection to the logger is established, the software will then retrieve information from the logger and display the status.

While you are connected to the logger, the light on the toolbar will be green (it is red when not connected) and a “Connected” message appears in the Remote Connection window.

To help minimize connection time and to conserve battery power in Remote and Radio Modems, the Remote Site Manager displays a disconnect countdown after two minutes of inactivity as shown below. You will then have 30 seconds to either click Stay Connected or Disconnect Now. If you do not select either choice, the software will automatically disconnect once the countdown is complete.



Checking status Immediately after a successful connection, the status window is displayed. The logger status is also displayed after every launch and read out.

• Click the Hide button to hide the logger status window.

• Then, from the Window menu, select Status Window or click the Get Status icon on the toolbar to show the status again. Note: The items in the status window do not automatically update. For current status, you must click the Get status icon on the toolbar or the Refresh button on the Status window.

Logger status tab The following information is reported on the Logger Status tab:

• The profile you are using to connect to the logger (Logger 1 in this example)

• The type of logger (Model), serial number, and part number.

• The deployment number for the current launch (21 in this example)

• The total memory capacity for the logger (512 k); this does not represent the memory currently available



• The description that was entered for this deployment when the logger was launched (“northeast field” in this example)

• The current status of the logger. There are four status messages displayed: 1. Launched and logging data every <logging interval>. 2. Ready to be launched. 3. Launched and will start logging at a specific date and time. 3. Launched and waiting for button start (if connected via local port only)

• Remaining logger battery capacity. If alkaline batteries are in use, the remaining capacity is displayed as a percentage from 0 to 100. If lithium batteries are in use, the capacity is displayed as good or bad. For more information on logger batteries, see Launch screen details on page 28.

• The current remote battery power in use, either primary or backup power for a Remote Modem, or good or low for a Radio Modem. Refer to the Remote Modem User’s Guide and Radio Modem Operation Manual for details on power information.

Sensor status tab Click the Sensor Status tab to display the current readings for each of the sensors currently plugged into the logger.

• You can switch between Metric and U.S. units for the sensors in the status window.

• Check the “Retrieved at” time and date to see the last time the current readings were retrieved (this does not indicate the logging frequency). To update the current readings, click the Refresh button.

• If the logger has not started logging, you can add or remove sensors. Click the Add Sensor(s) button, which appears when the logger is not logging, to update the list of attached sensors when adding or removing sensors.



Launching Once connected to the logger, you can launch it with the parameters you choose. To launch the logger:

1. From the Logger menu, select Launch or click the Launch icon on the toolbar.

2. If the logger is NOT currently logging: the following message appears. Click Do Not Launch to remain in the Logger Status screen, or click Launch to continue to the Launch screen.

If the logger IS currently logging: the following warning appears. Click Do Not Launch to remain in the Logger Status screen, or click Launch to stop the logger and continue to the Launch screen.

3. Fill in the following information in the Launch screen (see Launch Screen Details on page 28 for details on all of the parameters you can set in the Launch screen)

• Enter a description

• Make sure battery type is correct

• Enter a logging interval, and sampling interval if appropriate

• Select a start mode

• Select whether to wrap around when full

• Check current readings of sensors

• Edit sensor locations

• Add deployment notes



4. Click Start in the Launch screen. This launches the logger. After the launch, you will then see an updated status in the Logger Status indicating one of the following:

• The logger is launched and logging at the interval you selected (if you chose Start Logging Now)

• The logger is delayed until a specified date and time (if you selected Delayed Start)

• The logger is launched and waiting for button start (if you selected Button Start, which is available for local port connections only)

• The logger is ready to be launched (if you selected Save Settings in Logger for Later Launch or clicked Cancel in the Launch screen)

5. Click Disconnect when you are done. Note that after you disconnect, the logger status window remains open displaying the status from the last connection (unless you hid the status window).

Launch screen details The Logger Information section of the Launch screen displays the logger name, serial number, part number, and memory capacity. It also displays:

Launch screen component

Description

Deployment The number of times the logger has been launched, including the current deployment. Every time the logger is launched this number increases by one.

Description Type a description of the deployment (up to 40 characters). By default, the last description entered will appear in this field. The description name is also the default filename during a manual readout (auto-readout uses the name set in the remote site profile instead of the description entered here).




