Using vertically pointing broad beam to measure atmospheric aspect sensitivity of VHF radar echoes

Abstract

Conventionally, atmospheric aspect sensitivlty of VHF radar echoes is measured using a narrow beam radar in order to avoid the complications due to broad beam effects. However, in this study, a new technique using beam broadening effects has been developed. It used the relatively broad antenna beam (half power beam width is 7.4 deg) of the vertically pointing antenna of the new Chung-Li VHF radar. The aspect sensitivity measurement using this method is straightforward and free from the convolution effects introduced by the finite width of the antenna beam pattem. The observed value at heights from 2 to 8 km is about 0.5 dB/deg to 1 dB/deg which agrees very well with other measurements.