About

About Me

JG Wall
2 Mins read

Last updated on February 4th, 2023 at 12:42 am

MY STORY

My name is Jim, and my wife and I own and manage 40 acres southwest of Austin, TX, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. We’ve lived here for 20 years, but the land continues to be passed down in the family for generations since 1869.

Austin, Texas, is a booming town, and our once-rural setting has seen continued growth and urban sprawl. So in 2017, my wife and I converted our acreage from agriculture use to wildlife conservation activities to maintain open space and preserve water quality.
Aside from our land Stewardship activities, my wife and I enjoy traveling, reading, writing, and I am an Amateur Radio operator licensed by the FCC.

View of Texas Hill Country
Texas Hill Country

A RAIN GAUGE CAN SAVE RESOURCES AND MONEY

Ever since I was a kid visiting my grandparent’s farm In rural Oklahoma, I understood the relationship between rainfall and crop yields.

My grandparents grew alfalfa hay to feed the livestock through the sometimes harsh and brutal winters in Oklahoma. Suppose the right amount of rain would fall in the right location at the optimal frequency, making all the difference between crop yields and cuttings during the growing seasons.

Rainfall to a farmer is what a truck is to a trucker, and it’s vital for the whole operation. To be clear, water is a precious commodity, and it’s being stretched.

Fast forward to today, our home realize on a well as our primary source of water. Its supply is not infinite, and we must conserve and find cleaver capture methods to protect that resource; as the saying goes, “without water, you have nothing.”

I believe a homeowner’s understanding of their annual rainfall will help them make informed decisions on watering needs in and around their home. Not only does it help protect our water resources, but a simple Rain Gauge can save you money.

WHAT CAN I LEARN

This blog aims to inform and evaluate standard backyard weather equipment from analog to digital models. It’s not always clear trying to figure out the best equipment for my environment.

Hopefully, you will come away with more knowledge on the potential of having accurate data available to you. The blog will also publish insightful articles, product reviews, and tips about eco-friendly resources and the best way to protect our environment for future generations.

If you ever need a hand or have any questions, feel free to leave them below and I will be more than happy to help you out.

All the best,

Jim
jim@theraingauge.com

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Jim is an avid weather enthusiast and Amateur Radio operator. Attends Skywarn Storm Spotter training conducted by the National Weather Service. Jim and his wife are committed to preserving open space for water quality and conservation. Essential for the environment and sustainability for future generations. He also enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and spending time with his family outdoors.

3 Comments

  1. Rick Kirby

    October 1, 2022 4:28 am

    Hi Jim;
    Love the blog. I too am a ham operator and took the Skywarn course. I am looking to get my first home weather station. I am leaning towards one of the Ambient products. My only concern is the rain gauge. My equipment will be mounted on the side of my tower up around 30 feet. Thats a good height for the wind equipment but from all I have been reading, the rain gauge should be mounted a few feet above ground. There are a couple of other product lines that allow for separating the sensors . I was wondering what sort of accuracy you were getting with your gauge at height .Have you ever compared it to a manual gauge?

    Thanks
    Rick KA2PBO

    1. JG Wall

      October 2, 2022 11:09 pm

      Hi Rick,
      Congrats on getting your ticket! Ham radio is a great hobby and storm spotting is just one of the many facets of Amateur Radio. The Ambient all-in-one sensor array is a limiting factor in collecting rainfall in windy areas, especially on a tower. I did end up purchasing the WS-5000 to get the separate rain gauge that can be mounted separately from the wind sensor. It is more expensive than say the WS-2090c. I still rely on my trusty Stratus for the most accurate readings but it does require emptying and recording. It’s been so dry in Texas this year I’m more likely to empty spider webs than water. 🙂 Jim

  2. Rick

    October 10, 2022 6:28 am

    Thanks Jim,
    I know what you mean. I didn’t cut the grass the entire summer up here in Pennsylvania! The WS-5000 looks like a real nice station, but I think maybe a little out of my amateur league. The Stratus rain gauge seems to be what the professionals use, and I wouldn’t mind emptying it. I think the WS-2902 and a Stratus rain gauge would get the job done for me.
    Thanks for the help and 73 !
    Rick KA2PBO

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