Description

Battery This gauge displays the remaining battery capacity in the logger. For alkaline batteries, the gauge displays the percentage of capacity remaining. For lithium batteries, the gauge displays a status of either good or bad. See the HOBO Weather Station User’s Guide or HOBO Micro Station User’s Guide for more details.

Be sure to select the appropriate battery type (lithium or alkaline) when launching the logger. Otherwise, the logger battery status will not be accurately reflected in the logger status window.

Logging Interval This indicates how often the logger will record data (for example, every 30 minutes, hour, etc.) from all connected sensors. The minimum logging interval is 1 second and the maximum is 18 hours. Use either the predefined logging intervals or select “Custom” and define your own interval in the following format: HH:MM:SS. Keep in mind that the faster the logger interval, the more quickly the batteries will be depleted, particularly if there are several sensors attached.

Duration This field displays approximately how long the logger will collect data based on the memory size, the logging interval, and the number of sensors currently connected. The duration is listed in number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds as long as “Wrap Around When Full” (explained later) is not selected. Battery life may limit duration before the memory is full. If Wrap Around When Full is selected, the duration is listed as “continuous logging.”

Sampling Interval The sampling interval sets how often some sensors will take measurements. When this interval is selected, measurements are retrieved from the sensors at the specified sampling interval and are averaged together and then recorded as one data point at the logging interval. Note that the individual data points that comprise the average are not saved; only the final, averaged data point is saved. If you have at least one sensor that supports measurement averaging, set the sampling interval to one of the predefined settings. Valid sampling intervals are between 1 second and 4 minutes. The sampling interval must be less than or equal to the logging interval.

Important: Sampling rates shorter than 1 minute will reduce the logger’s battery life. Sampling intervals of 1 second will deplete the logger’s battery in two to four weeks. If you do not have any sensors that support measurement averaging, set the sampling interval to “Off” as there will be no benefit and using it will increase battery consumption.

Check the sensor’s manual to determine if your sensor supports measurement averaging.

Start Logging Now Select this option if you want to start recording measurements as soon as you are finished configuring the logger. With this option selected, the system will begin logging data for all attached sensors once you click the Start button on the Launch screen.

Date/Time The software displays the date and time according to the computer. Upon launch, the logger’s clock is set in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is determined from your computer’s clock. The logger also records your computer’s time zone and daylight savings time settings, which are used to display data in local time upon offload. UTC, colloquially known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), is the time based on atomic clocks that is broadcast by government radio stations. The www.time.gov web site is one resource for accurate time settings based on UTC. Before launching the logger, make sure your computer’s clock is set to the correct date and time, and the time zone and daylight savings time preferences are correct in the Date/Time Control Panel.

Delayed Start Select this option to postpone the launch until an exact date and time. Type the desired date and start time in the specified fields. You can add sensors to the logger any time before the specified start time.




Description

Button Start (Available for Local Port only)

This option is only available if you are connecting via local port. Once you’re ready to begin logging, press the button on the logger for 1 second. You can add a sensor any time before you press the Start Logging button. Note: Make sure the total number of sensors you add does not exceed the 15-channel limit described in Sensor Information below.

Save Settings in Logger for Later Launch

Select this option when you want to save the current settings for a future launch, but not start the launch immediately. Any customizations, such as descriptions and deployment notes, will be saved. This is useful if you will be launching the logger at a later time with HandCar® software.

Wrap Around When Full When this box is checked, new data will overwrite the oldest data in the logger sequentially one sample at a time when the memory is full. The logger will continue logging indefinitely until the logger is either offloaded and stopped or the battery fails. If this box is not checked, the logger will stop logging when the memory is full and preserve acquired data.

Sensor Information Use this section to verify that the correct sensors are connected and working properly. Select either English or Metric to change the current units displayed. Click Add Sensors if you want to update the readings, or if you insert/remove sensors and want to update the list. For sensors with more than one data channel (such as temp/RH), both channels are displayed. For each sensor, the serial number, location, property, value, and unit is displayed. Location is a descriptive field you can use to help differentiate between sensors and record where a sensor was placed. Click the word <edit> for the sensor whose location you wish to change, and then type in a new location name up to 35 characters. Note: The HOBO Weather Station logger supports up to 15 channels.

