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OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE (970) 356-4000, EXT. 4200
I FAX: (970) 352-0242
915 10TH STREET
P.O. BOX 758
O GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
COLORADO
May 11, 1998
Pat Kennedy
CSU-CHILL Radar Facility Manager
30750 WCR 45
Greeley CO 80631-9603
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
This letter is in response to your correspondence dated April 29, 1998. You requested
approval of a proposed lightning sensor installation at our road maintenance facility
southeast of Highways 14 and 392. We have approved your request.
We understand from a conversation you had with Vicky Sprague recently that a second
site may be chosen over this one. If that turns out to be the case, please advise us
accordingly.
Good luck in your endeavor.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Constance L. Harbert, Chair
CLH:vds
cc: Don Warden
Dave Becker
Clerk to the Board
980984
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29 April 1998 University
To: Board of Weld County Commissioners (CC: Bet* Becker) Department of
Atmospheric Science
Subject: Proposed lightning sensoraz�a talaon Fort Collins,Colorado 80523-1371
(970)491-8360
FAX:(970)491-8449
The CSU Atmospheric Science Department will be collecting a variety
of thunderstorm observations during the summer of 1998. Much of the data
will come from two weather radars, one near Greeley airport, and one near
Nunn. Along with the radar observations, it is also important for us to collect
lightning data. Due to the geometry of the radar sites, an optimal location for
the lightning measurements is Briggsdale.
Through conversations with Don Carroll and Dave Becker in the Weld
County Public Works Department, we have learned of a road maintenance
facility located just southeast of the intersection of highways 14 and 392. We
have visited this site; it should be quite suitable for the lightning sensing
equipment.
The installation consists primarily of two components: (1) A self
contained antenna. The antenna itself is a cylinder approximately 8 inches
in diameter and 15 inches long. It is supported some 4.5 feet off the ground
on a stand made of metal tubing. It does not require any guy wires, etc.; one
person can simply place it in position on an unprepared ground surface. (2)A
personal computer which is connected to the antenna by a cable. The
computer processes and records the electric field measurements sensed by the
antenna. This computer is equipped with a modem and phone line so that
the data can be periodically downloaded to CSU. It should be noted that this
instrument merely senses the natural electric field fluctuations that are
associated with lightning activity. Nothing is transmitted, so there are no
problems related to the existence of high voltages, radio interference
generation, etc.
We would propose to locate the antenna in the fenced-in field located
between the storage building and highway 14. (This is the area that appears
to have been a mobile home site in the past.) The PC can be located wherever
it's convenient inside the building. The cable between the antenna and the
PC can be buried, etc. to keep it out of the way. CSU will pay all of the costs
associated with the installation and operation of an additional phone line for
data transmission. Unless problems develop, the equipment should operate
without any direct human attention. We would like to install the equipment
by mid-May if possible. Everything will be removed at the end of the
thunderstorm season (i.e., mid-September 1998).
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this idea. Please contact
meany questions arise.
Pat Kenned
CSU-CHILL Radar Facility Manager
30750 WCR 45
Greeley, CO 80631-9603
(970) 356-1364 (pat@lab.chill.colostate.edu)
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