Telescoping light sensor mount above growth canopy

An apparatus for elevating a sensor above a crop growth canopy, the apparatus comprising:

• an extendable pole capable of extending between a lowered and raised position, the extendable pole having a coupling to secure the pole in a fixed lowered position and a fixed raised position;
• an arm member extending outward from an upper end of the pole;
• a light sensor mount positioned at an outer end of the arm member;
• a support having a central column, an upper spacer member slidingly coupled to the central column, a lower spacer member slidingly coupled to the central column below the upper spacer member, and at least three folding legs linked to the central column, wherein each leg having an end portion rotationally joined to the upper spacer member and having a linkage that rotationally links a mid-portion of each leg to the lower spacer member;
• a remote data transmit module housing coupled to an upper end of the central column of the support member;
• and
• wherein the support and the remote data transmit module housing are releasably coupled to the extendable pole.

A method for continuously positioning a sensor above a crop growth canopy, the method including the steps of:

• providing at least one field unit for positioning within a boundary of a crop growth canopy, wherein the field unit includes:
• an extendable pole capable of extending between a lowered and raised position, the extendable pole having a coupling to secure the pole in a fixed lowered position and a fixed raised position;
• an arm member extending outward from an upper end of the pole;
• a sensor mount positioned at an outer end of the arm member;
• a support having a central column, an upper spacer member slidingly coupled to the central column, a lower spacer member slidingly coupled to the central column below the upper spacer member, and at least three folding legs linked to the central column, wherein each leg having an end portion rotationally joined to the upper spacer member and having a mid-portion rotationally joined to the lower spacer member;
• a remote data transmit module housing coupled to an upper end of the central column of the support member;
• wherein the support and the remote data transmit module housing are releasably coupled to the extendable pole and wherein the arm member is adjustable to remain above the crop growth canopy;
• linking wirelessly the field unit to a base station;
• and
• transmitting data from the field unit to the base station.