Gill MetPak RG Portable Weather Station

Overview

The Gill MetPak RG Portable Weather Station is a compact, integrated multi-parameter meteorological sensor system engineered for high-reliability environmental monitoring in demanding field deployments. Designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Gill Instruments Ltd., the MetPak RG employs proven physical sensing principles—including ultrasonic wind measurement (via Gill’s proprietary 3D sonic anemometry architecture), precision Pt100 resistance temperature detection, capacitive relative humidity sensing, piezoresistive barometric pressure transduction, and aerodynamically optimized tipping-bucket precipitation collection—to deliver synchronized, traceable measurements across eight core atmospheric variables. Its architecture prioritizes measurement integrity under harsh conditions—particularly coastal, offshore, and remote terrestrial sites—where mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and rain capture fidelity are critical. Though discontinued as a current-production model, the MetPak RG remains widely deployed in legacy environmental networks, research campaigns, and regulatory monitoring programs due to its documented long-term stability, field-proven calibration retention, and compatibility with industry-standard data acquisition protocols.

Key Features

• Integrated eight-parameter sensing suite: wind speed & direction (vector U/V output), air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, dew point temperature, and rainfall accumulation
• Aerodynamic tipping-bucket rain gauge calibrated to MetPak RG electronics, delivering 0.2 mm resolution and ±2% volumetric accuracy per tip under ISO 9060-compliant exposure conditions
• IP65-rated UV-stabilized white engineering polymer housing ensures long-term resistance to solar degradation, salt spray, and thermal cycling
• Low-power design: <16 mA average current draw at 12 VDC; supports battery- or solar-powered operation in off-grid applications
• Multi-protocol digital interface: user-selectable SDI-12 (v1.3), ASCII serial (RS232/RS422/RS485), NMEA 0183, and Modbus RTU/ASCII for seamless integration with SCADA, PLC, and datalogger ecosystems
• Anodized aluminum mounting bracket compatible with standard 30–58 mm diameter masts; rapid deployment without specialized tools
• Factory-traceable calibration documentation provided per unit, supporting GLP-compliant data governance workflows

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MetPak RG is validated for continuous operation across natural atmospheric media without sample conditioning or pre-treatment. Its sensors meet fundamental metrological requirements for unattended outdoor use per IEC 60068-2 environmental testing standards (including thermal shock, damp heat, and vibration). While not certified to WMO Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO Guide) Class I specifications, its wind and rain performance aligns with WMO Class II recommendations for operational networks. The Pt100 temperature sensor complies with IEC 60751 Class B (1/3 tolerance), and humidity sensing adheres to ISO 4618-1 for hygrometer verification methodology. The station supports audit-ready data logging when paired with compliant dataloggers—enabling compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality management systems for environmental testing laboratories.

Software & Data Management

Gill provides two free, Windows-compatible desktop utilities: MetView for real-time data visualization, time-series plotting, and CSV export; and MetSet for device configuration, firmware version verification, and communication parameter tuning (baud rate, output interval, protocol selection). Both tools generate timestamped log files suitable for QA/QC review. ASCII output follows a fixed-field, headerless format compatible with automated parsing in Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW environments. SDI-12 command structure conforms to ANSI/TIA-561 and ASTM D5092 standards for sensor interrogation. For enterprise-scale deployments, the MetPak RG integrates natively with Campbell Scientific CR series dataloggers, Onset HOBO RX3000 gateways, and third-party platforms supporting Modbus RTU over RS485—facilitating secure, encrypted data forwarding to cloud-based environmental data management systems (EDMS) under TLS 1.2+ transport security.

Applications

• Coastal and offshore platform meteorological monitoring where accurate precipitation quantification is essential for erosion modeling and stormwater runoff estimation
• Long-term climate observation networks requiring stable, low-drift sensors with minimal maintenance intervals
• Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for infrastructure projects in exposed terrain, including wind resource mapping and microclimate profiling
• Educational field studies in atmospheric science and environmental engineering curricula
• Supplemental validation for satellite-derived weather products and numerical weather prediction (NWP) model verification
• Regulatory compliance monitoring for ambient air quality stations requiring co-located meteorological context (e.g., EPA 40 CFR Part 58 Appendix E)

FAQ

Is the MetPak RG still supported by Gill Instruments?
Yes—although no longer in active production, Gill continues to supply spare parts (including rain gauges, mounting hardware, and interface cables), provide technical documentation, and offer calibration services through authorized service centers.
Can the MetPak RG operate in sub-zero temperatures?
Yes—the system is rated for continuous operation from −35°C to +70°C, and the Pt100 temperature sensor maintains specified accuracy across this full range per IEC 60751.
Does the rain gauge require periodic cleaning or maintenance?
The aerodynamic funnel design minimizes debris accumulation, but biannual visual inspection and gentle rinsing with deionized water are recommended in high-dust or high-salt environments to preserve tipping mechanism repeatability.
What is the maximum cable length for SDI-12 communication?
Per SDI-12 specification, total bus length should not exceed 200 meters with ≤6 sensors; for single-sensor configurations like the MetPak RG, reliable operation has been verified up to 300 meters using shielded twisted-pair cable (Belden 9841) at 1200 baud.
Is firmware upgrade capability available?
Firmware updates are delivered via ASCII serial interface using MetSet; however, no new firmware versions have been released since product discontinuation—existing units retain full functional integrity with all documented features.