Deployment Notes Use the deployment notes section to enter information about the system setup at the time of launch, or any other specific notes you want to record. There is a 2000 character maximum (about one page of text). Deployment notes are stored in the logger and saved in the datafile (.dtf) only, which is the BoxCar Pro compatible file. To view the Deployment Notes in BoxCar Pro, open the View Details window (from the Window menu, select View Details) and then scroll to the Deployment Notes folder.

Reading out data You can manually read out (also called offload or download) data from a logger at any time, whether it is currently logging or not. The readout process described in this section is different than the automatic readout process used with the auto-readout schedule. For information on auto-readout, see Chapter 4.

To read out data: 1. Connect to the logger via a land line modem, Radio Modem, or local port.

2. Once connected, from the Logger menu, select Readout or click the Readout icon on the toolbar.

3. The following message prompts you to either continue logging while reading out the logger or stop logging before reading out data. Click either Continue Logging or Stop Logging.



4. You are prompted for a file name. The description you entered in the launch screen will be the default file name. Accept the default file name and directory or type in a new file name and navigate to a different directory. Click Save.

Important: The Remote Site Manager keeps track of whether you’ve already read out the logger during the current launch. New data may simply be added to existing files created by a previous readout of the current deployment. Otherwise you will be prompted to make sure you want to overwrite an existing file with the same name. For complete details on how the Remote Site Manager saves files, refer to the File Management section later in this chapter.

5. The data is then offloaded from the logger. While the readout sequence is taking place, a message indicates the downloading progress. This can last from a few seconds to several minutes depending on how much data was recorded by the logger and when the last readout took place. For example, a full logger that has never been read out may take up to 20 minutes to offload.

6. Once the readout is finished, the data is converted to the file types selected in the Preferences screen: BoxCar Pro .dtf files, tab-delimited .txt files, and/or .xml files. This conversion always takes place to keep the master files stored by Remote Site Manager current. This may take several minutes. For long conversions, the connection may automatically time out to save batteries in the remote logger and modem. If the connection is still live after the conversion, the logger status is updated in this screen. If you opted to continue logging, the status will indicate the logger is launched and logging data at the interval you specified. If you chose to stop logging, the status will indicate the logger is ready to be launched.



7. Click the Disconnect icon on the toolbar or the Disconnect Now (conserve battery power) button on the status window. Note that after you disconnect, the logger status window remains open displaying the status from the last connection (unless you hid the status window).

8. Open the text (.txt) file in Notepad or WordPad, or import the text file into a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel. Open the datafile (.dtf) in BoxCar Pro 4.3 or higher to analyze the logged data. By default, files are saved to the directory where the Remote Site Manager is installed (C:\Program Files\Onset Computer Corporation\HOBO Weather Station) unless you selected a different directory.

For additional details on viewing files and file management, see Chapter 5.

Readout preferences (data formatting) Data can be saved three ways: BoxCar Pro .dtf files, tab-delimited .txt files, and XML files. Data can also be saved in either U.S. or Metric units. To change the readout preferences:

1. Select the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen and select Preferences.

2. Select at least one format: BoxCar Pro, Tab Delimited, and/or XML.

3. Select either Metric or U.S for the Readout Units. Note: this is only necessary if you have selected text or XML as one of your readout formats. BoxCar Pro allows you to switch between Metric and U.S. units each time you open the datafile.

4. Click OK.

Note: These changes affect both manual readouts and auto-readouts.

For information on Advanced XML Formatting, see Working with XML files on page 44.

Disconnecting When you are done launching, reading out, and/or checking the logger status, there are several ways to end your connection with the logger:

• Click the Disconnect icon on the toolbar



• Click the Disconnect Now (conserve battery power) button on the Logger Status tab

• Click the Done button on the toolbar

If you don’t disconnect, a countdown appears after two minutes of inactivity indicating you will be automatically disconnected after 30 seconds. Although this countdown appears regardless of the connection method, it is primarily designed to help prevent draining the Remote Modem and Radio Modem batteries by remaining connected inadvertently. When the countdown appears, you can click Stay Connected if you aren’t finished working with the logger, or click Disconnect Now to disconnect immediately. If you don’t click anything, the connection will automatically end in 30 seconds.

