RenoBasin-2002: Logbook Entries

RenoBasin-2002: RADAR Messages: 4 Entries..

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Entry Date Title Site Author #Graphics
26 Tue 05-Mar-2002RARAR Data lost 00-1730 Z March 5trademarkSteve
12 Fri 01-Mar-2002RARAR PARAMETERS: DISCUSSIONtrademarkSteve
11 Fri 01-Mar-2002RARAR PARAMETERS: WASHOE LAKEwashoelakeSteve
10 Fri 01-Mar-2002RARAR PARAMETERS: TRADEMARK DRIVEtrademarkSteve


26: RADAR, Site trademark, Tue 05-Mar-2002 17:51:23 GMT, RARAR Data lost 00-1730 Z March 5
The profiler PC rebooted itself around 1730 (9:30am) while I was
drilling new holes for reflectors. The SPC files was lost so no data
will be available from 0000-1730 Z March 5. Except the serial moments
should be ok.
12: RADAR, Site trademark, Fri 01-Mar-2002 12:27:17 GMT, RARAR PARAMETERS: DISCUSSION
UPDATE: 05 Mar 2002: Created an additiona PAR file: rno_r2. This may be
a better rain mode for melting layer study. The RNO_M PAR file was
modified to do MEAN spectral averaging instead of ICRA. Then there is
enough dsp memory to sample 82 ranges up to 5.0 km. So we can see the
melting layer with 60 m resolution and see higher. Only compromise is
if birds are present.

So TWO PRIMARY MODES ARE RNO_I in inversion/clear weather and
RNO_R2 for rain, melting layer, or fronts (with rain) study.
(END UPDATE).    


WASHOE LAKE:
------------
Because the clutter is worse in yvery and y-sou, we are using 3-beam sets
(xvert, x+eas, y+nor). Also, I set up a RASS consensus time of 7 minutes
to get better temperature profiles.

TRADEMARK DRIVE
---------------
At this site there is a lot of clutter in all beams. I am using a 3-beam
sequence mostly for consistency with the Washoe Lake site.

rno_r   rain mode
rno_m   melting layer mode
rno_f   fronts mode
rno_i   inversion mode
rno_c   chinook mode
rno_t   test mode
rno_tr  test RASS mode

We should try using melting layer mode in mose rain situations. and inversion
mode in most clear air situations. The test modes should be run occasionally
(once each week?) to check that beam switching is working well.

If second trip echoes are seen while in melting layer mode, then consider
changing to rain mode. If the winds are noisy while in melting layer or rain
mode, then consider changing to fronts mode.

If the winds are aliased while in inversion mode, the consider switching
to chinook mode.

BUT changes should be kept to a minimum because it will cause NIMA to crash
for that day.


11: RADAR, Site washoelake, Fri 01-Mar-2002 12:20:52 GMT, RARAR PARAMETERS: WASHOE LAKE
I have set up several parameter files for different weather. See discussion
in seperate radar log entry.

For all parameter files:
LAT:   39.25 N
LON:  119.81 W
ALT: 1566 m
ID Code: 502 (ISS2)

BEAMS:
  NAME    AZ   ZEN  CODE  CLUTTER ON 02-22-2002 (Friday)
  yvert    13    0  22    a lot of clutter to far ranges 
  xvert   103    0  21    fairly clean
  y+nor    13   21  38    light clutter to 700 m
  y-sou   193   21  26    a lot of clutter to far ranges
  x+eas   103   21  25    light clutter to 500 m
  x-wes   283   21  37    light clutter to 500 m

Conclusion is to use: yxert. x+. y+ in 3 beam sequence.

                      RXBW   DELAY (ns)
CLKPER:   100 ns       400   1000 
PRETR:   2000          700   1100 
POSTTR      0         1700   1700
PREBLNK: 2000         3300   2000
POSTBK:   600
SYNC:     200  


RASS USES 2048 pts; parameter set 4;
Air signal:  -9.2 to 9.2 m/s
T signal:    -15C to 25C (change to -20C on 01-Mar)
acoustic:    -18C to 28C (change to -23C on 01-Mar)
RASS CNS time is 7 min (55%; 2.0 m/s); don't subtract clear air.

