These field notes were compiled from e-mails of Jon Lutz, and small notes attached to the removable storage drives.
Topics:
From Jon Lutz, 7-May-2004, to T. Lang via email: Tim Just some quick news from the Cabo radar. The good news is that we will have a wireless internet connection to the radar. It turns out that the radar site is used for a wireless repeater location. The radar is mostly functional except that there is no elevation control. The slip rings need repair (13k$) and it is not known when this cost will be approved,or the task accomplished. The other part is that the EEC software was "upgraded" and the radar will no longer do volume scans. Possibly the older software version can be re-installed. There will be no problem installing the HIQ processor at Cabo, but for now it is dependent on the EEC antenna control. Hopefully all this confusion can be resolved, however situations like this are typical. Palmito and Gusave use the old software so we are Ok there. Palmito still is not operational. I have ordered a satellite receiver for internet access at Gusave. Discussions with RAP for the TITAN installations are ongoing. I'll be back in Boulder next week. Jon
From Jon Lutz, 9-Jul-2004, to R. Rilling via email:
Bob
The time error for the Guasave data up to 7/2/04
is as follows:
Time on the computer 13:06:01
Actual time 21:08:00 GMT
This means add 8 hrs 1 min and 59 sec to get
the GMT time.
After 7/2/04 times will be correct so this problem
should only happenthis one time.
Jon
From Jon Lutz, 9-Jul-2004, to R. Rilling via personal communication: The maximum range was increased at Guasave on 2-Jul. Gates were added, with gate size kept the same. This is reflected in a change in size of the hourly data sets.
From Jon Lutz, 24-Jul-2004, to R. Rilling via email:
Bob
Here they are:
Obregon: N 27 28.909
W 109 56.741
Alt 81m
Guasave: N 25 34.055
W 108 27.80
Alt 60m
Cabo San Lucas N 22 52.872
W 109 55.605
Alt 271m
El Palmito N 25 45.336
W 104 54.274
Alt 2209 m
The altitudes are for the base of the tower. I guess
add about 10 m except for Guasave which would add 25
m.
GPS altitudes are only good to 20 m anyway I think.
Jon
[Note: this information applies to Guasave data for dates 12-Jul to 29/30-Jul.]
From Jon Lutz, 24-Jul-2004, to R. Rilling via email:
Bob
[Blank] is returning tomorrow with two Kangurus,
from Guasave and Cabo. The Guasave data has a bad
offset because I was fooled when I first arrived there
with the test equipment. The DBZ of the noise at 120
km should be about 0 DBZ. Also the noise power in the
data should be about minus 110. Both the transmit
power and the receiver gain were off quite a bit on
this 2nd disk. The first disk was closer. The disk
being recorded now is OK. The CABO data doesnt need
any corrections at this time.
Thanks
Jon
From Jon Lutz, 13-Aug-2004, to R. Rilling via email:
Bob
There is mounting evidence that the velocities on
the SMN radars are backwards. Would it be possible for
someone to give an opinion using the raw data files?
All we have here are the Titan images. Its complicated
by different elevation angles and folding.
Also it appears that the reflectivities for
Guasave are off a lot. We compared the same storm
midway between the two radars. Again this was only on
the Titan images.
Jean made copies of some recent data. Arturo flew to
Cabo to get the next Kanguru from there which he will
give to Jean.
Any news?
Jon
From R. Rilling to David Ahijevych, email of 10-Dec-04: David, The missing Guasave SMN radar data has been recovered in its entirety. It will be transferred to the Mass-Store this weekend. Please note that the data record *is* compromised: the Met Staff at the radar turned the recording off on 22-Jul, and it was not turned on again until Jon Lutz arrived on 29-Jul. Bob Rilling
