Implementation of the RNDSUP S-band Doppler radar systems for use in the Australian weather radar network

In 2003 the Australian Bureau of Meteorology received government funding to acquire Doppler radar systems for designated areas of Australia assessed as being most at risk to severe thunderstorms. The Bureau has since purchased four Meteor 1500S klystron based Doppler radars from Selex SI GmbH (Gematronik Weather Radar Systems) of Germany. The reasons behind the chosen specifications are described, together with an outline of the tower and building infrastructure design. Features of the 1500S system are also described including aspects relating to the integration of Gematronik radar sub-systems with the Bureau of Meteorology's in-house RAPIC system for data encoding, distribution and display.