Chapter 4: Auto-readout


Chapter 4 Auto-readout

Auto-readout allows you to automatically offload logger data on a schedule that you specify. This chapter explains how to:

Start the auto-readout schedule

Deactivate the auto-readout schedule

Use auto-readout with multiple loggers

Remove a logger from the auto-readout schedule

Check the auto-readout log

Starting auto-readout Before you can activate the auto-readout schedule, you must first set up a remote site profile, which stores information about how you connect to the logger and the auto-readout settings, including the frequency of the auto-readout, when the first auto-readout should begin, where auto-readout files are saved, and any FTP or email settings. For complete details on setting up a remote site profile with auto-readout settings, see Chapter 2.

After you’ve set up a remote site profile to utilize the auto-readout schedule:

1. Give the remote site profile a few seconds to appear in the auto-readout list on the main Remote Site Manager screen.

2. Once the profile appears in the list, select the Activate box, which activates the auto-readout schedule. If you set up the remote site profile to have an immediate start time, the first auto-readout takes place as soon as you click the Activate checkbox. Otherwise, the first auto-readout begins at the start time you entered in the remote site profile.



3. After clicking the Activate checkbox, check the Status field at the right of the Remote Site Manager main screen to see the progress of the auto-readout. The Remote Site Manager will contact the logger, check the battery source and report a low battery if necessary, and then read out the logger. If an error is reported in the Status field, check the auto-readout log for details on the failure (see Auto-readout log on page 39). Once the readout is complete, it will automatically disconnect.

4. After the readout is complete, check the Successes column, which tallies successful versus total auto-readouts. You can check the auto-readout log for further details about the success or failure of the readout (see Auto-Readout Log on page 39). If the auto-readout was a success and you’ve configured FTP and email settings in the remote site profile, then the files should have also been sent to the FTP and/or email addresses you specified. If the Successes Column displays the message “Check Logger,” it could mean the logger is not connected or not logging (because it is full, wasn’t launched, or is in delay or button start mode).

5. Open the text (.txt) file in Notepad or WordPad, import it into a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel, or open the datafile (.dtf) in BoxCar Pro 4.3 or higher to analyze the logged data. The files were saved to the location you selected in the remote site profile. (Click Set Up Remote Site Profiles, select the profile and click the Edit tab to check the directory and file name if you can’t remember it). For additional details on viewing files and file management, see Chapter 5.

The second auto-readout may take place sooner than the regularly scheduled interval, but subsequent readouts will take place at the regularly scheduled interval, unless there was a failed readout and you have configured the software to automatically reconnect after a failed readout (see the next section). If you want the readout to occur at specific times, be sure to set the desired start time in the profile.

Important: When auto-readout is activated, you must:

• Keep the Remote Site Manager software open and

• Leave your computer on. If there is a power failure or your computer is turned off, you will need to restart the Remote Site Manager and activate the auto-readout schedule again.

Note for Windows 98 dial-up users: If you see a Dial-up Connection window during auto-readout and FTP transfer, select the Save password and Connect automatically checkboxes as shown below. These two settings must be selected for auto-readout to continue without a prompt (otherwise you will be asked to select a dial-up connection every time auto-readout runs).



Running in background You can set up the software to run in the background so that it doesn’t take up space on the desktop or Windows taskbar while auto-readout is activated. From the Operate menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen, select Run in Background (SysTray). This will add the following icon to the system tray portion of the taskbar. Note: This selection is not available while a readout is in progress.

Reconnecting after failed readouts If a failure occurs during auto-readout, you can configure Remote Site Manager to either try connecting again automatically or waiting until the next regularly scheduled auto-readout.

To configure an automatic reconnect after a failed auto-readout:

1. From the File menu, select Preferences in the main Remote Site Manager screen

2. In the Preferences screen, clear the checkmark in the Do NOT reconnect after failed readouts box.

3. Select how many minutes Remote Site Manager should wait between reconnect attempts after a failed readout (failed readouts can occur if the computer is unable to establish a connection with the logger, such as when the modem gets a busy signal), and the maximum number of attempts if a failed readout occurs.

By default, the “Time between reconnect attempts after failed readouts” is set to 5 minutes, and the “Maximum # of Attempts” is set to 3. This means instead of waiting for its next regularly scheduled auto-readout time after a failure, auto-readout will try to connect again in five minutes, a maximum of 3 times. Once the readout is successful, however, it will resume with the next regularly scheduled time. You can also check the Do NOT reconnect after failed readouts box if you do not want auto-readout to try reconnecting after failed readout attempts.

