1. I firstinstalledthe firstnetworkedmini-SODARsystemin1999 at VandenbergAFBinsupportof Western
Range launchmission. One of the launchconstraintswe alwayslookedforwaswindshearasit can have
disastrousresultstoexpensive vehiclesespeciallyatlowerlevels. The mini-SODARsolvedthese
problemsandmanymore as we progressedtowardtesting.
In additiontothe WR I alsoinstalledanetworkatthe Eastern Range at five differentlocations. Itwasa
similarinstallation. The unitswere easytointerface andprovidedaneasyinterface usingFTP. Scripting
the unitsenabledustoeasilyinterface withthe central server.
Three yearslater,I foundmyself incharge of maintainingthese networksinadditiontothe entire
weathersuite of weatherdataproducersatVandenbergAFB. The technicianswhoworkedforme
swore bythe reliabilityof the units. The mostdifficultproblemswere networkissueswhich were
generallyeasilysolved. We hada smatteringof hard drive failuresandthese were easilyresolved.
Eightyears later,Ihad a chance to evaluate the latestversionandimmediatelyfell inlovewithit. Itwas
immenselyeasytoworkon. Mechanically,theyhadremovedthe external audioamplifierwhichwasa
problemwithearlierunits. The OShadbeenchangedto Linux whichfacilitatedconfigurationand
networkingof all units. Security-wise,theyhadinstalledthe secure versionof FTPwhichimprovedthe
securityposture of the unitimmensely. Reliabilityof the unitandaccuracy wasmuch improved. Itstill
provides15 metersresolutionuptoa heightof 300 meters. Havingworkedcloselywiththe Launch
WeatherOfficers,Iamwell aware of the importance of windshearmeasurementsfornearlyall launch
vehicles.