The Argus Monitoring System

An Argus station is a high definition environmental monitoring system that measures background gamma radiation at 10 minute intervals and other meteorological parameters as required.

Sensors are linked to a PC logging unit which records and archives data internally.

The remote Argus station can be accessed by phone from your desktop PC to view or download the latest data. The station also uploads data daily (or more often if required) to the Argus Project’s web site where graphs are automatically published on the World Wide Web. 

Alert messages and regular daily reports can be sent by the Argus station to mobile phones and email addresses.

Alert threshold settings and other system configuration can be carried out remotely from your desktop PC.

Update: 25th October 2002

		
Equipment and Software for the Argus Project is manufactured and marketed by: 		
ChromAudio Ltd, 15 St. Cuthbert’s Terrace, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 2EL		
Tel: +44-1434-600225  Fax: +44-01434-606371		
E-mail: ca@environment.org.uk		
Registered in England No:1976692 - Registered as above, VAT No:440944943		
Argus Station Design

The system can be built to your specific requirements. Available sensors include Gamma, Temperature, Barometric pressure, Rain, Wind direction, Wind speed, Humidity, UV and Solar among others.

Data Access

The data stored on the system may be viewed as graphs in the case of Gamma and as tables in the case of weather.  Access is directly by modem from any PC over the public phone network. Readings may be downloaded as “csv” text files for import into your preferred spreadsheet or database.

The system automatically phones out to your local Internet Service Provider on a regular or daily basis and on demand, to upload data to a central database on the Argus Web server where you see it as graphs and can compare readings with other Argus stations across Europe. This web publishing service is provided free of charge by the Argus Trust**.

Viewing and Printing On-Line Graphs

The Argus web site provides easy access to daily, monthly and yearly graphs. Multiple traces from selected stations and sensor types can be presented as individual or combined graphs.

All graphs can be saved from the web as bitmap or PNG image files for printing or report publishing.

Alerts

High and low threshold alerts on each sensor channel can be despatched to station operator specified contacts via email of as mobile phone SMS messages.

Daily Messages

These show current high, low and average readings for each sensor channel.

Configuration and Calibration

The system is managed remotely through a simple secure web style control panel from your PC. 

•	Calibration factors can be set for all sensor channels as required. 

•	Contact details of mobile phone numbers and email addresses, to which alerts and reports are sent, can be maintained.

•	Web publication may be triggered to send the most recent or selected readings.

•	Alert thresholds can be controlled for each sensor.

•	System logs can be viewed.

•	Connection to PABX systems can be configure if required.  

Backup and Support

Remote administration by the Argus team is available for maintenance and configuration.  

A benefit of the Argus Trust’s free web publishing service is that your system’s data is also on the Argus web server and may be retrieved if original data is lost.  However, this service is not guaranteed.

** The Argus Project is a Trust founded in 1986 by a group of friends and concerned people from the North East of England as a response to the Chernobyl disaster. It was set up to provide environmental data from monitoring stations built by the project for local authorities, universities, environmental groups and individuals. The primary focus of the Argus Trust is to scientifically record and archive background gamma radiation levels at a high resolution for future reference, research and analysis in the public interest.

GAMMA PROBE for Argus Stations
Probe Type	MC74L - low intrinsic background, energy compensated, environmental gamma probe.
Incorporates:
US manufactured LND Geiger Muller halogen quenched gamma detector:  78017
Integral EHT power supply and output pulse conditioning circuits. 
Overall weatherproof tubular aluminium enclosure.	
Probe Manufacturer	Thermo Electron Corporation	
Overall Probe dimensions	Length  507 mm. 
External diameter 31.6 mm.	
		
Maximum Doserate  for 137Cs	1 mSv/Hour, 0.83 mGy/Hour	
Fixed electronic dead time	200 µS.
Note: The GM dead time will reduce at higher dose rates.	
GM Detector effective dimensions	Length 240 mm.
Diameter 19.8 mm 	
		
Compensated GM detector - Sample response factors:		
Normalised for 60Cs.
The detector’s response was tested at 60 and 148 keV at five orientations for each energy. The detector’s response was also tested on phantom.
Centre of the detector was test reference point. 
Radiation beam normal to detector’s major axis.
Estimated uncertainty 10% at 95% confidence level.	Measured by National Radiological Protection Board UK, Report No. 10208. Equipment calibration directly traceable to National Physical Laboratories or NAMAS accredited calibration facilities. 
(Measurements made on the compensated LND78017 detector excluded the aluminium weatherproof enclosure of the MC74 assembly)	
		
     Gamma Radiation Quality:	Response Factor	
     60Co   (1250 keV)	1.25	
     137Cs   (662 keV)	1.00	
     X-radiation ISO Low Series:		
     248 keV	0.78	
     211 keV	0.83	
     185 keV	0.91	
     148 keV	1.05	
     109 keV	1.16	
     87 keV	1.13	
     60 keV	0.90 	
     48 keV	0.50	

Other Available Compatible Sensor Range

We are able to connect most types of sensors to our web publishing monitoring units, please ask us about any types not listed below.
 