RASS PAR SET #4
---------------
IPP      20
PW      400
NCODE     0
NHTS     25
DELAY  1800
SPACE   400
NCI      10
NSPEC    24
NFFT   2048
SCALE   409.6
DWELL    30
HT L      0.12
HT H      1.56
IPP       2.68
PULSE    60

PARAMETER FILES
---------------

rno_t     test - cycle through all beams; no RASS
rno_tr    test RASS - continuous RASS
rno_r     rain mode - high altitude, 50% vertical dwells; wide Nyquist
rno_c     chinook mode (high winds) - 60 m resolution, large Nyquist, short IPP.
rno_i     inversion mode - short IPP, 60 m resolution, 30 min cns; 50% vertical
rno_m     melting layer mode - 50% vertical, 60 m, wide Nyquist
rno_f     fronts mode - long IPP, wide Nyquist.

(see PAR files for details).

10: RADAR, Site trademark, Fri 01-Mar-2002 11:56:37 GMT, RARAR PARAMETERS: TRADEMARK DRIVE
I have set up several parameter files for different weather. See discussion
in seperate radar log entry.

For all parameter files:
LAT:   39.45 N
LON:  119.74 W
ALT: 1351 m
ID Code: 503 (ISS3)

NOTE: Bean names do not match directions because of change (fix) in
directions in Feb 25 (before project begins). Winds should be correct
after 20Z on Feb 25.

BEAMS:
  NAME    AZ   ZEN  CODE  CLUTTER ON 02-24-2002 (Sunday)
                          (calm surface wind conditions)
  yvert   175    0  22    clutter on scope to 1 km, but data look ok. 
  xvert   265    0  21    similar to yvert. but stronger clutter and spurs
  y+wes   175   21  38    clutter in lowest 700 m
  y-eas   355   21  26    similar to y+
  x+nor   265   21  25    strong clutter to 800 m; strong spurs
  x-sou    85   21  37    similar to x+

The noise level on the scope will "pulse" frequently, raising the noise
level of the spectra. This maybe because of the cell tower nearby.

Checking clutter a little later (Feb 24) with surface winds about 4 m/s:
Looks like yvery has slightly less clutter than xvert.
y+ and y- about the same, y- maybe a touch less so use it in 3-beam sequence.
x+ and x-: x- is just slightly better, but still all have a lot of clutter.

Conclusion is to use: yvery. x-. y- in 3 beam sequence.

                      RXBW   DELAY (ns)
CLKPER:   100 ns       400   1000 
PRETR:   2000          700   1100 
POSTTR      0         1700   1700
PREBLNK: 2000         3300   2000
POSTBK:   600
SYNC:     200  


RASS USES 2048 pts; parameter set 4;
Air signal:  -9.2 to 9.2 m/s
T signal:    -15C to 25C (change to -20C on 01-Mar)
acoustic:    -18C to 28C (change to -23C on 01-Mar)
RASS CNS time is 7 min (55%; 2.0 m/s); don't subtract clear air.

RASS PAR SET #4
---------------
IPP      20
PW      400
NCODE     0
DELAY  1800
SPACE   400
NCI      10
NSPEC    24
NFFT   2048
SCALE   409.6
DWELL    30
HT L      0.12
HT H      1.56
IPP       2.79
PULSE    60

PARAMETER FILES
---------------

rno_t     test - cycle through all beams; no RASS
rno_tr    test RASS - continuous RASS
rno_r     rain mode - high altitude, 50% vertical dwells; wide Nyquist
rno_c     chinook mode (high winds) - 60 m resolution, large Nyquist, short IPP.
rno_i     inversion mode - short IPP, 60 m resolution, 30 min cns; 50% vertical
rno_m     melting layer mode - 50% vertical, 60 m, wide Nyquist
rno_f     fronts mode - long IPP, wide Nyquist.

(se PAR files for details).