Lessons Learned Using Radiotelemetry for Wildland Hydrologic Research

Over the past ten years, a 13-station network of hydrometeorological sensor platforms has been installed and operated within the Upper Lake Winona basin of the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas for hydrologic research. During this time, the author has been forced to learn many lessons while implementing and using the radiotelemetry (RT) system associated with this network. RT is the use of radio transceivers to send data and commands between the user's computer and one or more field stations where data are being collected. Once online, an RT system can eliminate the time personnel spend in the field retrieving data from automated sensors, it can allow more frequent and automated data retrieval from field sites, and it can greatly improve the efficiency of manual sampling during storm-events by allowing field conditions (e.g., streamflow stage) to be determined before crews are deployed. However, use of an RT system also presents several challenges that are not well documented. Among these challenges are the additional equipment costs, the additional implementation time to bring an RT system online, and the concern over faster equipment obsolescence. Still other concerns are the potential for increased vandalism, site access control issues, and the additional technical knowledge required to use RT equipment. These lessons lead me to offer several recommendations to those considering using RT systems: 1. The value of RT use increases with the duration of the research. 2. Be very careful of site access and control issues. 3. Buy from equipment suppliers with strong technical support services. 4. Be aware that regular field visits will still be necessary. 5. Thoroughly document all equipment, configurations, specifications, and procedures used in the RT system.