Remote Site Manager icon; software running in background



4. Click OK when done.

Readout preferences (data formatting) Data can be saved three ways: BoxCar Pro .dtf files, tab-delimited .txt files, and XML files. Data can also be saved in either U.S. or Metric units. To change the readout preferences:

1. Select the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen and select Preferences.

2. Select at least one format: BoxCar Pro, Tab Delimited, and/or XML.

3. Select either Metric or U.S for the Readout Units. Note: this is only necessary if you have selected text or XML as one of your readout formats. BoxCar Pro allows you to switch between Metric and U.S. units each time you open the datafile.

4. Click OK.

Note: These changes affect both manual readouts and auto-readouts.

Deactivating auto-readout You can deactivate the auto-readout schedule at any time by clearing the Activate box on the main Remote Site Manager screen.

This switches the auto-readout schedule back to inactive:



Note: If you clear the Activate box while an auto-readout is in progress, you must wait until any ongoing tasks are complete before the schedule becomes inactive.

Auto-readout of multiple loggers The auto-readout schedule can include more than one remote site profile. Use the auto-readout schedule to contact multiple remote loggers, each with its own readout frequency.

The procedure to set up auto-readout of multiple loggers is the same as the procedure for one logger described in the Starting Auto-readout section earlier in this chapter:

1. Set up each of the remote site profiles as described in Chapter 2.

2. Make sure each profile appears in the auto-readout schedule on the main Remote Site Manager screen.

3. Click the Activate box to activate the auto-readout schedule.

4. The first auto-readout for each profile will take place at the start time you designated for each when you set up the profile. After that, each auto-readout will occur at the regularly scheduled “next readout” time indicated on the schedule.

When multiple profiles are set up in the schedule with the same auto-readout frequency, the Remote Site Manager will continue down the list and read out each logger, even if the scheduled readout time has passed. It will not return to the top of the list until all the scheduled readouts have been completed.

Removing a logger from the auto-readout schedule To remove a logger from the auto-readout schedule, you must edit the logger’s remote site profile.

1. Click the Set Up Remote Site Profiles button in the main Remote Site Manager screen.

2. On the Remote Sites tab, select the profile you wish to remove from the auto-readout schedule and click the Edit button.

3. Click the Utilize Schedule checkbox to clear the checkmark. This disables the auto-readout settings you have configured. All settings, however, are saved if you want to add the profile back to the auto-readout schedule in the future.

4. Click OK.

5. Back in the Remote Sites tab, click Done.

6. After a few seconds, the profile is removed from the auto-readout schedule. Any scheduled readouts for other loggers will take place normally.

To add the logger back to the auto-readout schedule, repeat the steps above, clicking the Utilize Schedule checkbox in step 3 to enable the auto-readout settings again.

Auto-readout log The auto-readout log keeps a record of all attempted auto-readouts, both successful and failed. Use the auto-readout log to check on auto-readouts that took place while you were away from your computer or to identify why a failure occurred.

To access the auto-readout log:

1. From the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen, select Open/Export Log.



2. Logs are sorted by month, and the current month is displayed automatically. Select a different month if desired.

The log shows the following information:

• Date and time of the auto-readout

• Name of the remote site profile used for the readout

• Connection route (phone number, wireless COM port, or COM port used)

• Connection status (Connected, Timeout, Port failure)

• Logger communication (OK or Failure)

• Modem battery level (NA, Primary Power, Backup Power)

• Logger battery level (NA, a Percentage, or Good/Bad)

• Readout status (Success, Not Logging, Delay Mode, Button Mode, or NA) if NA see Logger communication

• Email status (NA, Not set up, Sent, Not Sent, or Error)

• FTP status (NA, Not set up, Sent, or Error)

To export the auto-readout log to a text file:

1. From the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen, select Open/Export Log.

2. Select the month you wish to export.

3. Click the Export button.

4. If there are multiple months and you only want to export one, click the Single File Export button and select the appropriate month. If the Single File Export button is not visible, click the Multi-File Export button and then choose Single File Export)



If there are multiple months that you want to export, click the Multi-File Export button (if this is not visible, click the Single File Export button and then choose Multi-File Export). Select the dates of the first and last months you want to export. All logs, including the ones selected and in between, will be exported.

