U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE November 21, 1986 W/OSO14
T0: All Holders of Operations Manual
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 86-11
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter B-68, Visitation Procedures - Radar Stations.
2. Summary:
The testing requirement of observers during station visits was removed since certification exams are given as required by the MIC/OIC.
The Station Evaluation Report exhibit has been updated.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
Supersedes the entire WSOM Chapter B-68, Issuance 69-36, dated July 31, 1969.
Richard E. Hallgren
Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services
VISITATION PROCEDURES - RADAR STATIONS
Table of Contents:
* 1. Responsibility
2. Frequency and Duration of Visits
* 3. Advance Preparation
* 4.1 Radar Proficiency Standards
4.2 Instructions for Completing WS Form B-61
* 4.3 Disposition of WS Form B-61
6. Visits to Cooperative Radar Sites Exhibits:
* B-68-1 Radar Station Evaluation Report
* * * **
* 1. Responsibility. Visits to radar sites will be made by the regional radar focal points or any other individual designated by the Regional Director to assure quality and reliability of radar observations. The person making such visits must be familiar with the radar program, knowledgeable in weather radar theory, experienced in radar observations, and familiar with the type of radar used at the station visited.
2. Frequency and Duration of Visits. Quality control visits to radar sites should be made at least once each year, and more often if necessary. Priority will be given to those stations with network responsibility and those stations with program deficiencies or recent major changes in program, equipment, or personnel. Visits will ordinarily last 1 or 2 days.
Review the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) memoranda to the station.
Monitor radar reports from the station, including narratives, and be prepared to offer specific suggestions for improvement. Compare these with the radar film and overlays.
Review radar film for quality.
Review WS Form B-61 rendered on previous visits.
Review WSOM Chapters B-60 and B-61.
Inform the area manager and the official in charge/ meteorologist in charge (OIC/MIC) of the planned quality control visit.
* 4. Visitation Procedures. Comply with WSOM Chapter B60. WS Form B-61, Radar Station Evaluation Report (Exhibit B-681), will be used as a check sheet during station visits. If all items on the form are completed, it will satisfy requirements of WSOM Chapter B-60 and will provide a record of programs, personnel, and equipment changes. Furthermore, review of the forms should disclose both weak points in the station program and particularly successful efforts that could be adopted at other stations. If possible, each radar observer should be interviewed during his/her scheduled shift. In addition to items required by WS Form B-61, local studies and educational efforts should be discussed and ideas for program improvement should be solicited. In addition to the station critique required by WSOM Chapter B-60, discuss any problems with the station radar supervisor and the OIC/MIC formulating plans for any necessary follow-up action. Complete WS Form B-33, Station Inspection Report, as is done in surface and upper air inspections. Review WS Forms A-1 and A-3 for completeness.
* 4.1 Radar Proficiency Standards. Recently completed MF-7-60 Observation Forms, Radar Summaries, Radar overlays, Radar Shift Checklists, and any other pertinent information/documentation will be reviewed by the regional visitor to determine individual and office compliance with radar proficiency standards as outlined in WSOM Chapter B-61.
4.2 Instructions for Completing WS Form B-61. Make notations for each item, using "NA" (not applicable) where necessary. All narrative entries should be written in complete sentences and intelligible to other readers. The form is designed to serve as a historical record of the radar program, as well as a quality control checklist, and should be able to stand alone as an information document. Itemized instructions follow.
Item I. INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
The working space, furniture, and equipment should be orderly and clean, and arranged in a functionally efficient manner. Check for grease pencil marks and unauthorized items, such as masking tape, on the equipment. Equipment drawers and access doors should be closed and secured and tools and spare parts should not be scattered about the console room. A flashlight or other emergency lighting device should be available in the console room. The quality control visitor should operate the controls of the console, repeater scope, camera timer, and remoting equipment to determine that all are functioning properly. The emergency power equipment should be operated under full load. Check the antenna orientation and leveling. Check the antenna speed (3 RPM). Inspect the tower and radome (both exterior and interior). The operating condition of the equipment should be discussed with both the radar operators and electronics technicians.
Item II. OPERATOR SKILLS
Operator skills will be reflected in the station records, and these records should be reviewed. Make sure that the station records are complete, meeting all the requirements of Weather Service Headquarters, the Regional Headquarters, and the local office. Inspect MF 7-60 for legibility and form, with emphasis on operation notes concerning equipment outages, film exposure frequency, and operational procedures. Review recent radarscope film and NCDC film reviews and note especially any persisting errors and discrepancies. Review the use of various severe thunderstorm identification techniques. Determine that there is an effective on-station quality control program, continually active.
Outline the station training program and offer suggestions to improve its effectiveness.
Item III. COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
At many locations, it is important that radar observers be able to reach the maximum number of users, both professional and general public, with a minimum of effort. The time they spend communicating is not available for operating and viewing the radar. Communications needs and facilities should be frequently reviewed. A continued effort toward improved communications is very important. Be alert for inefficient arrangement of equipment and inefficient utilization of time.
Item IV. RADAR SERVICE PROGRAM REVIEW
Outline the use of the radar and radar data as they pertain to the various station programs listed. Check for compliance with instructions in the Weather Radar Manual. Be alert to shortcomings needing correction and effective methods that could be used at other radar stations.
Item V. PROGRAM CHANGES
Determine changes by comparing the present program evaluation with the previous one and by discussion with the OIC/MIC. Make sure program changes are property documented.
Item VI. TRAINING AND DISCUSSIONS CONDUCTED
The visitor should be prepared to lead discussions about advancements in weather radar work, new programs, and recent literature in the field. Group lectures and individual training should be conducted as necessary.
Item VII. ACTION ITEMS
Note any action necessary to alleviate deficiencies in programs and skills, and any actions contemplated in response to station requests. Establish a target date for the completion of each action and the responsible person or office.
* 4.3 Disposition of WS Form B-61. The original of the report should be forwarded to the Chief of the Data Acquisition (DATAC) Division of the appropriate regional headquarters. One copy should be sent to the visited station, associated area manager, and one copy to:
National Weather Service Headquarters
Observing Systems Branch, W/OS014
8060 13th Street, Room 731
Silver Spring, MD 20910
5. Post Visit Activity. Accomplish all follow-up action items as promptly as possible. Follow-up actions by the station should be reported in a memorandum to the Regional Director, Attention: Chief, DATAC, as they are accomplished. In case the action is not completed 30 days after the visit, the station should submit a progress report. Actions necessary by regional headquarters should be outlined in the trip report.
6. Visits to Cooperative Radar Sites. While the foregoing instructions are not applicable in those cases where radar weather observations are made by other agencies in a cooperative effort with the National Weather Service, such observation sites should be visited as often as needed to maintain satisfactory observations. The primary purpose of the visits would be to train the observers, who often have short tenure, and to maintain the interest of the cooperative personnel. The training and other activities conducted during such visits should be tailored to the needs of the particular program. Reports of the visits should be made according to regional instructions, with a copy forwarded to National Weather Service Headquarters (address in paragraph 4.3).
WSOM Issuance
86-11 11-21-86