[NLRS] RF read water meters

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

Found more searching for Badger Orion. One tech reference says:
> WIRELESS ORION RF TRANSMITTER
> The ORION transmitter operates in the 902-928 MHz frequency
> band at 916.45 MHz, which requires no FCC licensing. The
> transmitter sends a fixed value RF signal to the serialized receiver
> approximately every 4 seconds. The transmitter is powered
> using an internal lithium battery and is encapsulated to ensure
> moisture resistance. It is factory programmed and requires no
> configuration in the field. A transmitter mounting kit consisting
> of a threaded cap and nut is supplied with the kit and can be
> used to install the transmitter in a valve box cover for testing,
 > if required.

http://www.badgermeter.com/Industrial/Impeller-Products/Sensors/Wireless-Sensors/DTB-074-Series-350EV-Tech-Brief.aspx

One I found says there's 3.6 volts of lithium battery with expected life 
of 10 years while transmitting data every 4 seconds. One said 915.450. 
My VX5R handheld detects nothing on that frequency.

> http://www.wateronline.com/doc.mvc/Badger-GALAXY-Fixed-Network-Meter-Reading-0001

> Look to Badger's GALAXY® for Fixed Network meter reading!
>
> Now there's no need to go out and get meter readings. GALAXY employs high-powered meter transmitters using an economical network of signal repeaters and data collectors to bring AMR to your desktop.

There's more than one scheme:
> The Tantalus Hybrid Wireless Network combines a 220 MHz wide area network (WAN) with a 900 MHz local area network (LAN) to create a
> hybrid solution that delivers efficient and affordable two-way data communications with excellent range and data throughput.
> 1. Endpoints transmit data over a 900 MHz LAN (yellow lines below) to a 220 MHz WAN Transceiver (blue dot below).
> 2. Endpoints equipped with the 200 MHz transceiver store all the data from the surrounding meters and transmit data directly to
> the Base Station over the WAN (white lines below).
> 3. The WAN Transceiver relays the data to a Network Controller at the Base Station.
> 4. The Network Controller stores the data and delivers it to the utility via a TCP/IP connection.

That's from > 
http://www.badgermeter.com/getdoc/0c5a5cc7-b2f4-4856-9829-55b9b5ee74ae/tan-b-01-pdf.aspx

Some general comments at:
> http://www.gridinsight.com/products/amrusb-1/amrusb-1-f-a-q/

Arden Hill, MN discussion:

> http://www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us/vertical/sites/%7B376A25A1-53F5-4768-BB37-F5FF4BC3A716%7D/uploads/8A_Consider_Purchase_of_New_Water_Meter_Readers.pdf

A recent patent with history:
> http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8217804.html

 From this it looks like all meters transmit at short intervals and the 
receiver update delay I see comes from the next automatic transmit, and 
that frequency may be hopping within the 902-928 MHz band.
> http://www.waterworld.com/articles/print/volume-26/issue-5/ace-features/timing-intervals-.html

There are another 9000+ hits that I've not explored:
> http://www.google.com/search?as_q=badger+meter+orion+frequency&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&safe=images&tbs=&as_filetype=&as_rights=#q=badger+meter+orion+frequency+mhz&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all&prmd=imvns&ei=LusKULvxMcqU2AWOzuQF&start=50&sa=N&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=3eb02edab20eed3a&biw=1015&bih=617



On 7/21/2012 9:34 AM, Jim Klassen wrote:
>
>
> Thanks everyone for the responses.
>
> It sounds like there is nothing to worry about w.r.t. the new meter.
>
> 73,
> Jim Klassen (KB0UAZ)
>
73, Jerry, K0CQ