Constant-Level Balloon Data

Constant-level "smart" balloons were used to track air masses during the 
ACE-1 multi-flight lagrangian missions.  These balloons were launched from 
the R/V Discoverer and transmitted position and meteorological data to 
receiving equipment on the C-130.  The first lagrangian was aborted after 
the weather deteriorated rapidly during the first flight and the aircraft 
failed to receive the balloon transmissions.  The next lagrangian mission 
collected data from balloon #10 during the first two flights and no 
transmissions were received during the third flight.  The final lagrangian 
consisted of a pre-launch flight and then three balloon-tracking flights 
(Flights 24, 25, 26).  Data from balloons #00, #06, and #08 were received 
and collected during all three of these flights.

The position and basic meteorological data received from the balloons 
during the two successful lagrangian missions is available in a comma 
delimited text file, and as an Excel spreadsheet format.  A list of the 
fields is included below.  For more information or any questions, 
contact Steven Businger or Mark Geldmeier at the University of Hawaii, 
Meteorology Department.

Mark Geldmeier (12-Dec-1995)
Department of Meteorology, University of Hawaii
markg@soest.hawaii.edu

Balloon data fields
 1. Record Type
 2. Balloon number (#00, #06, #08, #10)
 3. UTC date and time
 4. GPS latitude in degrees and minutes 
 5. north or south latitude (N, S)
 6. GPS latitude in decimal degrees
 7. GPS longitude in degrees and minutes
 8. east or west longitude (E, W)
 9. GPS longitude in decimal degrees
10. GPS altitude (meters)
11. signal to noise ratio in dBHz
12. PDOP
13. number of satellites used for position
14. atmospheric pressure (millibars)
15. tetroon super pressure (millibars)
16. air temperature (C)
17. relative humidity (%)
18. wetness (0=dry, 9=wet)
19. pump run time (seconds)
20. altitude state
21 battery voltage
22 checksum
23 carriage return/linefeed