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FAQ

Everything you need to know to get the most out of your Datawell instruments. Below, you can find answers to the questions we get asked most.

Please click on below link for a short film about high frequency heave resonance.

No, the electronics of the DWR-G is based on GPS technology and does not require any calibration ever.

You require your local Iridium distributor to supply you with an Iridium SBD contract. This is a contract that allows you to send/receive Iridium SBD messages over e-mail to an SBD modem. The SBD modem is recognized on the network by its unique IMEI number. If the modem requires replacement, the contract needs to be changed to match the IMEI number of the replacement modem. Your Iridium provider should be able to do this (usually free of charge) within a few days. This procedure is called a ”swapout”.

No, we use Alkaline batteries which are non-hazardous. There are no transport restrictions.

Yes, all our Waveriders, receivers and motion sensors can be hired. Please contact our sales department for a quotation.

Please see our technical note sensor-GPS comparison.

The calibration interval for sensor-based Waveriders has always been 3 to 6 years after purchase or last service and calibration check. With years of experience we are now confident to change this interval to 6 years.

All information and statistics we have collected over the past years justify this new calibration interval.

Please click on below link for a short film about high frequency heave resonance.

No, the electronics of the DWR-G is based on GPS technology and does not require any calibration ever.

You require your local Iridium distributor to supply you with an Iridium SBD contract. This is a contract that allows you to send/receive Iridium SBD messages over e-mail to an SBD modem. The SBD modem is recognized on the network by its unique IMEI number. If the modem requires replacement, the contract needs to be changed to match the IMEI number of the replacement modem. Your Iridium provider should be able to do this (usually free of charge) within a few days. This procedure is called a ”swapout”.

No, we use Alkaline batteries which are non-hazardous. There are no transport restrictions.

Yes, all our Waveriders, receivers and motion sensors can be hired. Please contact our sales department for a quotation.

Please see our technical note sensor-GPS comparison.

The calibration interval for sensor-based Waveriders has always been 3 to 6 years after purchase or last service and calibration check. With years of experience we are now confident to change this interval to 6 years.

All information and statistics we have collected over the past years justify this new calibration interval.

Please click here for a document on the DWTP.

Please click here to open a pdf document on the csv (comma separated values) files generated by libDatawell.

Please click here to open the Waves5 manual.

Please click here for a document on the iBuoy protocol.

Depending on the buoy type, there are two types of signals. The data signal is encoded according to the HXV format and modulated with a 2 FSK transmitter (III-series buoys) or the data signal is encoded according to the HVA format and modulated with a 4 FSK transmitter (IV-series buoys).

Please consult the Waves5 manual for descriptions of the HXV and HVA formats.

The receiver may be overloaded by the strong local signal of the transmitter of the buoy if the buoy is in close proximity (distance between buoy and receiver less than a few tens of meters). A solution in this case is to diminish the radiated signal of the buoy by removing the antenna completely or replacing it by a short piece of metal like a short piece of wire or a screwdriver. This is not harmful to the buoy transmitter and will have no influence on the normal working of the buoy.

Removal of the antenna of the receiver or insertion of an attenuator on that side of the link is also effective but not realistic as a system test. In that case local noise and disturbances are also attenuated and the receiver is offered a strong buoy signal against a background of attenuated noise and disturbances while in real operation a weak buoy signal has to be received against a noisy background.

Yes there is. The configuration of the mooring system depends on water depth, current profile and local circumstances like breaking waves.

Contact us to request mooring advice for your specific situation.

The main difference between the mooring system of the Waverider and the Directional Waverider is the rubber cord. The Directional Waverider requires a 30 m rubber cord whereas the non-directional Waverider requires a 15 m rubber cord.

Click here to read more on mooring.

Yes, this is possible but it requires a firmware change. Please contact our sales department for more information.

This flag, just like the evaporation flag, is a quality parameter. This flag indicates when the influence of the sun on the temperature measurement is very high. As a result, the specified accuracy may no longer be achieved. Experience shows us the accuracy will remain within 1 ⁰C.

The flag is a quality parameter. If evaporation is detected, the temperature may deviate. We cannot correct the temperature for deviations in temperature due to evaporation, which is why we cannot guarantee reliability at those moments and a flag is shown.

No, the power consumption of this option is so low that there is no reason to turn off the option. The availability of this stakeout option can only lead to mistakes.

The power consumption is negligible.

A new console command is introduced to test the CAT4 antenna on shore, ”forcecat4” . This command will perform a new CAT4 measurement. The measurement results will be returned within a minute. Datawell also delivers a CAT4 test tool to test the hatch electronics in case no CAT4 antenna is available or if the CAT4 antenna is not functional.

Not immediately. When you want to replace the CAT4 antenna with a regular HF antenna, you need to replace the HF transmitter board as well and vice versa. Transmitter boards are marked with a CAT4 label when compatible with CAT4 antenna.

The CAT4 is available on all Waveriders expect the 0.4m DWR-G. All transmission options transmit the CAT4 data.

Inside the antenna tube is a coax wire which has been used for decades and has proven itself in thousands of buoys. The PCBs in the antenna base make sure the coax connectors between the hatch and the antenna, and the coax wire in the antenna tube can be used, despite the many different functions of the CAT4 antenna (HF antenna, flashlight and air temperature sensor).

Electronic recalibration is not necessary. Design life of the antenna is 10 years.

This is not necessary, when assembled, the CAT4 sensors are calibrated. This is sufficient.

This depends on how fouled they are. Our experience teaches us that some local fouling or discolouration (the white sensor could become a little grey) does not affect the accuracy of the CAT4.

We advise cleaning the sensors once a year with a microfibre cloth.

When it rains, descending water drops transport air as well as water. Air at great altitude is significantly lower in temperature than air at ground level.

No, when it rains, the air is saturated with moisture and moisture on the wet sensors won’t evaporate.

No, a Waverider follows the waves which means waves don’t continuously splash against the buoy.

Yes, that is no problem; however it is obvious that specific CAT4 data transmitted by the buoy is then lost. The CAT4 data will still be available on the internal data logger of the buoy.

When W@ves21 / SeaSaw21 is used, the CAT4 information will not be processed, presented or recorded. Customers should install Waves5 or Waves4 to make use of the CAT4 information.
When Waves4 is already used, please make sure version 5.2.0 (and higher) is installed.

No, the RX-D / RX-C used to receive the HF signal are still compatible with the HF signal of the Waverider after the CAT4 option is installed.

Every DWR4 / DWR-MkIII / DWR-G / WR-SG can be equipped with a CAT4 ready hatchcover. Hatchcovers with serial numbers 70xxx / 71xxx / 72xxx and 74xxx can be updated with new PCBs and firmware to fit the CAT4 option.

Yes, there certainly is! Our general manager has written a book celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2011: ”Datawell 1961-2011”. Contact our sales department to request a copy.