FAQ

What maintenance is required for SayWeather?

The SayWeather system is designed for low maintenance.  The outdoor weather sensor head contains a low-cost lithium back-up cell (CR123) that typically is replaced once every 3 years.     SayWeather has built-in capability to monitor weather "sensor health".  This capability continuously monitors raw sensor data from the weather station and if a sensor failure occurs, the relevant weather variable is removed from the advisory and reported as "missing".  Although sensor health is monitored by SayWeather, sensor accuracy is not.  It is recommended that the Davis weather station is checked for sensor accuracy three times per year.  Included in the SayWeather instruction manual is a procedure for checking the accuracy of wind, temperature, dew point and barometric pressure sensors.  Alternatively, the Davis Pro2 outdoor sensors and barometric pressure sensor can be NIST calibrated, and the Davis Vue's barometric pressure, indoor temperature/humidity can be NIST calibrated.  The NIST calibration service is provided by Davis Instruments for a fee and requires that the sensors are returned to Davis Instrument's factory.  Other maintenance items include replacing the display console alkaline batteries if needed and clearing the rain-collector basket of debris.

What type of weather stations are integrated into the SayWeather product?

SayWeather chose Davis Instruments as our weather station. 

Why use Davis weather stations?

Simply, great value! We chose Davis Instruments as our weather station providing partner because: the product is of high quality and durability; they have available parts and calibration support, they are renowned for use in commercial applications, and they have been making great products for over 50 years. They are also reasonably priced, so your weather advisory system doesn't cost a lot. Davis sells and support their weather stations worldwide.

What is the annual cost for SayWeather and the online publishing?

SayWeather™ is affordable to buy, install, and maintain. Generally, there are minimal recurring costs. Once you purchase the system, there are no fees associated with retrieving your data. We publish data to Weather Underground, the world's largest source of online personal and private weather stations. There is no fee to set up an account or view your data.

This looks like a great capability.  What do the regulations say about its use?

Using SayWeather™ is like asking an airport attendant to provide a landing advisory over the UNICOM.  The difference is that SayWeather provides an AWOS-like advisory and operates, on-demand by the pilot, 24 hours a day... not just when the airport is attended.  

In the United States, The Code of Federal Regulations, 47 CFR 87.219, addresses the use of automated systems at airports not having an operational ASOS/AWOS. Relevant frequencies are addressed under 47 CFR 87.187(y)(3), and multicom frequencies, 122.850MHz and 122.900MHz, are addressed under 47 CFR 87.237 thru 241.

At this time Transport Canada do not have a similar authorization.

How frequently is the weather information updated?

SayWeather™ retrieves weather from the weather station every 5 seconds and reports current information on the console's LCD display, and to the pilot over the VHF radio when queried. Wind speed and direction are reported as 2-minute averages. Gusts are reported as 10-minute peak wind speed.

How does SayWeather differ from an AWOS?

An AWOS is an Automated Weather Observation System.  Weather observations made by an AWOS are derived through use of weather sensors that must meet certain specifications and must undergo regular calibration. SayWeather™ is a weather advisory system.  An advisory system differs from an observation system in that its sensors are not required to meet the same specifications, or undergo the same calibration, that observation systems do. An AWOS can provide information to the National Weather Service  whereas an advisory weather system does not.  SayWeather uses the same algorithms that AWOS' use to process weather data and report an advisory.  However, SayWeather has the benefit of allowing users to adjust certain parameters related to the processing of weather data. For example, the AWOS algorithm for reporting wind gusts indicates that gusts are only reported if they are over 14 knots, which might be too restrictive for light sport pilots.  SayWeather can be user-adjusted to report gusts at any selectable threshold.

Does the SayWeather system include weather sensor head mounting poles, tower, etc?

The user's mounting requirement are unique, so mounting poles or tower are not included in your kit. Please refer to the Davis weather station documentation for guidance on mounting your weather sensor.  Please contact us to discuss special mounting requirements.

What does the REC-1 option do?

SayWeather™ includes a low-voltage relay contact that can be activated by a pilot in flight. When the correct number of mic-keys is received SayWeather will close the relay contact for a user-configurable period of time.  This relay can be used, for example, to activate a video camera on the ground for recording a landing. Users may want to use the relay contact for other purposes, for example to open a gate or activate a warning.  The SayWeather/REC-1 option includes a 6-pin RJ-12 (telephone jack) connector that provides access to the relay contact. Contact us if you have additional questions regarding cameras.

Can SayWeather control the lights at my airport?

Yes, SayWeather Pro™include options for airport lighting.  Two lighting options are currently offered, PAL-1 (one-zone) and PAL-3 (three zone) lighting controllers.  The PAL options use UL recognized relays to provide 120VAC to 277VAC control of loads 10 amps to 20 amps, depending on lighting type.  The relays include integrated override switches for manual activation of airport lighting.  Mic keys activate the lighting controller and the number of mic keys can be user-selected for almost any combination of control options.  SayWeather also provides a unique feature - the pilot's mic keys to activate lighting is acknowledged over the transceiver with an audio announcement "airport lights acknowledged".  This lets the pilot know that additional keying is not required if by chance the airport is obscured or otherwise not seen by the pilot.  The PAL series lighting controllers are connected to SayWeather via a low-voltage, flat 6-conductor telephone cable, up to 1000 feet from the SayWeather system.  The PAL series controller are housed in electrical cabinets that are approved for indoor use only. 

Where can I get a sound file for my airport name, or speech in other languages?

When you purchase your SayWeather™ system, we'll contact you to customize your unit for your airport. If you need to later make changes you can simply email support@sayweather.com with your request, and we'll send you your customized sound files.  You can also make your own using a variety of software tools.  SayWeather uses ".wav" audio files to produce speech.

SayWeather's standard warranty is one year.  Are there extended warranty options?

Yes.  If at any time after the one year warranty, your SayWeather unit is damaged or fails, the unit can be returned to our factory for repair.  The cost for repairs is covered under our current "flat rate" repair fee policy.  A loaner SayWeather unit can be made available at additional cost if needed during the repair.  SayWeather™ is also available for purchase with two-year and three-year extended warranty options - please contact us for details.

Do you have a list or map of airports that have installed SayWeather?

Click on https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=165L9WbV4iOhqFK4OnlwWAHBLp7w&ll=38.58121689453354%2C-110.44537034541156&z=4 to see SayWeather installations. Click on any airport in the map to check if the airport publishes weather data to the internet.  If so, a web link is provided to view real-time and historical weather data from that airport. is a long form text area designed for your content that you can fill up with as many words as your heart desires. You can write articles, long mission statements, company policies, executive profiles, company awards/distinctions, office locations, shareholder reports, whitepapers, media mentions and other pieces of content that don’t fit into a shorter, more succinct space.