If there is only one log, only one choice is available.

5. Select the directory (target folder) where you want to save the logs. By default, this is C:\Program Files\Onset Computer Corporation\HOBO Weather Station\RSM if you accepted the default directory during installation. Click the folder icon to browse to another directory or type the complete directory path.

6. Click Export.

Note: This Export function exports the auto-readout logs only and it does not export any measurement data.

7. A message indicates that the export is successful and where to find the files. Click OK when done viewing the export results.

Exported auto-readout logs are saved to text files, which you can open in Notepad or WordPad, or import into a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft® Excel, allowing you to better analyze the data.

Chapter 5: Working with files


Chapter 5 Working with files

This chapter explains how to work with the data files created upon readout, including:

Viewing logger data in text, XML, and BoxCar Pro files

Remote Site Manager file management

Viewing logger data When you read out the logger—manually or via auto-readout—the data can be saved in three file types:

• A tab-delimited text file

• A BoxCar Pro file (.dtf for use with BoxCar Pro 4.3 or higher)

• An XML file

You can change this by clicking the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen and selecting Preferences. See page 32 or 38 for more details.

Working with text files You can open the text (.txt) file in Notepad or WordPad, or import the tab-delimited file into a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel. This is an example of a text file with logger data: Logger Serial Number: 541170 Launch Count: 25 Launch Description: November launch Time Zone: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) - 5.00 hrs. Date_Time Wind Speed_580933_(m/s) Gust Speed_580933_(m/s) Wind Direction_580933_(ø) PAR_456528_(uE) Pressure_533189_(mb) Temperature_549381_(C) Rain_8282002_(mm) 11/22/2002 15:07:00 0.93 1.67 21.18 36.25 994.65 9.42 0.00 11/22/2002 15:37:00 0.93 2.97 26.82 23.75 993.65 9.42 0.00 11/22/2002 16:07:00 0.74 2.41 31.06 3.75 994.15 9.42 0.00 11/22/2002 16:37:00 0.56 1.67 16.94 1.25 993.65 9.42 0.00 11/22/2002 17:07:00 0.56 1.86 22.59 1.25 993.65 9.42 0.00 11/22/2002 17:37:00 0.37 1.67 43.76 1.25 993.65 9.42 0.25 11/22/2002 18:07:00 0.56 1.86 81.88 1.25 993.15 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 18:37:00 0.56 2.23 67.76 1.25 992.75 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 19:07:00 0.19 1.30 139.76 1.25 992.65 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 19:37:00 0.19 0.93 98.82 1.25 992.45 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 20:07:00 0.19 1.30 86.12 1.25 991.75 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 20:37:00 0.37 1.30 170.82 1.25 991.55 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 21:07:00 0.56 2.23 197.65 1.25 991.15 9.03 0.00 11/22/2002 21:37:00 1.11 3.15 189.18 1.25 990.95 9.82 0.00 11/22/2002 22:07:00 1.67 3.53 206.12 1.25 990.35 10.21 0.00 11/22/2002 22:37:00 1.86 3.90 224.47 1.25 989.55 10.60 0.00 11/22/2002 23:07:00 2.41 5.20 231.53 1.25 989.05 10.99 0.00

The top of the file lists the following information:



• The serial number for the logger

• The deployment number (launch count)

• The description entered in the Launch screen when you launched the logger

• The time zone of the computer used to launch the logger—the time zone is noted in hours offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is colloquially known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In the example above, the time zone is -5.00 hrs from UTC, which is the Eastern time zone when daylight savings time is not in effect.

The text file then lists the headings for each of the columns in the file. This includes the date and time followed by each of the sensors connected to the logger. The sensor column heading includes the sensor type (the property being measured), the sensor serial number, and the unit of measurement for that property. Within each respective column, the timestamp or data point recorded at each logging interval is listed for all the sensors. Note that there is not a way to set the order of measurement channels. The sequence is based on the serial number. For a given set of sensors, the measurements will stay in the same sequence whenever the logger is relaunched.

You can import this data into a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel, for further analysis.

The unit of measurement saved in the text file is determined by the Preferences.

