Hobbies And Interests
Vane Basics
Wind vanes indicate wind direction. Anything that spins freely in the wind and points can be used as a wind vane. Many of us have seen the wind vanes with the rooster figurine spinning over barns. They require only some kind of tail blown away from the wind direction and a pointer facing in the opposite direction. Combined with a compass, these give an accurate wind direction.
Anemometer Basics
Anemometers measure wind speed. There are multiple design strategies for making anemometers, the most common being an element that spins in the wind with minimum resistance. Some, however, rise with the strength of the wind, and the degree of rise is calculated to determine wind speed.
Designs and Uses
Do-it-yourself designs for combined vane-anemometers are widely available online, ranging from highly technical to mechanically simple. They are useful to sports enthusiasts such as skydivers, to science enthusiasts and for teaching young people about weather.