Proper Way To Capture Wind Speed with a Meter

DocUSMCRetired · July 20, 2015, 10:36 AM

It is not uncommon to answer the question of how to properly capture the wind, or to even see someone doing it incorrectly. For education purposes I am sharing the correct method to capture wind direction with a meter when you have no environmental aids. Important note, you can use your environment to help with this. Looking for flags, or dropping grass can help point you in the right direction. Also the best, and easiest way is using the Wind Vane Mount. However if you are doing this by hand, use the following as your guide.

Step 1 find the winds general direction.

Step 2 Rotate the Wind Meter 90 degrees (like when you calibrate the compass), so that the wind is impacting the side and not the back of the wind meter, while still being able to see the impeller.

Step 3 Fine tune the direction until the impeller drastically slows, or comes to a complete stop (a complete stop is preferred). It might be impossible to get the impeller to come to a complete stop, so finding the direction which has the lowest impact on the impeller is the next best option.

Step 4 Turn the back of the Kestrel in to direction the wind is coming from, press the capture button, and capture your wind speed.

Never Point The Wind Meter's Back In To The Wind Until You See the Highest Wind Speed To Capture Wind Direction, This Is the Incorrect Method For Finding Wind Direction.

4thPoint · July 20, 2015, 11:35 AM

"... 'on' its side" was confusing until I read the pic and saw "...to its side". Slight difference in interpretation.

DocUSMCRetired · July 20, 2015, 11:39 AM

let me know, if this wording is better?

July 20, 2015, 10:36 AM	#1
DocUSMCRetired Member Join Date: November 22, 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 63	Proper Way To Capture Wind Speed with a Meter It is not uncommon to answer the question of how to properly capture the wind, or to even see someone doing it incorrectly. For education purposes I am sharing the correct method to capture wind direction with a meter when you have no environmental aids. Important note, you can use your environment to help with this. Looking for flags, or dropping grass can help point you in the right direction. Also the best, and easiest way is using the Wind Vane Mount. However if you are doing this by hand, use the following as your guide. Step 1 find the winds general direction. Step 2 Rotate the Wind Meter 90 degrees (like when you calibrate the compass), so that the wind is impacting the side and not the back of the wind meter, while still being able to see the impeller. Step 3 Fine tune the direction until the impeller drastically slows, or comes to a complete stop (a complete stop is preferred). It might be impossible to get the impeller to come to a complete stop, so finding the direction which has the lowest impact on the impeller is the next best option. Step 4 Turn the back of the Kestrel in to direction the wind is coming from, press the capture button, and capture your wind speed. Never Point The Wind Meter's Back In To The Wind Until You See the Highest Wind Speed To Capture Wind Direction, This Is the Incorrect Method For Finding Wind Direction. __________________ Doc Beech Applied Ballistics Support www.Appliedballisticsllc.com Last edited by DocUSMCRetired; July 20, 2015 at 03:19 PM.

July 20, 2015, 11:39 AM	#3
DocUSMCRetired Member Join Date: November 22, 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 63	let me know, if this wording is better? __________________ Doc Beech Applied Ballistics Support www.Appliedballisticsllc.com

July 20, 2015, 11:35 AM	#2
4thPoint Junior member Join Date: August 28, 2012 Posts: 240	"... 'on' its side" was confusing until I read the pic and saw "...to its side". Slight difference in interpretation.