The Reliability of USU Telemetered Precipitation Data: 1. The Counter Precision Factor for 8 inch by 36 inch Gages

The telemetered precipitation data are read out as frequency or period numbers by an electronic counter. These counts are to be converted to inches of precipitation. The readout electronic count is within 1 count of the transmitted count. This study applies only to the 8 x 36 cans Using the frequency count readout gives a precision of +-.02 to +-.05 of water equivalence and varies between .02 and .04 when there is between 10 and 30 of water equivalence in the can. Period counts give more precise measurements, ranging between +-.01 and +-.03 of precipitation over the whole scale. It is only +-.01 when there is between 15 and 35 of water equivalence in the can. The study also provides an interim set of tables for converting frequency and period counts to precipitation amounts