Aqua-Link
Aqua-Link processes and reformats data from the Aqua-Pro soil moisture sensor.
The data from the AquaPro is recorded in the field on a PDA, and uploaded to a PC using Microsoft ActiveSync. The data is normally left in file C:\AquaPro\AquaPro.dat.
The data can then be processed by Aqualink to a post file, suitable for posting with Probe for Windows; or into text files for use by M-Log, Excel or other software.
Each tube is recorded in the PDA with a ranch name and a tube name.
Output to Post Files
Probe for Windows needs a site number, so a 'lookup file' is used to convert from AquaPro RanchName/TubeName to the equivalent site number.
If a RanchName/TubeName cannot be found in the lookup file, you will be prompted for the corresponding site number.
If you don't know the number, just accept the default of 999; edit the lookup file later and re-process the AquaPro data again.
Each time you use <Process>, a new post file will be created with the first date in the file e.g. 07May24.PST
(format yy MMM dd to make it easier to sort if you need to locate a post file)
If you process a second time on the same day, or multiple serial numbers are in the file, the post file will have an 'A' appended e.g. 07May04A.PST , etc
Output to Text Files for each site
A text file will be created for each tube, with file name= RanchName_TubeName.dat
At the end of the season, each file will have only the readings for a single tube.
Data will only be added to an existing file if it has a later date.
The AquaPro serial number is also in each line of the output file.
Calibrations
The output from the AquaPro is in units of 0-100; 0 = dry sand, 100= wet clay.
The AquaPro serial number is in the header of the post file, so a new calibration equation for this serial number needs entering in Probe for Windows.
It is suggested that, at least intitally, just use equation = 1, with slope = 1 and intercept = 0.
In , each AquaPro site will also need equation = 1 at all depths.
The calculated total root zone water content will not be in ins (or mm) because the output from the AquaPro is on the 0-100 scale, and not in ins/ft or % moisture by volume.
If you do need real ins (or mm) calculated, you might need to adjust the equation slope - see below.
M-Log can also calibrate the data on sensor tab.
From the AquaPro calibration sheet, the full point for 'Clay' is 105.
A typical maximum reading with a neutron probe is 45-50% (5.5 - 6 ins/ft) - a full point over 45% is a really heavy clay
So to convert from AquaPro 0-100% values (call it AQ)
Wet end (clay, full point) 105 AQ = 45% VSW (say)
Dry end (sand, at PWP) 18 AQ = 5% VSW (say)
Slope = (45 - 5) / (105 - 18) = 40/87 = 0.45
Intercept = 45 - 0.45 * 105 = 45 - 47 = -2 (say 0)
So VSW% = 0.45 * AQ - 0
Check: from the Aquapro chart...
Clay - Full = 105 * 0.45 = 47 % = 5.6 ins/ft
PWP = 55 * 0.45 = 24 % = 2.9 ins/ft
Loam - Full = 85 * 0.45 = 38 % = 4.6 ins/ft
PWP = 35 * 0.45 = 16 % = 1.9 ins/ft
Sand - Full = 55 * 0.45 = 25 % = 3.0 ins/ft
PWP = 18 * 0.45 = 8 % = 1.0 ins/ft
Downloads
Status of software at 13 Sep 2009 v 1.0.007
Download | Upgrade v1.0.007 (150 Kb) | Full Install (4 Mb)
Known problems
Running second copy.
Upgrade Notes
13 Sep 2009 ver 1.0.007
- Spaces trimmed in Ranch/Site idenifiers in data files.
4 May 2007 ver 1.0.006
- Re-load lookup file after edit; Sort post file.
- Fix bug when 'already running'.
2 May 2007 ver 1.0.005
- New post file generated for each serial number in .dat or .old AquaPro file