All posts by Tommy Liddell

Office - Transfer Data, Stream, WaterLOG H-350XL

WaterLOG H-350XL/H-500XL – Transfer Data

Stream data downloaded from equipment in the field should ideally be transferred immediately from temporary media (e.g., USB key) to a folder on the laptop, and should be stored in the SiteMonthDayYear format (e.g., 800a080615).

    1. Locate appropriate file on laptop and transfer to station folder on network drive (e.g., Q:\STATIONS\TL\800A\2015\Misc)
    2. Open Hydstra and select from the menu tree: Programs by Function > Hydstra/TS – Time Series > Hydstra Data Management > HYDMWB – Data Managers Workbench.
    3. Press the Open folder icon or select File > Open
    4. In the Open Time Series Sites dialog box that opens, enter the site number in general format (e.g., 800) and click the Lookup Site button
    5. Select the specific site (e.g., 800A) that appears in the dialog box and then press OK
    6. Press OK in the Open Time Series dialog box
    7. Single-click the site icon that has an A at the end (e.g., 800A A) and the select File > Copy
    8. In the Select Work File dialog box that opens, Select B as the New DataSource and then press OK; a new file icon is placed on the workbench (e.g., 800A B)
    9. Select File > Import Data and navigate to appropriate file on the network drive, as described in step 1, and then press Open
    10. Press Finish in the Import Data dialog box and close the event log that appears in Hydstra Explorer; a new file icon is placed on the workbench (e.g., 800A C)
    11. Drag the C file to the B file and release
    12. In the dialog box, select the Resolve Overlaps: Split blocks if necessary, preserving the C file radio button and press OK
    13. Double-click the B file to open the Work File dialog box (the end date of the 232.00 variable should be modified to match the date and time of the site visit)program_hydstra_maxgap
    14. Double-click variable 232.00, which will open the High-Resolution data set
    15. Most of the time, Gap<MaxGap (ignored) will be displayed between the previous data set and the data set most recently imported
    16. To eliminate this gap, select the block of data immediately below this status and select Split
    17. In the Split Block dialog box, add five minutes to Split Time (e.g., 10:50:00_07/20/2015 becomes 10:55:00_07/20/2015) and press OK; this will create an additional block of time
    18. Select the new block and the one immediately above it (this should be the one that has the Gap<MaxGap (ignored) status) by shift-clicking both
    19. Select Fill Gaps and from the dialog box that opens, select the Extend Backwards (add a new point to the start of the second block) radio button and 1 Good Unedited Data from the Inserted Quality dropdown; press OK
    20. A new block is created which spans the existing blocks; both the new block and the block below now display Yes in the Modified column
    21. Close the dialog box and press Yes to save your changes and then close the Work File dialog box
    22. Finally, drag the B file to the A file and select the Merge (preserve B File data if duplicates) radio button, making sure the Delete B File option is checked
    23. Press OK and close event log that appears in Hydstra Explorer
Field - Download Data, Stream, WaterLOG H-350XL

WaterLOG H-350XL/H-500XL – Download Data

Gage height and discharge data are periodically transferred from the unit in the form of a .NEW file. After being copied to the appropriate media, the .NEW file is deleted, thereby reducing file size for subsequent downloads. Should problems arise in downloading this file, a longer term record (.WRP file) is stored on the unit and can be accessed in a similar manner. Unlike the .NEW file, the .WRP file is only deleted at the end of each water year.

The processes described below is applicable to several types of transfer media, including USB keys or PCMCIA (Flashdisk) cards

Copy .NEW File to Media

  1. Open lid of H-350XL/H-500XL
  2. Insert PCMCIA card or USB key into appropriate slot
  3. Press Display On/Off key to turn on display
  4. Stage = x.xx is displayed; record this value on front sheet
  5. Press ▼ key until System Status is displayed
  6. Press ► key, Battery = xx.xx volts is displayed
  7. Press ▼ key, Min Battery = xx.x is displayed
  8. Press ▼ key, Max Battery = xx.x is displayed
  9. Press ▼ key, System Resets = x is displayed
  10. Press ▼ key, Resets Stats Screen? is displayed
  11. Press Enter to reset stats
  12. Press ◄ key to get back to System Status screen
  13. Press ▲ key until Data Options is displayed
  14. Press ► key, Data Memory OK is displayed
  15. Press ▼ key until Copy Files is displayed
  16. Press ► key, Copy All 2 Ext Card? is displayed
  17. Press ▼ key until Copy .NEW to USB or Copy .NEW to Card is displayed
  18. Press Enter, Copying [site].NEW is displayed
  19. When copying is completed, Enter to Erase .NEW is displayed
  20. Press Enter, Erasing .NEW is displayed
  21. Press Esc until Stage = x.xx is displayed
  22. Remove PCMCIA card or USB key
  23. Press Display On/Off key to turn off display
  24. Verify that Scanning is On is displayed

