Aqua-Link

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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 Prwin.SitesMenu/Edit depths tab, 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 LoggerMenu/Details 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

4 May 2007 ver 1.0.006

2 May 2007 ver 1.0.005