1. Before going up to the balloon van check the UTC time and type of launch.
2. Turn on the Digicora machine; the power is on the front switch. Let the machine run through the self-check sequence. If there are any ERRORS, write down all the information and CALL JONATHAN. (The main power is on a power strip to the right of the Digicora.)
3. Verify the date and UTC time; hit accept if they are correct. Hit C1 for sonde menu choices, then choose Omega or G.P.S.
4. Read the ships position (these should be available on the monitor above the Digicora). Enter this information into the machine using the blue key pad. Use the IMET information only. Convert position to degrees and decimals to the 10th and enter, check, and accept..
5. Enter the latitude and longitude, check information, and hit the accept key.
6. STOP!! Do not continue on the Digicora machine; call the Bridge at 125 to alert them that there will be a launch. Give them an approximate time.
7. Check launcher tub position and that cloth cover is on tub.
8. Open access hatch and check for foreign objects.
9. Remove a balloon from its package; minimize the amount of touching of the balloon. Flop the balloon into the tub and mount the gas hose to the balloon. Put the neck of the balloon halfway down filler nozzle.
10. Clip the gas hose to the hatch opening and put the clamp on the turntable directly beneath the tub.
11. Close the valve on the gas gauges and open the tank one half to one full turn, then slowly turn gas gauge lever clockwise until the gas starts to flow. Check the level of the balloon. Omega Sonde should be about 5 or 6 inches from the top leaving room for sonde at the bottom. For G.P.S. sondes fill until the balloon is bulging a bit higher than the top rim of the tub, leaving room for the sonde at the bottom.Turn pressure gauge lever counter-clockwise to stop gas flow. Shut the tank valve off. Release gas from gauges and close lever again.
12. If you run out of gas while filling the balloon see manual for complete instructions.
13. Put sling psychrometer out to acclimatize.
14. Take out the correct sonde: G.P.S. is 15G, the Omega is 15N.
15. Open the bag containing the sonde with scissors, remove sonde, discard the bag and desiccant.
16. Remove the calibration tape which is tucked into the back of the sonde. Tear off the little bit at the end with the extra serial number printout and stick to the sonde.
17. Open sonde and take off the small plastic cover over the sensor arm; move the sensor arm back and be careful not to bend the sensor arm too much -it is fragile.
18. Straighten out the sonde antenna so it sticks straight out the bottom.
19. Remove the battery from the sonde. Take the battery out of its bag after cutting the bag along the seal with scissors. Straighten the wires of the battery and position the battery back in the bag with the wires out. Fill the bag with water and completely cover the battery; let sit for a minimum of 2 minutes and no longer than 3 minutes. After the allotted time, dump the water out of the bag, remove battery, and swing excess water out of the battery (about 10 times). Throw bag away. Snap the battery into the sonde and replace the styrofoam or cardboard cover.
20. Put sonde in Ground Check Chamber.
21. Check that the desiccant beads in the Ground Check Chamber are a good blue color. If the beads are blue insert the sensor arm carefully and snap cover closed. If the beads are grey they need to be replaced. See manual for complete instructions.
22. On the Digacora check for interference in the sonde frequency
range. Hit
23. After setting telem. feed the tape into the machine. Pull it
back out; the Digicora automatically begins the ground check. When
Read References Now shows up press the key for GCRefs and input
Pressure in Mb as read from the barometer (Mb and tenths), Input temp
as read from the GC thermometer (degC and tenths). For RH, enter 0.
When your GC readings are accepted, the display will begin flashing
"Release" and beeping will begin.
24. Enter your surface observations. Check humidity with sling
psychrometer. Check pressure with gauge mounted on table.(Start Met
graph program. This can be started any time after the sonde program is
loaded in the Digicora. Check the date/time in the PC, then start:
click on PROGRAM - MET GRAPH - START on the PC.
25. Remove the sonde from GC. BE SURE TO SNAP THE GC LID
CLOSED.
26. On G.P.S. sondes attach blue ring to the unwinder. Free the
string from the unwinder, and place the sonde carefully on its side,
sensor pointing away for the balloon.
27. Hook the slot of the unwinder over the midpoint of the neck
of the balloon, remove filler hose, fold the neck back, and tighten
securely with two tie wraps.
28. Close and lock the door.
29. Unclamp and hang up hose.
30. Decide if it is O.K. to release.
31. Call the Bridge at 125.
32. Prepare launcher for release: pull locking pin on launcher and
rotate so that the launcher will tilt in a downwind direction.
33. Adjust cover and open a little on one side.
34. Check telemetry again and apparent wind on deck again.
35. Open roof hatch, raise tub, and tilt.
36. Release with air and immediately check telemetry.
37. Secure the launcher.
38. Check or start Met graph-PC; see top of page and continually
monitor telemetry.
39. Get rid of tapes and note the serial # in the log book.
Complete log to this point.
40. When the balloon ascent is over the Digicora Sonde program
will end the sounding. Do not turn off until all is OK with the Met
graph PC.
41. When Met graph shows EDTMW - End. Copy your termination
numbers on the log sheet. Now click on files in this window and the
drop-down window shows 'Quit Sounding'. Quit.
42. At this point the Archive window should come up, go FILES -
ARCHIVE, or just click the shortcut picture. When complete close the
Archive window.
43.
44.
Go to the computer on the bridge for Seas Transmission. Put the
floppy in the drive, type QUIT - EXIT - cd\galaxy - RETURN.
You can wait for confirmation if you want to
but you can hit ESCAPE before confirmation arrives. Remove floppy and
bring it to the lab.