Copy .WRP File to Media

  1. Open lid of H-350XL/H-500XL
  2. Insert PCMCIA card or USB key into appropriate slot
  3. Press Display On/Off key to turn on display
  4. Wait a few seconds and the instrument should give a gage height reading
  5. Press
  6. Push ▼ key until Data Options is displayed
  7. Push ► key, Data Memory OK is displayed
  8. Push ▼ key until Copy .WRP to Card or is displayed
  9. Push Enter, unit should display the file that is being copied
  10. When the copying is complete, Done, Press Any Key is displayed
  11. ERASE NEW FILE
  12. Remove the PCMCIA card or USB key
  13. Push Display On/Off to turn off display

Clear Internal Memory

This process should be done on a yearly basis on the first download after the start of the new water year if the data for the previous water year is known to be complete. Be sure to download .NEW and .WRP files before completing this process.

  1. Open lid of H-350XL/H-500XL
  2. Insert PCMCIA card or USB key into appropriate slot
  3. Press Display On/Off key to turn on display
  4. Wait a few seconds and the instrument should give a gage height reading
  5. The scanning must be turned off in order to clear the memory not the logging
  6. Press the Esc key until back to Data Options
  7. Arrow Down to Scan Setup
  8. Right Arrow, Scanning [ON] should now be displayed
  9. Press Enter and ON should now be flashing
  10. Press ▲ key to turn the scanning off, then press Enter
  11. Press the Esc key until back to Scan Setup
  12. Press ▲ key until Data Options is diplayed
  13. Press ► key, Data Memory OK should now be displayed
  14. Press ▼ key until Erase Internal Data is displayed, then press Enter
  15. When asked Are You Sure?, press Enter
  16. Press the Esc key until back to Data Options
  17. Press ▼ key until Scan Setup is displayed
  18. Press ► key, Scanning [OFF] should now be displayed
  19. Press Enter and OFF should now be flashing
  20. Press ▼ key to turn the scanning on, then press Enter
  21. Press the Esc key until back to Scan Setup
  22. Press ▲ key to Sensor Input Setup
  23. Press ► key, Stage Setup should now be displayed
  24. Push Display On/Off to turn off display
Field - Operate Equipment, SonTek HydroBoard, Stream

SonTek HydroBoard – Operate Equipment

In this package, an Acoustic Doppler Profiler is mounted on a floatable platform, which resembles a Boogie Board. Position is tracked using a GPS on the boat that communicates with a land-based station and is, therefore, capable of centimeter-accurate results. At least four transects are required for an accurate measurement.

GPS

  1. Set up tripod in alignment with cross section
  2. Install charged batteries and mount Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS on top of tripod
  3. Set up GPS in view of cross-section to be measured and make sure you have clear view of the sky
  4. Mount antenna on side of GPS

Floatable Platform

  1. Mount tracker on boat
  2. Mount Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP) on boat; be sure to set ADP to yellow line
  3. Mount Power Communication Module (PCM) and connect cables from antenna and ADP to PCM

Laptop

The initial setup of the HydroBoard is done using a laptop connected to the ADP via Bluetooth connection.

  1. Plug in dongle (external Bluetooth adapter) to laptop
  2. Plug in power cord from dongle to laptop
  3. Press On/Off switch to turn on dongle
  4. Open RiverSurveyor Live
  5. Turn on power switches on ADP and PCM (GPS has two lights – power and GPS; (PCM has four lights – power, radio, RTK and GPS)
  6. Connect to River Surveyor on laptop
  7. Make sure Parani Bluetooth Connection is checked
  8. Press Connect
  9. Select S5 Unit
  10. Press Connect
  11. Bring up startup screen (goal: make all red lines turn green)
  12. Go to bottom of screen and perform System Test
  13. Dialog box opens; press Start
  14. Dialog box opens to verify system pass; press Close
  15. Press Change Site Information and input appropriate information (note: boat is R boat) – not all fields are required
  16. Press Compass Calibration; dialog box opens; press Start
  17. During calibration, a second person should pick up the boat and wiggle it back and forth
  18. Dialog box will indicate Pass if the calibration is successful (calibration score should be close to 10, a score of 9 is acceptable)
  19. Close window
  20. Press System Settings and set the following fields to these values
    • Transducer Depth – 0.24 (note: will change due to new board)
    • Screening Distance – 0
    • Salinity – (variable – use salinity meter to determine correct value)
    • Magnetic Declination – 12.5
    • Track Reference – bottom track
    • Depth Reference – vertical beam
    • Coordinate System – ENU
    • Smart Pulse – enabled
  21. Press Enter

Blackberry

Once the initial setup is completed, a handheld PDA is used to enter data and track progress of the ADP.

