[Vk5-wx-sonde] Radar reflector orientation

[Mark Jessop]

Hi Bev (and welcome to the group!),

Yes, usually the pointing end is usually facing down!

However, the sonde tracking radar at the airport was decommissioned and
removed a few years ago, so the radar reflectors are only used as makeshift
parachutes. I've been told they will eventually switch to in-balloon
parachutes, but for now they are using up stock of the reflectors.

I take it you found the balloon remnants attached on the pointy end?

Cheers,
Mark VK5QI

On Fri, Feb 14, 2020 at 2:02 PM Bev M Ewen-Smith via Vk5-wx-sonde <
vk5-wx-sonde at vk5fo.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have chased a couple of RS41's that have landed not too far from my
> holiday base in the Barossa Valley.  I was baffled that both of them had
> the 'corner-cube' radar reflector upside down.  It was pointy end
> upwards, whereas to reflect radar pings back to stations on the ground,
> it should have the pointy end downwards.
>
> Is that always the case?  If so, I wonder why.
>
> Regards
> Bev
> COAA (SondeMonitor)
>
>
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