	Light Sensors	
SKS 1110/I	Pyranometer sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKP 210/I	PAR 'Special' sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKP 215/I	PAR Quantum sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKE 510/I	PAR Energy Sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKL 310/I	Lux Sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKU 420/I	UV-A Sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKU 430/I	UV-B sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKR 110/I	660/730 Sensor* with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKR 1800/I	2 channel sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector - priced for 660/730 filters (other filters can be incorporated - please enquire)	
SKR 1850/I	4 channel sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKS 1150/I	Thermopile Pyranometer with 10 m cable and  Connector	
SKS 1160/I	Net Solar Radiation Sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKS 1170/I	NR LITE Net Radiometer with 3 m cable and  Connector	
	Wind Sensors	
A100R/I	Vector anemometer with 3 m cable and  Connector	
W200P/D1/I	Vector windvane with 3m cable and  Connector	
TC3124/I	Thies Clima windvane with 3 m cable and  Connector	
TC3151/I	Thies Clima anemometer with 3 m cable and  Connector	
	Accessories for wind sensors	
CAB/W	Extra Cable per metre	
ACC/12	Dual arm pole top mount for 2 wind sensors	
ACC/13	Single pole top mount for 1 wind sensor	
ACC/13A	Pole side mount for 1 sensor	
		
	Air Pressure Sensors	
SKPS 800/I	Barometer, temperature compensated with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKPS 820/I	Barometer with 3 m cable and  Connector	
	Accessories for air pressure sensors	
SKM 225	Pole / wall mount + fixings with short bracket	
SKM 226	Pole / wall mount + fixings with long bracket	
		
	Water level	
SKPS 1830/I	Water level sensor with 1m cable - accuracy ± 0.1%	
	0-350 mbar (for depths up to 3.5m) (other depths available, please enquire)	
SKPS 1730/I	Water level sensor with 1m cable - accuracy ± 0.25%	
	0-350 mbar (for depths up to 3.5m) (other depths available, please enquire)	
CAB/D	Extra cable per metre	
		
	Soil/Water Temperature	
SKTS 200/I	Thermistor probe with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKTS 200R/I	Thermistor probe + resistor suitable for use with  mV input, with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKTS 200U/M/I	Unsheathed micro thermistor probe for surface temperature, with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKTS200U/I	Unsheathed thermistor probes with 3 m cable and  Connector	
	Accessories	
SKRS 090	Mini radiation shield for SKTS probes	
SKRS 095	Larger version radiation shield for SKTS probes	

	Rain	
ARG 100/I	Raingauge with 6 m cable and  Connector	
	Accessories/Spares	
ARG 100S	Spares for raingauge, inc. gauze, cap and screws	
ARG 100T	Spare raingauge collecting top	
RGB1	Levelling plate & pegs for Raingauge	
	Surface Wetness	
SKLW 1900/I	Surface wetness sensor with 3 m cable and  Connector	
	Accessories	
SKM 225	Pole / wall mount + fixings with short bracket	
SKM 226	Pole / wall mount + fixings with long bracket	
		
	Air Temperature, Air Humidity	
SKH 2010/I	RH probe with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKH 2011/I	RH & air temperature probe with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKH 2021/I	Air temperature probe with 3 m cable and  Connector	
SKH 2040/I	Mini RH probe with 3m. Cable &  Connector	
	Accessories	
SKRS 080S	Radiation screen, with short bracket, 'V' bolts, nuts, washers	
SKRS 080L	Radiation screen, long bracket, 'V' bolts, nuts, washers	
SKRS 080T	Radiation screen - table mounting	
SKRS 080M	Radiation screen for Mini RH probe	
ACC/17	Protective covers (2) for RH probes. Manufactured from a breathable fabric	
RECAL	Recalibration of RH and/or Temperature probes	
H6000	Replacement Humidity sensing element	
SKH 1093	RH Recalibration kit	
CAB/H	Extra cable per metre	
		
	Tensiometers	
	Electronic (automatic) type	
SKT 600/I	Tensiometer - 20cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 605/I	Tensiometer - 30cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 610/I	Tensiometer - 40cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 615/I	Tensiometer - 50cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 620/I	Tensiometer - 60cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 625/I	Tensiometer - 70cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 630/I	Tensiometer - 80cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 635/I	Tensiometer - 90cm shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
SKT 640/I	Tensiometer - 1m shaft, 3m cable and  connector	
		
	Mini Tensiometers (electronic automatic)	
SKTM 650/10/I	Mini Tensiometers 10cm shaft, 3m. Cable and  connector	
SKTM 650/20/I	Mini Tensiometers 20cm shaft, 3m. Cable and  connector	
SKTM 650/30/I	Mini Tensiometers 30cm shaft, 3m. Cable and  connector	
SKTM 650/40/I	Mini Tensiometers 40cm shaft, 3m. Cable and  connector	
SKTM 650/50/I	Mini Tensiometers 50cm shaft, 3m. Cable and  connector	
		
	Accessories/Spares	
TEN/1	Spare filling screw/`O' ring - set of 5	
TEN/2	Replacement ceramic bulb & shaft (20cm)	
TEN/3	Spare PVC boot	
TEN/5	Syringe and filling tube 	
CAB/H	Extra cable per metre