Links:
Aerostat radar specs.
22apr14: aerostat returns to
operation
15dec11: aerostat off the air.
23feb09:
1385
Mhz birdie in alfa from aerostat.
may05:
Modeling
the periods created by the aerostat radar.
08may05:
aerostat
compresses alfa when oh filterbank amps installed.
06oct04:Looking
at
the detected radar total power vs time
| transmitter | L88-A (upgrade around 2002??) |
| rf frequencies | (1261.25,1246.2) (1256.5,1241.74) Mhz |
| Pulse len | 160 usecs per frequency, 320 usec for a frequency pair (sequential in time) |
| 7 ipp pulse sequence used | [3771.,3504.,3076,2809.,2903.5,3289.,3676.] Useconds |
| bandwidth | 1.667 Mhz chirped |
| Dual Freq modes | 1261 for 160 usecs followed by 1246. for 160 usec or 1256 for 160 usecs followed by 1241 for 160 usecs. |
| Rotation period | Nominally 12 seconds. Measured back in 1999 to be 11.6 seconds (this may vary) |
| Blanking | The radar is blanked for 42 degrees of azimuth (1.43 secs)
centered on
the arecibo
direction. The blanking level is set so that the main lobe level after blanking is equal to the sidelobe level. The radar is also blanked for 14.5 degrees (.48 secs) when it points at the san juan airport (or maybe the radar). This occurs 73.5 degrees (2.45 secs) after the start of the AO blanking. |
| Sidelobes | There are sidelobes (spillover ) at -108 and +115 degrees from the observatory direction |
| Location of tetherpoint | 17:58:45 N (AO: 18:20:39.44) 67:04:55 W (AO: 66:45:10.00) The tether point location looks like it is not very accurate (no fractions). |
| distance to ao | Probably less than 30 miles. |
| Misc | The punta salinas radar also transmits at these freqeuncies (although it is not as strong) |
| Also see: | 1997
report
on
radar frequencies. tethered aerostat radar systems (FAA) tethered aerostat radar systems (AF) |