7/04

Hello, NADP researchers. It’s summer storm season and we’ve had some big ones in the Midwest. Hold onto your hats and watch out for lightning damage to the collector! Field Form Issues: FAXs from the CAL to sites have increased for Block 7 problems on the FORF. You need to record a precipitation amount and type for every day of the sampling period, (from the time the bucket was put on to the time it was taken off). See Figure 1. The 4 options for AMOUNT are: 1) no precipitation - circle Z for zero, 2) don’t know - circle MM for missing, 3) trace precipitation - circle T for trace (precipitation was observed but was < 0.01"), and 4) precipitation > 0.01" occurred - record amount to the nearest 0.01". When there is any precipitation (even a trace) you need to indicate the precipitation type. There are 4 options for TYPE: 1) R = all rain (includes hail), 2) S = all snow, 3) M = mixture of rain & snow, sleet or freezing rain, or a combination, or 4) U = unknown. Refer to the NTN Site Operation Manual section "3.3.7 Precipitation Record, Block 7" for details. MSDS information for field chemistry solutions is now available on our web page. Look under "Site Support" or log into http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/site_support.htm. http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu     Back to reminders

8/04 Greetings everyone. Summer is winding down quickly and its time to highlight a few fall maintenance items. Please add them to your schedule. DC Power Supplies - Each winter we have several sites either a) running back-up DC batteries on AC primary systems, or b) using DC solar-power and experiencing operational problems (and hence lost samples) due to battery failure. Do you have the ability to load test your battery(ies)? Do you understand what the load test tells us and how it’s different from a voltage check? Call 800-952-7353 if you have questions or need help with this test or related problems. Parts Return - Winter is coming, and it is tough on field equipment. We are working to ensure there are spare parts available when you need them. Inventories are limited, so we need your help. Please check to ensure that all parts in need of repair are returned promptly to us, so that we can repair them and put them back into circulation. Look in your closets, shipping areas, and offices; return all collector or raingage parts that belong to the program as soon as possible. Educational Outreach: We have developed an educational activity for students or classes based on our network. Students can measure the pH of precipitation and then log their results into a special website to compare them with those of NADP scientists. A limited number of individually wrapped pH strips are available from the CAL for this activity. If you want to learn more, log onto: http://nadp/earthday/. There you will find instructions, downloadable hydrologic charts, and educational links. You can even order a raingage. For more information or to request the pH strips, e-mail kharlin@uiuc.edu.   http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu   Back to reminders 9/04 Fall Greetings! It’s not too early to start thinking about seasonal checks for your NTN site. WINTERIZING– Every year some sample data are invalidated because snow or mixed precipitation is received before the Belfort raingage is winterized. The memo requesting removal of the funnel and the addition of antifreeze to your Belfort gage is enclosed. If the temperature is dropping, DO NOT WAIT, winterize NOW! Follow the instructions on the memo, or refer to Section 5.2.2.1 of the Site Operations Manual. AMBIENT SENSOR HEATER CHECKS– Snow and ice can cause problems with the operation of the NADP precipitation collector. The sensor must melt snow or frozen precipitation to form water droplets on the sensor plate which opens the collector and exposes the wet bucket. Perform this test to ensure that your collector will open even for light, dry snow: sprinkle a few flakes of snow from your glove tips directly onto the sensor plate after the collector has been closed for several minutes. It should melt in seconds and cause the motor unit to start running. If the snow just sets there, the ambient sensor heater is out and the sensor will have to be replaced. If you need a new part call the CAL at 1-800-952-7353.   http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu   Back to reminders