MINI RAWINSONDE SYSTEM

Q4. What is the significant difference between a radiosonde observation and a rawinsonde observation? Q5. What are the two types of upper-air observations still conducted by Navy and Marine Corps personnel? Q6. An aircraft deployed radiosonde is known by what term? Q7. What publication outlines procedures for all United States civilian and military upper-air observations? MINI RAWINSONDE SYSTEM LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the procedures used to conduct an upper-air observation using the Mini Rawinsonde System (MRS). Explain the correct balloon preparation procedures. Identify the modifications that must be made to the MRS- evaluated data to conform to WMO international a n d r e g i o n a l coding requirements, as well as national requirements. Figure 1-2.— AN/UMQ-12 MRS data receiver/processor and case. The AN/UMQ-12 mini rawinsonde system (MRS) is a highly compact, portable system ideal for shipboard, mobile team, and field use. It consists of a relatively lightweight (66-pound) computerized receiver/processor (fig. 1-2) mounted in a rugged, shock-absorbing case. The system also includes an RM-20 UHF telemetry antenna that receives data signals from the Vaisala RS-80 radiosonde transmitter, which is carried aloft by the balloon (fig. 1-3). Most MRS units are now equipped with a GPS antenna that is Figure 1-3.—Vaisala RS-80 series radiosonde instrument. 1-4