Example of data collected with IIHR’s Vertically Pointing Radar. The bright bands at a height of about 2.5 km are clearly visible.

IIHR's vertically pointing, X-band, Doppler radar is currently housed in the Iowa Mobile Rainfall Observatory. The history of the radar is as follows:

• Purchased with NSF support from McGill University in early 1990's.
• Operated by The University of Iowa on main campus.
• Upgraded for Doppler using NSF equipment grant middle 1990's.
• Installed in Iowa Mobile Rainfall Observatory in late 1990's.

The radar has been used in various field experiments that IIHR personnel and students participated in. Some examples include TEFLUN-B, DEVEX, and X-POW. Otherwise the radar is operated near continuously at the Iowa City airport. For more information contact Dr. Anton Kruger or Professor Witold F. Krajewski.

Specifications

The nominal radar specification are given below. Some values can be changed (e.g., PRF) and some are depended on others (e.g., 3 dB beamwidth, dish diameter and wavelength are related).