New SODAR from Metek for 3D wind and turbulence measurements  . . . even smaller and more portable

If you need an instrument to measure wind and turbulence at multiple points and at different height ranges a SODAR could be the best solution.

What it does?
A SODAR (SOnic Detection And Ranging) is an instrument which measures the wind and turbulence to produce detailed 3D profiles.  It does this by emitting an acoustic pulse into the atmosphere overhead and evaluating the scattering effect (Doppler shift) on the pulse caused by the wind flow and turbulence structures. Temperature can also be profiled with the addition of an optional RASS system.

SODARs can measure at height ranges anywhere between 15 m and 2 km vertically, although the maximum height will actually depend very much on the model selected and the atmospheric conditions (mostly stability and humidity - sound waves scatter better in moist air than in dry air).

What's new?
Now Metek have developed a new small model, SODAR-16, which is portable enough to be moved between sites by one person without the need for a larger vehicle or a trailer.

The SODAR-16 profiles the wind and turbulence typically from 20 m to 200 m, although can reach up to 500 m in ideal weather conditions, and has all the operational functions and the same quality of finish as the larger Metek models.

The SODAR-16 base measures 70 x 70 x 30 cm and comes with carrying handles and the acoustic enclosure (1 m x 1 m x 50 cm) which wraps around the SODAR base can be transported in pieces with assembly easily done on site.

With such flexibility it solves the logistical problem of moving your measurement campaign between multiple sites and is particularly suitable for:

- surface layer meteorology
- optical propagation studies
- military applications
     (ballistic meteorology, sound propagation, etc…)
- wind energy investigations
- agrometeorology such as seed transport, pest control
- weather station network supplement at reference sites
    (or where local effects modify the weather)
- studies of flow around objects such as buildings / mountains.

What are the benefits?

• Eliminates the need for an expensive met mast using multiple anemometers to measure at different heights (which typically costs more than this new SODAR-16).
• Produces very detailed 3D profiles (down to 5 m vertical resolution).
• Is not a permanent installation and does not require planning permission.
• Can be moved between sites easily in a standard size car.
• Can be set up and operated easily by one person.
• Using a system of high quality latches it can be assembled without tools so you don't have to worry about losing parts or even taking your gloves off in cold weather!

The Metek SODARs use tried and tested technology with full before, during and aftersales backup from Biral as the distributor and Metek as the manufacturer (we expect the best from the instruments we sell and so should you).

For more information on the Metek SODARs including the SODAR-16 please see: www.biral.com/met/sodar.

Change of telephone system at Biral ... now you can contact us directly on new extension numbers

We hope that the recent installation of our new telephone system has not caused you any problems but now at last you can contact us directly on individual extension numbers.

The numbers which will be useful to you when telephoning Biral:

01275 847787 (from the UK)   
+44 1275 847787 (from overseas)
(these numbers have not changed)

when connected dial in the relevant extension number
(you can dial these extension numbers as soon as you are connected and don't have to listen to the company greeting):

to request a price list or quotation DIAL 35 for Andrew
to discuss a product/application DIAL 36 for Richard
                                                                                (McKay)  

Voicemail
If the lines are busy or you are telephoning outside of our normal office hours (8.00 am - 5.30 pm GMT Monday to Friday) please leave a voicemail message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

NB During office hours you will always be given the option to speak to a colleague instead of leaving a voicemail.

Email
For both national and international customers email remains the most popular way of contacting us and we are always pleased to hear from you. You can send an email to met@biral.com which will be answered by Richard or Andrew (Sales), or where appropriate our manufacturing, servicing or technical department.

Met Events and Visits Event and visit programme for the next few months

Events :

• August 11 - 15 :  Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
  13th Conference on Mountain Meteorology

      
  Exhibition Link:  www.ametsoc.org/meet/meetinfo.html

  ___________________________

• September 9 - 13 :  Husum Germany  
  Husum Wind Energy 2008
  
  See our products on the GWU and Metek stands 
    
  Exhibition Link:  www.husumwind.com
  
  ___________________________
     
• September 29 - 3 October :  Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  EMS (European Meteorological Society) and ECAC (European Conference on Applied Climatology)
  
  Biral will be exhibiting (shared stand with Metek).
  
  Exhibition Link: http://meetings.copernicus.org/ems2008/

___________________________

• October 19 - 22 :  Vancouver, Canada
  CanWEA 2008 (Canadian Wind Energy Association)
  
  
  Exhibition Link: www.canwea.ca/events/en/ConferenceAndEvents.html

___________________________

• October 21 - 23 :  London, UK
  BWEA30 (British Wind Energy Association)
  
  
  Exhibition Link: www.bwea.com/30/index.html

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For a full list of met events please visit www.biral.com/eventsmet.htm

Customer visits :

Richard McKay, our meteorological applications expert, will be visiting UK customers in August and North American customers in September.

If you would like him to drop by to discuss your requirements please contact him at rmckay@biral.com.

In the next issue  Measurements in Cold Weather

An overview of heating options and recommendations for measurements  in winter campaigns and colder climates (applies particularly to wind and precipitation sensors).

This enews will be sent to customers registered with an interest in wind and precipitation measurements. However, you can access all topics in our enews archive at:

www.biral.com/enews/archive.htm