Standard Radiosonde Procedure/Checklist
PREPARATION 24 HR - 30 MIN PRIOR
Check GRAW and general equipment checklists (later in this document) to make sure you have
everything in the large and small tubs.
Make sure laptop is near fully-charged or plugged in. Check power settings on laptop (right
click battery iconpower options). Make sure it NEVER goes to sleep, but the screen can be
set to dim after several minutes.
Make sure a small battery is fully charged for AC/DC power converter to charge laptop
GRAW INITIALIZATION PROCESS
Place KESTREL in outdoors location so temperature/RH reading will be accurate.
Plug GRAW sonde USB interface cable into USB port on laptop.
Plug in ICOM receiver to laptop microphone input.
Power up laptop. Double click on GRAW icon on laptop to start.
THIS PROCEDURE SHOULD BE DONE IF THINGS DO NOT LOOK RIGHT.
If “comport not detected” comes up do the following: (UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2012, the OLD
FIX DOES NOT WORK!!).
Check whether there are comports available in the device manager. Should be COM5 and 6
that are detected in the device manager. Start  control panel device manager.
1. Go to options  settings  radiosonde and check box that says “change settings
manually.”
2. Make sure Communication is set to USB-cable and type of radiosonde is set to DFM-06
3. If comports cannot be edited, click ok and restart graw. Then go back to step 1.
4. If comports can be edited, set Radiosonde Comport to COM5 and GPS Radiosonde
Comport to COM6 and GPS Station to not available. Then uncheck change settings
manually. Click ok and restart GRAWMET.
5. Go back to Go to options  settings  radiosonde and make sure that all the settings
are correct. If not, restart computer and procedure from step one. PS: you might be
screwed! Call Erik 505-570-0552 if this is still not working. Don’t panic.
Select “initialize sonde.” Choose “Yes, please” for the option to be guided through the
initialization process by the wizard.
Enter quadrant 1 and then enter the name of location you are launching from. Leave station
ID#, loc, and cloud cover blank.
Select “sounding” and then connect the radiosonde to USB interface cable. Make sure that it
says “sonde initialization OK”
Press “Initialize Sonde” button and then click “Next” when sonde is initialized.
Set the transmission frequency to something that can be programmed in the ICOM receiver
between 401.00-403.00 MHz, and then press “Next.” Make sure band is “FM” and not
something else. Refer to ICOM users manual to fix if band is wrong.
(Always check the frequency you aim for BEFORE initializing the sonde - if noisy, change
frequency.)
Adjust ICOM receiver to the frequency you selected. Adjust volume to “0000” using the up
and down pointing arrows.
Check to see if you hear a beep tone when you pull out the cord from the receiver to make
sure you are receiving data. Press “Next.”
Select “Received Raw Data” view on diagram selection and then “Next.” Enter Pressure,
temperature, RH, and winds from KESTREL and altitude from predetermined source (e.g.,
google earth) or GPS.
Enter latitude, longitude, altitude from GPS. Note that the longitude entered in GRAW needs
to be a negative number (here in the US).
Turn sonde on before you remove from the USB initialization cable. Move sonde to location
clear of obstruction so it will receive GPS satellites and make sure GPS antenna is facing down.
Make sure state bar is green, and MOST importantly that RAW GPS is coming without gaps
(shown by -------) and that the data times are synchronized between sonde and GPS data.
BALLOON PREPARATION
Attach balloon to hose, using tiewrap. Take note of starting helium pressure. Fill the balloon
until the tank pressure has dropped by 300 psi, using helium regulator gage or using specified
weight tied to filling hose.
Tie off balloon 1 1/2" from tip with a string. Remove balloon from hose (pull off hose). Fold
balloon nozzle up and around and tie off with tie wrap. Secure unwinder to balloon, using the
string used to tie off balloon in the first place. Make sure unwinder does not unwind before
launch in high winds. Prepare to attach unwinder to sonde (a plastic stick is screwed in to
tighten sonde in a plastic loop)
Attach sonde to unwinder and prepare for launch. Make sure that unwinder string is able to
freely unwind, not knotted in any way.
LAUNCH PROCESS
Make sure sonde is still sending data (especially GPS) correctly.
Let balloon go. Let the balloon take the sonde out of your hands. GRAW software should
indicate “Launch Detected” a few to 30 seconds after launch.
After about 20 minutes, save file from the “Profile data”) This is to ensure data is saved up to
that point in case the laptop crashes during the launch. At end of launch, go to “Terminate
sounding.” Several raw data files will be written to disc.
Manually save profile data file and exit again.
If the flight fails below 700 hPa, a re-launch is recommended. If necessary, soundings may be
terminated above the 100 hPa level in the interest of time. 100 hPa takes about 60 min.
Save all GRAW files on USB stick and remember to archive after each launch.
Standard Sonde Checklist
Radiosonde Equipment
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8 sondes
8 balloons
8 unwinders
Acer laptop, fully charged with charger/cable
ICOM receiver and manual
receiver stand
GRAW-USB initialization cable
sound cable
GPS
Kestrel 4000 (#K17 and K20)
2 headlamps
4” and 8” zip ties
scissors
twine
needle-nose and cutting pliers
electrical tape
spare AA and AAA batteries
General Equipment
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Helium tank
12 V battery
6-gal water container
balloon launch tarp
Large Tupperware Bin
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Regulator and hoses
large adjustable wrench
12 VDC – 110 VAC inverter
50-ft extension cord with splitter
yellow halogen work light
first aid kit