A description of the CSU–CHILL National Radar Facility
Date
2000
Authors
Bowie, Robert K., author
Mueller, E. A., author
Chandrasekar, V., author
Rutledge, Steven A., author
Kennedy, Patrick C., author
Bringi, V. N., author
Brunkow, David, author
American Meteorological Society, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The subject of this paper is the Colorado State University-University of Chicago-Illinois State Water Survey (CSU-CHILL) National Radar Facility's S-band polarimetric research radar. Key features of this system include polarization agility (provided by the dual-transmitter, dual-receiver design), a recently updated signal processor, and a low (-34 dB, two way) integrated cross-polar ratio (ICPR2) antenna system. After reviewing the technical description of the radar, the authors present a new differential reflectivity (ZDR) calibration technique and data examples collected in different polarization modes. Although the CSU-CHILL radar is transportable, it can also be operated in a dual-Doppler configuration with the CSU-Pawnee radar, an 11-cm Doppler radar system situated 48 km north of the CSU-CHILL Greeley field site. Used together, these radars provide three-dimensional kinematic and hydrometeor information in precipitating cloud systems.