I've decided to start working with Arduinos for a couple reasons:
- Build a weather station
- Interface with HAM radio(s)
Since this is an experimental farm, I should have been collecting weather data since day one. I wanted a direct wired, AC powered unit, but a commercial one goes for $800 and up. There is no way to afford that much on such a basic component.
Having watched a good friend of mine, Mr. W, build a working radio receiver out of one, I did some research and found out you can make a weather station out of one, using off the shelf components. This weather station has to have these capabilities:
- Run off of AC power,
- Direct connect via Ethernet to the local network (WiFi is not reliable),
- Be able to send data to another computer at configurable intervals for long term data storage,
- Be able to send data to WeatherUnderground at configurable intervals,
- Be able to have data displayed on a mobile device.
Sunizona, Arizona, USA: Site #0001
This is the first grow site and plant breeding site. Expansion is under way to have a stock of four thousand (4,000) growing opuntia ficus indica and other varieties.
Our main goal here is to create hard freeze resistant stock and to open a nursery (wholesale and retail).