4. Meeley Station

ID#: 
	8915
Date: 	
	4 Dec. 80  Julian day 339.
Time: 	
	Departed McMurdo 0100 Z.  Arrived site 0140 Z.
	Departed site 0400 Z.  Arrived McMurdo 0440 Z.

Background:  
	This is a new station located 108 km ESE of McMurdo.  In place of the RTG, gel-cell batteries connected in parallel are used to provide the necessary 12 volts DC.  The cells should last for one year, and are rechargable.  It is planned to install solar panels next season to provide a charging current for the batteries.

Equipment:  
	Since the batteries weigh about 250 pounds, only 3 men could go.  See section VI for 3-man battery station equipment and weights.

Weather:  
	Skies were overcast and winds were between 20 and 25 knots from the Southwest.

Trip:  
	Helo piloted by Meeley departed McMurdo with Evans, Savage, and Navy enlisted man aboard.  Station installation difficult due to cold, high wind, hard snow surface (difficult to dig) and time pressure.  Calculator used in surveying froze up so had to estimate compass positions based on predicted bearing in Mt. Erebus.  Consequently wind direction may be inaccurate by as much as 20 degrees.  However, accurate site survey achieved by noting all parameters and adding in necessary correction factor later.

	Station installation proceeded ok.  Used VOM to verify aerovane wiring and used hand held receiver to check that station was transmitting.  Batteries were buried a few feet from tower with charging harness for solar cells installed and tied to tower for accessibility next year.

Observations:	
	None taken due to insufficient time.

AWS Output:  
	time		temperature	pressure	wind
	0520 Z		-12.3 C		977.3 mb	208 deg at 18.0 kt
	0510 Z		-12.3 C		977.3 mb	
	0500 Z		-12.3 C		977.4 mb
	0450 Z		-12.3 C		977.5 mb
	0440 Z 		-12.3 C		977.7 mb

	mean wind speed:  19.0 knots
	mean wind direction:  225 degrees true
	signal strength:  -116 dbm

Recommendations:
	1.  The site should be resurveyed next visit to accurately determine the compass points, and the aerovane should be realigned if necessary.
	2.  Temperature, pressure, and wind observations should be taken in order to establish accurate calibrations.
	3.  Since this station is distant from any landmarks, it will be difficult to find.  Navigation is difficult around McMurdo due to high-latitude effects on the compass, and pilots usually have to rely on dead-reckoning.  A radio-direction finder would be very helpful in locating all the ice-shelf stations in the future.

How to Find:
	The station is located 58.5 nautical miles from McMurdo on a bearing of 134 degrees true.  McMurdo air-traffic control ("Mac Center") has a radar and they can vector the helicopter along this bearing if prior arrangements are made.  Using the radar and estimating distance travelled by knowledge of air speed and elapsed time, the pilot should be able to get within a few miles of the station.  Then its a matter of hunting around to find it.  It is helpful to land and scan the horizon.  The tower of the AWS should be visible against the sky if within a few miles.