[WINDHOEK-NAMIBIAN-OPERATIONAL TRAINING ON THE RADIO THEODOLITE AND
MAINTENANCE TRAINING ON THE HYDROGEN GENERATOR]{.underline}

**[26^TH^ MARCH -- 01^ST^ APRIL 2004]{.underline}**

# INTRODUCTION

The Intermet Upper Air System and Proton Hydrogen Generator for the
Namibian Meteorological Services in Windhoek were simultaneously
installed June 2005. Training of participants for both equipment was
also done in the very same week after the installations. However
participants felt that scheduling installation and training of the two
systems at the same was not suitable as the same officers had to
participate in the two activities, hence this did not give them enough
time to attend both training activities as they were running
concurrently. It was on these bases that a second training had to be
provided for participants and to eliminate other operational and
malfunction of the two systems, which are indicted to be continuously
recurring.

[PROBLEMS REAISED]{.underline}

-   Weak signal realized in the first few minutes of ascent.

-   TEMP format not matching WMO standard code format

-   Code E-13 error in the hydrogen generator.

Intermet Equipment

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.8729166666666666in"
height="1.4048611111111111in"}
![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.8729166666666666in"
height="1.4048611111111111in"}
![](media/image3.jpeg){width="1.8729166666666666in"
height="1.4048611111111111in"}

*Workstation Decoder & Data Converter Intermet Dish*

*Figure 1*

Proton Hydrogen Generator

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.0in" height="1.5in"}
![](media/image5.jpeg){width="2.0in" height="1.5in"}

*Hydrogen Generator Opened Water Deionizer*

*Figure 2*

[CONFIRMATION]{.underline}

*Intermet Equipment*

Two successful ascents were launched with both Intermet sonde and
Sippican Mark II sonde. The third launched with the Sippican sonde
confirmed the problem. The signal was lost some few minutes after
launching. Troubleshooting was done and detected that the receiver in
the antenna was faulty. It was found that moisture had gathered inside
the housing of the receiver and that the gasket had blocked the
breathers. A new receiver was flown in from Cape Town South Africa and
was immediately installed. The system resumed normal operation. With the
TEMP format it was a matter of making changes in the software.

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="2.872916666666667in"
height="2.154861111111111in"}
![](media/image7.jpeg){width="2.872916666666667in"
height="2.154861111111111in"}

*Faulty Receiver Board Mike holding the faulty receiver*

*Figure 3*

*Proton Hydrogen Generator*

The E-13 error code indicated a leakage in the system. Gas leakage
tester was used and no leakage was found except on the balloon-filling
valve. On observation, it was found that the system error comes when the
plant is in the idle mode. When the system is restarted the error
disappears and resurfaces when all the tanks are filled and is back to
idle mode.

TRAINING

As the training, was mainly for operators on the Intermet Upper Air
System it covered the operation of the system, the antenna and IMETOS
software, proper preparation of the Sippican Mark II radiosonde and
manual insertion of headers on the TEMPS. On the Proton Hydrogen
Generator it was resolved that the operators needed no training but
technicians. The technicians who could attend were on field trip and
when they came, seemed reluctant to participate until the very last day
when one technician surfaced after persuasion. The training started on
the 27^th^ March 2006 to 31^st^ March 2006.

[PARTICIPANTS]{.underline}

Participants were mostly operators from Upper Air staff of Namibia Met
office and myself (under the GCOS project for SADC countries). Although
the Namibian Met Office authorities had requested the training,
attendance was very poor especially on the maintenance of the hydrogen
generator.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="1.8729166666666666in"
height="1.4048611111111111in"}
![](media/image9.jpeg){width="1.8729166666666666in"
height="1.4048611111111111in"}
![](media/image10.jpeg){width="1.9194444444444445in"
height="1.4395833333333334in"}

**Mike showing use of CDU Ben with Mike Releasing balloon Operators
practicing**

***Figure 4***

#### IMETSO Software

This software forms the foundation of the operation of the whole upper
air system. The software generates a number of products including TEMP,
PILOT, T-PHIGRAMS and TRACKING PLOT of the radiosonde. The antenna
controls are also included and hence the antenna can be controlled in
the working station but cannot be started automatically from the working
station. The IMETSO is capable of storing flight records that can be
played back as simulated flights and any other reports of previous
soundings can be retrieved.

***IMS700 Antenna***

The antenna can be controlled in two ways, one of which is with the
receiving computer and the other by a Crew Display Unit (CDU). The CDU
is weather prove handset attached to the arm of the antenna with control
buttons on it. The CDU can also show the strength of the signal, which
is very important. The CDU proved handy in daytime or whenever the
balloon can be seen or the general direction the balloon is known. At
night the use of nightstick attached to the balloon can be useful in
manual tracking of the balloon.

***SIPPICAN MARK II Radiosonde***

The radio sonde plays a vital role leading to a successful ascent. The
Sippican mark II radio sonde comes with a set of instructions on how to
prepare it for the flight. The battery terminal cable if not twisted
creates electro magnetic force (e.m.f) that would hamper the performance
of the transmitter. The operators were strongly encouraged to follow the
instructions on this radio sonde. Some failures of a successful ascent
were as a result of improper sonde preparation. Before launching
communication has to established first between the sonde and the
workstation.

**[PROBLEM REALISED]{.underline}**

-   **Side lobe tracking**

-   **Unsuitable launch site**

-   **Code E-13 error on the generator**

-   **Indicators not reading the same values**

-   **Leakage on the balloon filling hose.**

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="1.8729166666666666in"
height="1.4048611111111111in"}
![](media/image12.jpeg){width="1.9194444444444445in"
height="1.4395833333333334in"} ![](media/image13.jpeg){width="2.0in"
height="1.5in"}

***Product pressure on Gen Pressure on tank 1 Pressure on tank 2***

The figure below show one of the valves suspected not to be closing
hence a leak on the balloon filling. The valve was tried to disassembled
but appeared to be a fixed valve had to open. No spares available.

![](media/image14.jpeg){width="3.5in" height="2.625in"}

***Figure 1***

**Figure 2 shows a new filter immediately after installation. This
filter filters water from the tap before it gets to the water
deionizer**

![](media/image15.jpeg){width="3.5in" height="2.625in"}

Figure 2

On observation, the Hydrogen Generator plant appeared dusty and power
cables hang lose from the wall. It appears no one has been assigned to
take care of the hydrogen equipment.

## [CONCULSION]{.underline}

At the end of the training operators felt that the problems they had are
likely to come to an end. Michael Talbot promised to go and look further
into WMO TEMP reports and try to compare. He would also to urge the
software people to finish the correction in the TEMP as soon as
possible. While still waiting for the correction in the TEMP software,
the operators would manually enter the TEMP headers. As regards the
maintenance technicians for the hydrogen generator they feel they still
need to be trained at factory level.