Preparing radiosonde with Ground Check Device MWH322 - RS41-D

RS41-D User Guide
Product status
Document code
M211952EN
Revision
E
ft:locale
en-US
Product
RS41-D
Document type
User guide
CAUTION

Do not touch the radiosonde sensors. They are fragile and can be easily contaminated.

WARNING! During humidity sensor reconditioning, the temperature of the sensor boom is about 150 °C for 3 minutes.

The following figure shows the phases of radiosonde preparation.

  1. Open the radiosonde package and follow the instructions printed on the foil bag to prepare the radiosonde.
  2. Place the radiosonde on the ground check device. Check the markings on the cardboard box and the device for the correct placement of the radiosonde.

    When the radiosonde is prepared with Ground Check Device MWH322, Vaisala recommends that the radiosonde is prepared in its cardboard package to provide extra protection for the radiosonde sensor. Remove the foil bag before the preparations.

  3. Pull the strap over the radiosonde. The radiosonde is switched on automatically.

    The sounding software automatically detects the radiosonde and begins the sounding preparations.

    To interrupt the sounding preparations at this point, open the strap and remove the radiosonde.

  4. During the radiosonde preflight preparation phase, several steps are carried out. These steps consist of ground check procedures for sensors, as well as optional features for setting the radiosonde inflight operation parameters, such as a timer for turning the radiosonde power off after a desired time or altitude.
  5. After the ground check is finished, the sounding software indicates the results with a message. Remove the radiosonde from the ground check device.
  6. If you have prepared the radiosonde in its cardboard box, remove the radiosonde from the box when the ground check is finished.
    1. Open the cardboard box and unfold the side flaps.
    2. Carefully unpack the radiosonde so that you lift it the sensor boom side first from the cardboard box. Do not touch the sensor boom.
  7. Straighten the radiosonde antenna.
    The RS41-D antenna is bent for packing purposes. Straighten the antenna before the release.
    • Before you launch the radiosonde, you can return to the preparation phase at any time before the radiosonde is launched. Restart the preparation by placing the radiosonde on the ground check device again. The sounding system automatically returns to the preparation phase and you can edit the frequency and termination settings.
    • If there is any delay in starting the sounding, for example, if you must wait before launching the balloon, you can switch the radiosonde off by pressing the power switch. When you are ready to launch the balloon, switch the radiosonde back on.