1. From the File menu in the main Remote Site Manager screen, select Preferences.

2. Choose either Metric or U.S. for readout units and click OK.

Whichever unit of measurement you choose will then be used for all manual and auto-readouts unless you change the unit preference again. Note that BoxCar Pro files allow you to select the units for measurements each time you open them.

Note: Not all the information available in BoxCar Pro 4.3 or higher is available in the text file. For example, deployment notes and details about launch parameters are only available in the BoxCar Pro file.

Working with BoxCar Pro files You can open datafiles (.dtf) in BoxCar Pro 4.3 or higher. To do this:

1. From the Start menu, select Programs, Onset Applications, BoxCar Pro 4.3, or double-click the BoxCar Pro 4.3 icon on the desktop.

2. From the File menu, select Open.

3. Navigate to the directory where the .dtf file is located, select the appropriate file and click Open.

4. Select the series you wish to view in the graph and click OK.

5. The data is then displayed in a graph in BoxCar Pro. To view a list of the individual data points, click the Window menu, and select View Details.

For additional information about working with BoxCar Pro files, refer to the BoxCar Pro User’s Guide.

Working with XML files XML files are available to help make your data easily imported into various local or online applications. Onset has provided a Weather Web Utility with Remote Site Manager that uses these files to allow Internet access and real-time display of logger data. See the Weather Web Utility manual for more details.

If you plan to use the Weather Web Utility, which is designed to show only the latest daily or hourly data trends, you must select Interpolate from the Advanced XML Formatting screen from the Preferences



window. By selecting Interpolate, the data is interpolated to only 75 points for each sensor within the selected time span. If you do not plan to use the Weather Web Utility, you may select Do Not Interpolate, which will allow the creation of XML files with all of the sensor data recorded by the logger within the selected time span.

For more information on XML, visit the World Wide Web Consortium website at www.w3.org.

Remote Site Manager file management For both auto-readout and manual readout, the Remote Site Manager automatically keeps track of whether you have already read out the logger during the current launch, and if applicable, appends the new data to an existing file rather than create a new file for you. Data is appended to the same file until it reaches 512k in size. Once the file reaches 512k, new file(s) are formed and the old data is saved under the same filename with an "old" suffix followed by an underscore and a sequence number starting with zero.

To better understand how this works, consider the following example. The logger is launched with Wrap Around When Full enabled and is continuously offloaded with Remote Site Manager, saving the data in both BoxCar Pro and text files. This creates two files:

• Data_0.txt

• Data_0.dtf

These files grow with every new offload, until the BoxCar Pro file surpasses 512k in size. At that time, all old data is put into two new files called “data_old_0.txt” and “data_old_0.dtf.” New data replaces the original files data.txt and data.dtf.

So, the files stored on the computer are:

• data_old_0.txt (oldest data)

• data_old_0.dtf (oldest data)

• data_0.txt (newest data)

• data_0.dtf (newest data)

The data_old files are approximately 512k in size, and the normal data files only have the latest data in them, and will typically be much smaller.

As time passes, the newest data files may again reach 512k in size. When this happens, other “old” files will be made, resulting in the following:

• data_old_0.txt (oldest data)

• data_old_0.dtf (oldest data)

• data_old_1.txt (most recent old data)

• data_old_1.dtf (most recent old data)

• data_0.txt (newest data)

• data_0.dtf (newest data)



Additional file management tips • Auto-readout uses the file name set in the remote site profile followed by “_1” to save the files. If

you do not change the file name used from one launch to another, the Remote Site Manager will increment the file name to “_2” then “_3” and so on with each new launch.

• Manual readouts use the description entered in the Launch screen for the default file name and gives you the opportunity to change this name when you save the file. If you did not change the description from one launch to another and you do not specify a new name during the readout, the following message appears:

Choosing another filename protects the data from a prior readout. Overwriting the file will erase the data from the prior readout.

• If the logger has been launched with Wrap Around When Full enabled and the logger wraps completely between readouts, the original data file from an earlier readout becomes data_old_[number] and all new data replaces the normal data files.

• If you are saving XML files, the XML file is continuously overwritten by default, unless you change the preferences. Therefore, if you want to preserve all data read out from the logger, you will generally want to store it in text or BoxCar Pro format in addition to XML format.

Chapter 6: Troubleshooting


Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

The following chart lists common problems you may encounter with Remote Site Manager and possible resolutions.

