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HOBO® RX Wireless Sensor Network

  

RXW EC-5 or 10H Soil Moisture Sensor (RXW-SMx-xxx) Manual 

22241-A 

This sensor measures soil moisture and is designed to work with the HOBOnet Wireless Sensor 
Network in which data is transmitted wirelessly from the sensor mote across the network to 
the RX3000 station and then uploaded to HOBOlink® web-based software. With HOBOlink, you 
can monitor sensor readings, view graphs, set up alarms, download data, and more. 

Specifications 

 RXW-SMC-xxx

 

RXW-SMD-xxx

 

Measurement Range 

In soil: 0 to 0.550 m³/m³ (volumetric 
water content) 

In soil: 0 to 0.570 m³/m³ (volumetric 
water content) 

Extended Range 

-0.401 to 2.574 m³/m³; see Note 1 

-0.659 to 0.6026 m³/m³; see Note 1 

Accuracy 

±0.031 m³/m³ (±3.1%) typical 0 to 
50°C (32° to 122°F) for mineral 
soils up to 8 dS/m and ±0.020 
m³/m³ (±2%) with soil specific 
calibration; see Notes 2 and 3 

±0.033 m³/m³ (±3.3%) typical 0 to 
50°C (32° to 122°F) for mineral soils 
up to 10 dS/m and ±0.020 m³/m³ 
(±2%) with soil specific calibration; 
see Notes 4 and 5 

Resolution 

0.0007 m³/m³ (0.07%) 

0.0008 m³/m³ (0.08%) 

Volume of Influence 

0.3 liters (10.14 oz) 

1 liter (33.81 oz) 

Sensor Frequency 

70 MHz 

70 MHz 

METER ECH

2

O Probe Part 

No. 

EC-5 10HS 

Sensor Operating 
Temperature Range 

0° to 50°C (32° to 122°F). Although 
the sensor probe and cable can 
safely operate at below-freezing 
temperatures (to -40°C/F), the soil 
moisture data collected at these 
extreme temperatures is outside 
of the sensor’s accurate 
measurement range. 

0° to 50°C (32° to 122°F). Although 
the sensor probe and cable can 
safely operate at below-freezing 
temperatures (to -40°C/F), the soil 
moisture data collected at these 
extreme temperatures is outside of 
the sensor’s accurate 
measurement range. Extended 
temperatures above 50°C (122°F) 
will decrease mote battery life. 

Wireless Mote 

 

Operating Temperature 
Range 

-25° to 60°C (-13° to 140°F) with rechargeable batteries 
-40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F) with lithium batteries

 

Radio Power 

12.6 mW (+11 dBm) non-adjustable 

Transmission Range 

Reliable connection to 457.2 m (1,500 ft) line of sight at 1.8 m (6 ft) high 
Reliable connection to 609.6 m (2,000 ft) line of sight at 3 m (10 ft) high 

Wireless Data Standard 

IEEE 802.15.4 

Radio Operating 
Frequencies 

RXW-SMC-900 and RXW-SMD-900: 904–924 MHz 
RXW-SMC-868 and RXW-SMD-868: 866.5 MHz 
RXW-SMC-922 and RXW-SMD-922: 916–924 MHz 

Modulation Employed 

OQPSK (Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) 

Data Rate 

Up to 250 kbps, non-adjustable 

Duty Cycle 

<1% 

Maximum Number of 
Motes 

50 motes per one RX Wireless Sensor Network 

Battery Type/ 
Power Source 

Two AA 1.2V rechargeable NiMH batteries, powered by built-in solar 
panel or two AA 1.5 V lithium batteries for operating conditions of -40 to 
70°C (-40 to 158°F) 

Battery Life 

With NiMH batteries: Typical 3–5 years when operated in the temperature 
range -20° to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F) and positioned toward the sun (see 

Deployment and Mounting

), operation outside this range will reduce the 

battery service life 
With lithium batteries: 1 year, typical use 

RXW EC-5 or 10H Soil 
Moisture Sensor 

Models: 

 

RXW-SMC-900 and  
RXW-SMD-900 (US) 

 

RXW-SMC-868 and  
RXW-SMD-868 (Europe) 

 

RXW-SMC-922 and  
RXW-SMD-922 
(Australia/NZ) 

Included Items: 

 

Protective cap 

 

Cable ties 

 

Screws 

 

RXW 10HS model shown 

Summary of Contents for RXW 10HS

Page 1: ...d cable can safely operate at below freezing temperatures to 40 C F the soil moisture data collected at these extreme temperatures is outside of the sensor s accurate measurement range Extended temperatures above 50 C 122 F will decrease mote battery life Wireless Mote Operating Temperature Range 25 to 60 C 13 to 140 F with rechargeable batteries 40 to 70 C 40 to 158 F with lithium batteries Radio...

Page 2: ... as those outlined in IEC 61000 4 3 and IEC 61000 4 6 is reduced to 0 061 m m The system level accuracy will be particularly affected when placed in an electric field of 3 V m or greater in the 70 MHz range RFI mitigation practices and physical deployment changes may reduce the systems susceptibility Note 4 RXW SMD xxx This is a system level accuracy specification and is comprised of the probe s a...

Page 3: ...blink and then the bars in the icon will cycle from left to right The x icon will blink during the last step in the network registration process see Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor Network for details LCD Symbol Description This indicates a problem with the sensor itself the mote is operational Check the sensor and make any adjustments to it as needed Contact Onset Technical Support if t...

Page 4: ... the next time the RX3000 station connects to HOBOlink See the HOBOlink Help for details on how to change the logging and connection intervals view data check mote status add the mote to a map and more Deployment and Mounting Mounting and Positioning the Mote Mount the mote to a mast or pipe using cable ties or affix the mote to a wooden post or flat surface with screws Insert the cable ties or sc...

Page 5: ...soil auger to make a hole to the desired depth an angled hole is best and push the probes into undisturbed soil at the bottom of the hole Alternatively dig a hole and push the probes into the side of the hole If the probe has a protective cap on the end remove it before placing the probe into the hole To push the probe into the soil use a PVC pipe with slots for the sensor and a longer slot for th...

Page 6: ...attery recharges to 2 3 V If the batteries are unable to be recharged replace them with fresh rechargeable batteries Note if you install used rechargeable batteries that together are less than 2 3 V the mote will not resume operation To replace rechargeable batteries 1 Open the mote door 2 Remove the old batteries and install fresh ones observing polarity 3 Make sure the solar panel cable is plugg...

Page 7: ...ning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help This d...

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