A SMALL TETHERED BALLOON SOUNDING SYSTEM.

Abstract

A SMALL, PORTABLE, TETHERED BALLOON SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND PROVEN BY USE IN A VARIETY OF FIELD PROGRAMS BY THE FIELD OBSERVING FACILITY OF NCAR.A MODERNISED VERSION IS NOW AVAILABLE.IT CAN BE OPERATED BY ONE PERSON IN WIND SPEEDS UP TO 10 M/S.IT SENSES PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, WET-BULB TEMPERATURE, WIND SPEED AND WIND DIRECTION, AND TRANSMITS DATA TO THE SURFACE IN A TIME MULTIPLEX FORMAT.PROVISION IS MADE FOR OTHER SENSORS, AND A TEMPERATURE STRUCTURE FUNCTION SENSOR HAS BEEN USED.THE OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE FOR THE SYSTEM IS NOMINALLY 750M.(A).