Problem Resolution

There are values of -888.888 in the BoxCar Pro .dtf file.

These errors are the result of a smart sensor that is malfunctioning. The logger automatically tags any data point where it does not receive valid data from a smart sensor with the -888.888 value to indicate that this is a “missing” data point. Check the smart sensor connections and cables. The problem is most frequently the result of damaged and/or wet sensor cables and housings.

There are random errors in the data file

If your data file contains values that are not -888.888 but appear to be random values, you may have a corrupt master file. As long as you have not relaunched the HOBO logger, you should be able to recover the correct data from the logger. Remote Site Manager stores a backup copy of the data each time you read out the logger. These “master” files are extra copies of the data in addition to the files you save to your working directory. If you notice errors in the data file, it may be because these master files have been corrupted and need to be purged. To do this, go to the Master Files subdirectory where you installed Remote Site Manager. The default directory is C:\Program Files\Onset Computer Corporation\HOBO Weather Station\RSM\Master Files. Delete the files stored in the Master Files directory. Be careful not to delete the Logs subdirectory or the Master Files directory itself. The next time you download the weather station, the master file will be updated. If you continue to have errors in the data file, there is probably something else wrong. Consult Technical Support.

The end time of my data file does not correspond with the time I downloaded the logger

• Check that your computer clock was correct at the time of launch or that you did not change time zones between launch and readout.

• You may have a wet/defective crystal in the logger. If the logger is in very wet or extremely humid conditions for prolonged periods, the crystal may stop and will resume when it dries up. This will result in a discontinuity in the data file. This discontinuity is typically most obvious in the temperature data file where an anomalous change will occur in temperature over one interval.

The units in my .txt and/or .xml file(s) are not correct

Units for data files are specified in the preferences. While units can also be selected in the Launch screen for display purposes, the .txt and .xml file units are specified in the Preferences.

The columns in my two weather stations .txt data files are not consistent

The order of the columns in the data file is determined by the sensor serial numbers and channel numbers. Two identical systems will most likely result in two different data files because the serial numbers of the sensors will be different. The left most column will always be the sensor with the lowest serial number. The right most column will always be the highest serial number.

FTP data transfer is not working with auto-readout

• Check the auto-readout log to verify the logger readout was successful. • Check the FTP address you entered in the Email and FTP Setup screen in

the profile. Make sure it is a complete address beginning with “ftp.” For example, ftp.abc.ftpsite.com.

• Check that the Remote Directory you typed in is an exact match of the

Chapter 6: Troubleshooting


Problem Resolution directory on the FTP site, both in spelling and capitalization.

• Check the username and password you entered is correct.

Data is not being emailed during auto-readout

• Check the auto-readout log to verify the logger readout was successful. • Make sure the correct email SMTP server was entered in the profile. • Make sure your email address is listed as the return address in the profile. • If attempting to send to multiple email addresses, make sure they are

separated by commas. • Make sure your email server does not require SMTP authentication.

Remote Site Manager does not support email systems that require SMTP authentication.

The logger isn’t found when attempting to connect

• Make sure the correct port is selected in the remote site profile. • Check the logger batteries. • Check the connection between the logger and the modem, or the logger

and the computer. • If using a Radio Modem, check that the correct channel, address, and

sleep time is set in the profile. • If using a Radio Modem, it could be a marginal wireless connection. See

also the Troubleshooting section in the Radio Modem Operation Manual.

Remote (Telephone) Modem does not answer (keeps ringing)

• Check the batteries. • Check that the telephone line to the Remote Modem is live with a

telephone handset. • Check for burn marks from lightning damage. • Call Technical Support.

Remote (Telephone) Modem does not connect (modem handshaking fails)

• This error typically results in a “90 second timeout” when attempting to connect. Turn on the modem volume and listen to two modems as they attempt to establish a connection. If the handshaking (beeping and squealing) does not end in 90 seconds, the connection will fail. There are typically three possible explanations for this type of failure:

1. The phone connection is very poor. Try using a telephone to call the station and listen to signal quality.

2. The local modem is faulty. Attempt to call a known, good modem like a dial-up Internet Service Provider.

3. The Remote Modem is faulty. Contact Technical Support for help diagnosing this problem.

remote site manager user guide - onsetcomp.com · 2017-11-20 · remote site manager user’s guide...

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