AWS Performance

Thirty-eight AWS units were installed at the start of 1994 and 47 were installed by the end of 1994. Based on the installation months the AWS units delivered 84% of the temperature data, 87% of the pressure data and 76% of the wind data during 1994. Complete data sets were received from 12 AWS units and 24 AWS units operated for the installed period. Fourteen AWS units were not received for one month or more during the year or stopped during the year.

The wind system has the poorest performance. If the wind speed is zero or the wind direction is constant for extended periods (days to months) then the data is considered invalid. The reason for this behavior is not known but is believed to be due to the build up of frost on the wind system. This usually occurs in the winter season and at several AWS sites. The wind speed is most frequently zero when the wind direction is constant. Another problem with the wind system involves the tachometer for measuring wind speed. The brushes on the Belfort aerovane quickly wear down and fill the gaps between the contacts with brush material, shorting out the tachometer output. As a result we do not know the calibration. The problem is in the construction of the tachometer, so we have begun to install a new wind system manufactured by R.M. Young. They are currently operating at Kelly, Nico, Henry, and Lindsay sites.


SitePerformance
D-10Station stopped 14 June, resumed mid-August, periods of missing winds, repaired 26 December.
D-47No data transmission until 17 July, off again after September.
D-80Repaired on 31 January.
Dome COK.
Port MartinAerovane not functioning in January, no transmissions until end of August. Aerovane not functioning August to 26 December. Aerovane replaced 27 December.
Cape DenisonDelta-T sensor not installed, intermittent transmission end of April-May, stopped June-July, intermittent transmission August-September, aerovane not functioning until replaced 27 December.
Penguin PointStation not transmitting until 28 December due to a broken antenna.
SuttonInstalled 26 December.
Cape WebbInstalled 28 December, Hydro Tech wind speed system installed without the impeller, but with the aerovane for wind direction.
ByrdTemperature sensor broken until 30 January when system was repaired and reinstalled. Aerovane not operating last part of April and most of June-October.
Mount SiplePressure erratic in summer half of year. Site has a "dog house" AWS without wind speed and direction.
HarryInstalled 29 November.
J.C.Installed 29 November.
TheresaInstalled 29 November.
DougInstalled 29 November.
ErinInstalled 29 November, failed same day.
BriannaInstalled 30 November.
ElizabethInstalled 30 November, did not operate.
Marble PointStation did not transmit between early July and early September. Aerovane was replaced 22 January. Batteries were replaced 23 November.
FerrellOK.
Pegasus NorthStation repaired and reinstalled 14 January.
Pegasus SouthWind system operated intermittently August-September.
Minna BluffStation repaired and reinstalled 12 January. Wind system stopped 28 August after wind speeds around 41 m s-1. Wind sensor was repaired 9 December.
LindaStation replaced 10 January and operated until 20 April. One week of transmissions in May. Station resumed transmitting 7 December after batteries were replaced.
Willie FieldRemoved 10 January for repair and replaced 18 January.
WhitlockReplaced 23 February, no pressure gauge. Intermittent wind data especially in colder part of year.
Scott IslandNo transmissions between 19 November and 17 December. Site has a "dog house" AWS without wind speed and direction.
Young IslandNo transmission for November and December. Site has a "dog house" AWS without wind speed and direction.
Possession IslandOK, site has a "dog house" AWS without wind speed and direction.
MarilynOK.
SchwerdtfegerAerovane repaired 13 January, wind system operated intermittently April-July. Station not transmitting August-September and then erratically October-December.
GillAerovane did not operate during parts of March-April, most of June-August. Few transmissions end of August-October, intermittent in November.
ElaineAerovane operated intermittently April-May and did not operate most of June-November.
LettauAerovane operated intermittently August-October.
ManuelaAerovane destroyed end of October.
SandraOK.
LynnNo wind data in January.
Larsen IceTemperature sensor not functioning correctly, aerovane operated intermittently April-July.
Butler IslandStation off until 15 February, and again 18 March-5 April. Wind system intermittent July, October-December.
Uranus GlacierStation off 1 February, received erratically November.
Racer RockIntermittent data transmission, very sparse in May and September. No data June-August.
Bonaparte PointStation stopped 15 April, a few transmissions in October, resumed normal transmissions 2 December. Loose and/or corroded connections are suspected.
Recovery GlacierAGO-A81 removed 16 January, installed at Recovery Glacier site 18 January, intermittent data transmission most of the year. Aerovane did not operate during winter.
Ski-HiStation installed 21 February, transmissions stop end of November.
Santa Claus IslandStation installed 10 December.
Clean AirRepaired and moved on 24 January, pressure jumps erratically, especially during the colder months.
Mount HoweRemoved 22 January.
KellyRemoved 22 January.
NicoOK.
HenryMost data missing end of August to mid-October.
LindsayRemoved 22 January.