Frequently Asked Questions

You can click on the "Request A Quote" link on the web site and request a quote if you know what you want.  There are options and add-ons so make sure you have checked them all.  If you prefer you can call us and discuss what you may want and ask questions.  If you prefer snail mail our address is on the ‘contact’ tab under ‘About Us’.

Our basic Sonic Anemometer comes with the Sonic probe (with no add-ons or special options), a Zero Air Chamber, a Mounting Bar, an output cable, and an Operator’s Manual; shipped in a reusable box with custom foam inserts to protect your Sonic.

We can tailor each instrument to the customer’s needs.  Check out the options and add-ons.  We custom build each system to meet your requirements.  Let us know what you want and we can send you a quote.  Is there a requirement that you don’t see, let us know and maybe it can be provided.

Each Sonic Anemometer system is custom built to meet your requirements, since each can be different.  So it might take a little longer for you to receive your Sonic, than from companies that sell Sonics “off the shelf”.  The quote we provide will identify the time required to build your system.

Yes, all instruments can be repaired.  We do recommend that you first call us, as we may be able to help you with any problems you are having.  If we can’t help, then you will be given instructions for returning the Sonic.  Use the box and foam inserts your Sonic was originally shipped in to return it to us.   Or you can send an email to repair@apptech.com and provide as much information about your sonic anemometer or other ATI equipment as you can.  We will reply with information about how and where to send your equipment.

We use free Terminal Emulator software called “TeraTerm, Version 4.106”.  You can go directly to their website here - Download File List - Tera Term.  Other programs can be located by searching for terminal emulator software.  Some are free, other need to be purchased.  Telix is another such program that has been very successful with our customers.

There are many manufacturers of COM to USB adaptors. These can be used to create a COM port on computers that do not have a physical COM port. Follow the directions of the adaptor manufacturer to install the adaptor on your computer. Check the COM is available by accessing the Device Manager (Windows) and see if there is now an entry for a COM port. Note the COM port number (i.e., COM 1) so that you can set up the correct COM port in your Terminal software. Set the COM port for 9600 baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, and even parity.

We use TeraTerm for our Windows based computers. Connect the Sonic to an available COM port and run your terminal software. Select the COM port (i.e., COM 1) being used for the Sonic. The Sonic ships with the following settings: 9600 baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, and even parity. Power up the Sonic and the data output should begin.

There can be many reasons why you are not seeing the output from the Sonic. Typically, this is caused by the COM Port not being configured correctly. Verify the COM settings in your Terminal Software and make sure it matches the sonic output. The Factory settings are as follows: 9600 baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, & even parity. Check the power supply to make sure the Sonic is getting the correct power. Check the cables for any breaks. Troubleshooting is available in Section 7 of your Sonic Manual, also feel free to call us and we may be able to help you troubleshoot the problem.

With the Sonic connected to a computer and powered on, run your terminal emulator software. The Terminal software should be configured to access the Sonic via the chosen COM Port with the correct baud rate, data bits, stop bit and parity settings. Under these conditions the sonic data should be displayed. Hit the {ESC} key on the keyboard at any time. The data will stop, and the Main Menu will be displayed. Refer to Section 5 – “Software Commands” in your Sonic Manual for all available commands and details for each of the commands.

Each Sonic Anemometer comes with a Zero-Air-Chamber. This unit must be used when doing a calibration. The “K”, “Sx” and “Vx”, Sonics have a chamber that will isolate each axis individually where the “V” and “A” Sonics come with a chamber that will isolate all three axes simultaneously. Place the chamber over the axis (or all axes) to be calibrated and the output of the Sonic should show 00.00 for the isolated axes. If you do not see 00.00, a recalibration may be required. See the next answer for more details.

The ATI Sonic Anemometers do not need to be returned to the factory to be calibrated. It can be calibrated by the operator whenever necessary. Install the Zero-Air Chamber when ready to do a calibration. The calibration command, in the sonic software, causes the processor to perform a measurement of the mechanical distance between the transducers to a high accuracy. It then stores this measurement and uses it in all future measurement calculations. Detailed information can be found in Section 5.3 – “Calibration” of the Sonic Manual.

The Sonic can be mounted and oriented in any direction, but the direction of the three axes are oriented around the U axis as being north. Also, there is a top and bottom to the probe, follow the instructions in Section 4 – “Hardware Installation” in your sonic manual.

This indicates a problem in the axis showing -99.99. This could be due to the axis being physically blocked by an object like a bird. First, cycle the power on the Sonic, also check to see if the axis showing -99.99 might be blocked. If a reset didn’t solve the problem and you have verified that the axis is not blocked, then the Sonic may need to be returned to the factory for repair. Call us and describe the problem and what you’ve tried in order to resolve it, and we can help determine if it needs to be returned to the factory for repair. Refer to Section 7 – “Troubleshooting” in your Sonic Manual.

From the Main Menu, choose command F – “Reset to Factory Defaults”. This command is a single command operation. It is provided so the operator can return the Sonic system to a known group of settings. If there is any doubt about how the configuration has been set, this command can be used to reset back to a known starting point (9600 baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, & even parity), and things can then be re-entered to make changes. If there are any questions about this command or the settings used, please contact the factory.

The SATI series of Sonic Anemometers are made of Anodized Aluminum Stock.

A wide variety of instruments and sensors can be connected to the DataPacker/DataLogger, both analog and digital.  If you have any special digital sensor, contact the factory to make sure the DataPacker/DataLogger can accept the output.

There really is no limit.  Even though each unit can take 8 inputs, you can connect as many units together as you want to increase the quantity.

Yes.  If you have a computer connected to the output of the DataPacker/DataLogger, and are using a terminal emulator program, you can monitor the output and send commands to individually connect your computer to each of the sonics that are attached to the DataPacker/DataLogger.

The output data from all attached instruments and sensors are collected in one packet and this packet is stored on a standard SD card.  There are also options available for transmitting the output, depending on your application.  Check the options list for possibilities.

The DataPacker/DataLogger can be built into a desktop unit for indoor work or into a weatherproof box for outdoor work.