Information on Aquaterr 200 Soil Moisture Meter

[Graham Harris <harrisg@dpi.qld.gov.au>]

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One of my clients recently brought to my attention a soil moisture measurement device sold by Spectrum Technologies called the Aquaterr 200 Soil Moisture Meter.  He was interested in it for use in raingrown cropping as a means of determining stored soil moisture which is an important issue when making planting decisions here in Central Queensland.  Is anyone familiar with this device?  I have several questions about it: * How is it meant to work?
* How accurate is it?
* How robust is it for use in the manner suggested?

There is only limited information at the Spectrum Web Site (at http://www.specmeters.com) on this device. 

Regards,
Graham Harris CPAg
Find the Aussie-Nets at: <http://lists.dpi.qld.gov.au/> 
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Farming Systems Institute
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[Bruce comments:
>From a brief search, I also came up with very little useful information.
However, in the sowacs archives there is one occurence of "Aquaterr" - in 1996, and it, too is a request for more information on this sensor: www.sowacs.com/archives/arch.9612/msg00028.html (attached below) Perhaps from this post, some useful info has come to light that could be shared through sowacs?

(Please note that I am currently updating all the archives into an indexed easy to use format, but navigation of the archives is not yet complete).


Richard Mead has another photo of this on his website: http://www.microirrigationforum.com/new/sensors/aqpr.html ends]

==========================
>FROM THE SOWACS ARCHIVES:

`Aquaterr' soil moisture probes

     To: sowacs@aqua.ccwr.ac.za 
     
Subject:: `Aquaterr' soil moisture probes 
     
From: Graeme D Buchan <BUCHAN@tui.lincoln.ac.nz> 
     Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 11:06:47 +1300 
     Organization: Lincoln University 
     Priority: normal 
     Sender: owner-sowacs@aqua.ccwr.ac.za 


Greetings to all soil hydroscholars.

I seek information on the `Aquaterr' range of soil moisture probes (spike-type probes, which are pushed into the soil for quick spot readings, and apparently based on a capacitance principle).

* First, I wish to contact the US supplier, and would appreciate a contact address (preferably email).   I have tried to contact this firm using outdated brochures, but without success.
* Second, I would be grateful for comments on the utility of these probes, specifically for use in turfgrass or tree irrigation (i.e. 
municipal and recreational use, rather than in research). 
Thankyou,

Graeme Buchan, NZ


Dr Graeme D Buchan,  
Reader in Environmental Physics & Environmental Education, Dept. of Soil Science, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand