Field Report: Windless Bight AWS

Date: 25/Jan/2010

Time: 9:50 am through 12:00 noon


Team members: Matthew Lazzara, Nicole Schroeder, Marko Dimov


Measurements to the surface (bottom of the following):

Before Tower Raise:

* Solar Panel:        57.0 inches (1.45 meters)
* Junction Box:       0 inches (0 meters) at surface
* Electronics Box:    Subsurface
* Temp probe on boom: 58.0 inches (1.47 meters)
* Antenna:            N/A
* Boom:               N/A
* ADG                 Subsurface

After Tower Raise:

* Solar Panel:       98.0 inches (2.49 meters)
* Electronics box:   63.0 inches (1.60 meters)
* Antenna:          113.5 inches (2.88 meters)
* Boom:             126.5 inches (3.21 meters)
* Junction Box:      44.0 inches (1.12 meters)

Battery Voltages:

* Solar Panel: 20.7 volts
* Battery:  12.87 volts

UNAVCO GPS:   Yes, measured from 9:50 am through 11:30 am

Work Description:

We were unable to find Ferrell AWS due to flat light conditions under a deck of stratus.  Hence we went right to Windless Bight AWS to raise the AWS.  I should have looked at the photos of Windless Bight such as:

http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/images/aws/windless_bight06nov.jpg

As we found the ADG boom heavily damaged at the connection point.  The vibrations in the wind must have been bad enough that I would say the data here is to be treated very suspect.  Not realizing I'd have to bring a new pipe, I am considering going back to put the ADG back on.  The ADG was also under the snow - hence, do we have be concerned that the ADG is no good any more?  Can we just hook up a new ADG?  This is an old Gordon Hamilton ITASE ADG.  In any case, we got close support from Marko Dimov since we didn't go to Ferrell - it might have been the fastest AWS raise in history.  Putting on the 5 foot section - with my drilled out hole - went on like a *dream* - compared to WAIS/K-S AWS.  There was some cabling/tape up issues that I took care of - I was surprised the plastic ties held here well.  I forgot to bring the telonics with me to verify data transmissions.  We are in the satellite "blackout" period - hence, if it doesn't turn back on, what are my options?  Can we put 8908 there if it won't transmit?  We never opened the box at all.  (Oh, and the ADG is hardwired to the electronics enclosure...) We left just as the pilot had to return to McMurdo (so we didn't get stuck there all afternoon).  Absolutely beautiful weather there - near calm, sunny and fantastic views!  Oh, and now that I look at the photos - I really didn't put the electronic box on the proper side of the AWS...its under the temperature probe....  Snow was soft - but I was so glad to not be driving a pisten bully there... and really glad we stayed in an A-Star...a Bell 212 would have been too heavy for the snow conditions.... 

http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/images/aws/windless_bightADGb.jpg
http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/images/aws/windless_bightADG.jpg