32nd Conference on Broadcast Meteorology/31st Conference on Radar Meteorology/Fifth Conference on Coastal Atmospheric and Oceanic Prediction and Processes

Monday, 11 August 2003
The Seminole Hurricane Hunter
Peter S. Ray, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
SEMINOLE HURRICANE HUNTER Peter S. Ray

The Seminole Hurricane Hunter is a mobile multi-Doppler radar system, designed to withstand hurricane force winds safely. The antenna and pedestal are transported in a horizontal position and erected for data collection with an hydraulically driven system. This allows the beam to clear the cab and low obstructions. The Mack truck is stabilized by extendable hydraulically driven outriggers. The antenna control system and signal processor a SIGMET system. A crew of three and all the electronics are housed within cab, with an extended sleeper cab. During hurricane season, 2002, the truck was deployed and successfully collected data on tropical storms Hanna and Isidore. It is designed to be a dual polarization radar and to be able to operate at multiple frequencies (within the C-Band). Specifications, sample analysis, and outlook are given in the text.

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