Q: What equipment do you use?
A: The weather station currently employed is a Oregon Scientific WMR 100.    Before April 21st of 2007, the weather data was derived from a LaCrosse WS-2310 TWC which has since been decommissioned.  Two computers are utilized in the creation of this website.  The first one, an HP Pavilion dv8000, uploads weather data from the WMR 100, and publishes the webcam image.  The other computer, a Gateway FX, is used primarily for editing and publishing the web pages found here.

Q: Why did your replace the LaCrosse unit with a WMR 100?
A: This was done for a couple reasons.  Firstly, the LaCrosse was over two years old and had sustained numerous injuries from Mother Nature.  While it was still working fine despite being damaged, the time for a new weather station was drawing near.  Also, the WMR is completely wireless which allows me to "unwire" the backyard area where the 2310 once stood.

Q: When did you begin uploading Bettendorf weather data to the Internet?
A: My first upload to Weather Underground was recorded at 5:16pm on Sunday, November 12th, 2006.   The domain name www.bettendorfweather.com was acquired on July 1st, 2007.

Q: When did you begin streaming NOAA radio station WXJ73 over the Internet?
A: December 15, 2006.

Q: How often is weather data posted?
A: Thanks to Weather Underground's Rapid Fire option, I am sending current weather readings every five seconds.  You can view that data by clicking here.

Q: Where is your station located within Bettendorf?
A: The registered location with CWOP (Citizen Weather Observer Program) is 41° 32' 1" N latitude and 90° 30' 9" W longitude, which is essentially the geographic center of the contiguous Quad City metropolitan area.  The station is situated 5.8 miles north of the Quad City International Airport in Moline and 7.2 miles southeast of Davenport Municipal Airport.

Q: How accurate is your weather data?
A: According to CWOP's quality assurance analysis, my temperature, dew point, and barometer readings are very reliable and meet their stringent guidelines for data accuracy.  Wind and precipitation data are not checked by CWOP, however my measurements are nearly identical to those recorded by National Weather Service locations in both Moline and Davenport.

Q: Why are you doing this?
A: Primarily for my own entertainment.  Tracking changes in the weather is fun, especially in the Midwest where dramatic shifts occur in the springtime and again during the fall.  Also, I hope visitors to the site find this information I'm sharing useful and interesting.

Q: Is there anyone else in the Quad City area doing this?
A: While there are over a dozen personal weather stations in and around the Quad City area constantly uploading data to the Internet, only a few have companion websites like the one you're visiting.  For weather conditions on Davenport's west side, I recommend davenportweather.com.  Aledo residents can find local data on the Mercer County Amateur Radio Emergency Communications website, and be sure to visit Sandhill Weather for real-time conditions near Olin, IA.