The mobile SOUSY Doppler radar: Technical design and first results

Abstract

On the basis of the experience obtained with the stationary SOUSY radar in the Harz mountains, a mobile VHF Doppler system was developed during the last two years. The electronic part is installed in a 20‐foot container and was tested for the first time during a joint experiment at the Arecibo Observatory (Puerto Rico) using a special log‐periodic aerial to illuminate the 300‐m dish. In 1982 this system was extended by designing a mobile phased antenna array with 576 Yagi elements. The grouping of the single Yagis, the feeding network, the phase shifters, the power splitters, and the transmit receive switch are described. A summary of results obtained during the first two campaigns is presented as well as a survey of future programs demonstrating the flexibility of this mobile system.