3. Operation
3.1 Preparing the Sounding
You must carry out the pre-launch steps as instructed and always in the same way. The
workorder for a sounding is listed below. See the following sections for details.
1. Unpack and
fill the balloon. Prepare the optional sounding accessories.
2. Unpack the radiosonde and the unwinder. Attach the unwinder to the balloon. See RS41
Unwinder Quick Guide for illustrations.
3. Prepare the radiosonde with the ground check device.
When the radiosonde is prepared outdoors with Ground Check Device MWH322,
Vaisala recommends that the radiosonde is prepared in its cardboard package to
provide extra protection for the radiosonde sensor. Remove the foil bag before the
preparations.
4. Attach the radiosonde to the unwinder.
5. Launch the radiosonde balloon.
6. Monitor the sounding with the sounding system. See the sounding system
documentation for more information.
3.2
Preparing the Radiosonde Balloon
Read the safety instructions in Safety Instructions for Balloon Operators
(page 35) before proceeding. Normally the balloon-lifting gas (hydrogen or helium) is
supplied in gas bottles, but hydrogen can also be produced with a hydrogen generator.
Carefully study the operation and safety instructions for the gas bottle facilities or the
hydrogen generator.
Take extreme caution when handling the inflated balloon.
WARNING!
Chapter 3 – Operation
15
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