  1. Disconnect laptop Bluetooth connection and connect Blackberry Bluetooth (password: 1610)
    • Press soft key Start to get to Programs
    • Select River Surveyor Live
    • Search for unit
    • Press Connect when found
  2. Press Start System
  3. Press Start Edge
  4. Fill in parameters and press OK
  5. Deploy fins on HydroBoard and place unit in water
  6. Press Start Edge and wait until you get at least 10 samples at the edge
  7. Set bank and distance from center of HydroBoard to edge of water; press OK
  8. Pull HydroBoard across creek at a consistent speed and no faster than water velocity
  9. Once across the cross-section and after 10 samples at edge, enter distance and press End Edge
  10. Press End Transect
  11. For next measurement, press Continue
  12. Repeat steps 6-10 a minimum of four times
Office - Transfer Data, SonTek FlowTracker, Stream

SonTek FlowTracker – Transfer Data

  1. Connect unit to computer using 5-pin cable and serial connection (with or without USB adapter)
  2. Press yellow power button to turn unit on
  3. Open SonTek FlowTracker program
  4. Press Connect to a FlowTracker
  5. On Connect to serial port dialog box, select proper COM port and confirm Baud rate: 9600
  6. Press Connect
  7. Press Recorder; dialog box opens
  8. Select files for download (e.g., 800A0806.15)
  9. Press Browse to navigate to destination folder (e.g., Q:\STATIONS\TL\800a\2015\Misc)
  10. Press Download
  11. Confirm .WAD files transferred to proper location
  12. To erase .WAD files, select all appropriate (e.g., 800A0806.15) and press Format
  13. When completed, press yellow power button to turn unit off and disconnect unit from computer
  14. In Windows Explorer, navigate to folder (e.g., Q:\STATIONS\TL\800a\2015\Misc), select file (e.g., 800A0806.15.WAD) and rename using SiteMonthDayYear format (e.g., 800a080615.WAD)
  15. In FlowTracker, press Open a FlowTracker file, navigate to newly named .WAD file and press Open
  16. Press Printer button, print first page and attach to front sheet from site visit
Field - Operate Equipment, SonTek FlowTracker, Stream

SonTek FlowTracker – Operate Equipment

  1. Press yellow power button to turn unit on
  2. Press Enter to get to main menu
  3. To begin a measurement, press 3 (Start Data Run)
  4. Press 1 (Name), input name using SiteMonthDay format (e.g., 800A0806) and press Enter  **this represents a change from the normal naming convention because the FlowTracker only allows 8 characters for the site name – this will be corrected later during the data transfer phase**
  5. Press 2 (Extension), input the two-digit year (e.g., 15) and press Enter
  6. Press 9 (Accept name)
  7. On next screen, press 1 (Site), input name using SiteMonthDayYear format (e.g., 800A080615) and press Enter
  8. Press 2 (Operator), input  initials of hydrographer (e.g., TL) and press Enter
  9. Press 9 (Start)
  10. On next screen, press Enter
  11. Place meter in water away from obstacles and press 1 (Run Test) to perform the Automatic QC Test
  12. If starting transect at Right Edge of Water, press 4 (REW/LEW) to toggle to REW
  13. Press Set Location, input tagline distance at edge of water (usually right side) and press Enter
  14. Press Set Depth, input depth reading (usually 0) and press Enter
  15. Move to first vertical, input tagline distance and depth using steps 13 and 14
  16. Set meter to 0.6 depth of vertical and press Measure
  17. Review error messages and press Enter to move to next
  18. When error messages are complete, Press 1 (Accept) to move to next vertical
  19. Repeat steps 15 – 18 for each vertical along remainder of cross-section
  20. When finishing edge of water is reached, press 1 (End Section) twice
  21. Review error messages and press Enter to move to next; press 1 (Accept) to move to QC screen
  22. Press Enter to move to discharge calculation screen
  23. Presss – (Calculate Discharge) twice
  24. To save measurement, press 0
  25. Press yellow power button to turn unit off
JBS AquaCalc Pro+, Office - Transfer Data, Stream

JBS AquaCalc Pro+ – Transfer Data

  1. Connect AquaCalc Pro+ to compter via USB cable and press On/Off
  2. Press 3 (Connections) and verify that Connection is set to USB
  3. Open AquaCalc DataLink3
  4. Press Download
  5. In Download Section Measurements dialogue box, select measurement to be downloaded (e.g., 776A080515)
  6. Under Choose a download location, press Choose and navigate to appropriate folder location (e.g., Q:\STATIONS\TL\776a\2015\Misc)
  7. Press Download Sections
  8. Verify transfer of .CSV file to appropriate file location (e.g., 776A080515_T__LIDDELL_T__LIDDELL_080515_0709.csv)
  9. To remove discharge measurement from Aquacalc Pro+, re-select section and press Delete Sections
  10. To rename tranferred file so that it follows the SiteMonthDayYear naming convention (e.g., 776a080515), right-click CSV file and select Rename
  11. Press Analyzer; MS Excel document opens
  12. Select Import and Edit Here tab, press Import AquaCalc Pro Output File, navigate to the newly transferred file and press Open
  13. Select Summary for Printing (5×8) tab, print first page and attach to front sheet from site visit

equipment_transfer_aquacalc