MIDC News
Year of 2001

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December 27, 2001

• 07:51 MST: The SRRL EKO SkyScanner was removed from service yesterday for repair. -Pete Gotseff

December 26, 2001

• 07:33 MST: The SRRL EKO Sky Scanner stopped functioning on Dec 23 @ 7:00 MST. The problem will be investigated later today. -Afshin Andreas

December 20, 2001

• 15:18 MST: The following stations have changed names (old = new):
  
  
  
  • bms = srrl_bms
    
  • bsrn = srrl_bsrn
    
  • aocs = srrl_aocs
    
  • ati = srrl_ati
    
  • rsp = srrl_rsp
    
  • nwtc = nwtc_m2
    
  • sci = scid
    
  • ec = ecsu
    
  • bs = bsc
    
  -Afshin Andreas
• 15:16 MST: The MIDC now has the new url of http://midc.nrel.gov -Afshin Andreas
• 14:37 MST: The BMS Instrument Deck and Towers PDF File, has been updated to include instruments that were added to BMS 8. -Afshin Andreas
• 11:25 MST: The Web Server has a new name: "Measurment and Instrumentation Data Center" or MIDC (pronounced mid-sea). We will be getting a new URL soon. Note: An "official" Solar Radiation Research Laboratory Home Page will be available soon. -Afshin Andreas

December 18, 2001

• 10:27 MST: The SRRL Web Server is undergoing many changes. If some links don't work, reload the page you are viewing to obtain the new links. The SRRL Web Server will get a new name and several stations will also change names. -Afshin Andreas

December 12, 2001

• 11:15 MST: The Daily/Live Data/Plots has been updated to allow a user-defined calculation with an entered value. -Afshin Andreas

December 6, 2001

• 12:16 MST: The Li-2020 tracker (contains the CM21) has been reset as of 12:15pm. Previously the tracker was tracking improperly. -Pete Gotseff

December 5, 2001

• 14:03 MST: The BMS Global Normal CM-21 was removed from service today @ 10:14 MST, for tracker mount repair. -Pete Gotseff
• 13:34 MST: The Cal factor for the NWTC Global PSP was updated in the logger program on 11-26-01 @ 15:17 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 09:37 MST: The user can now jump to previos day/month/year when viewing a LIVE Comparison plot. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:57 MST: The user can now jump to a previous day/month/year, when viewing a LIVE plot/windrose (or switch levels). -Afshin Andreas

December 4, 2001

• 11:26 MST: The user can now easily switch to another level when viewing a daily wind rose. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:44 MST: The user can compare spectral data on the same plot. Note: This only applies to the plots, not the data. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:54 MST: The LI-1800 Spectroradiometers now run only during daylight hours (using sunrise/set times that are calculated daily). -Afshin Andreas

December 3, 2001

• 09:49 MST: The BMS Global 40-South PSP was calibrated and a new cal factor was entered into the logger program today @ 9:47 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:55 MST: There is a problem with the 10 and 20 meter Wind Speeds at NWTC M2, they are reading too low. This problem started occuring on Nov 9, 2001. -Afshin Andreas

November 30, 2001

• 13:59 MST: The EKO Sky Scanner now scans only during daylight hours. -Afshin Andreas

November 28, 2001

• 12:35 MST: The user can now generate solar position and intesity from time and place using SOLPOS. -Afshin Andreas

November 21, 2001

• 11:01 MST: A new feature has been added to the web site that allows the comparing of measurements from different sites. The user can compare any number measurements from any number of sites. The user can view the comparison as a plot or download the data. This can be done with all historical data or the "current conditions".
  -Afshin Andreas

November 20, 2001

• 07:54 MST: There may be a problem with the BMS 8-48, there are very large negatives (up to -80). -Afshin Andreas

November 16, 2001

• 08:52 MST: The EKO SkyScanner and SRRL SkyCam have been added to the BMS Instrument Pictures Page. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:29 MST: The BMS Pictures has been updated to include the Global Horiz Table #2. -Afshin Andreas

November 15, 2001

• 08:53 MST: The "Live" Data page has been enabled for SCI. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:49 MST: Communications trouble with SCI is getting worse. The calling schedule has been increased from 24 hrs to 6 hrs in an attempt to collect all data. -Afshin Andreas

November 14, 2001

• 12:02 MST: The BMS UV-S-A-T and UV-S-B-T were received from the factory and returned to service @ 11:37 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:59 MST: The original logger program at SCI was restored yesterday @ 14:50 PST. -Afshin Andreas

November 12, 2001

• 12:47 MST: Due to poor communications with SCI the original program can not be restored at this time. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:02 MST: Someone changed the SCI datalogger program on Nov 9 at 14:40 PST, without my knowledge! The program is no longer outputing the CR21x battery voltage and all the wind directions are outputing zero. This problem will hopefully be corrected. -Afshin Andreas

November 7, 2001

• 10:42 MST: Power to the BMS Diffuse UVB-1 was interupted for a few minutes at 10:23 MST, when it's power was re-routed to a UPS outlet. -Afshin Andreas

November 5, 2001

• 08:01 MST: There is a problem with the AOCS software. After running for a day or two, the turbidity, transmission, and water vapor go to zero and the AOCS parameter is wrong (which causes no spectral data). The software has to be manually restarted to correct the problem. The problem will be investigated. -Afshin Andreas

November 2, 2001

• 09:51 MST: The BMS display has been updated to show only data from sun rise to set set on the Irradiance Plot. -Afshin Andreas

November 1, 2001

• 11:09 MST: Fixed calculation of sunrise/set times in AOCS program, this will prevent the AOCS from taking data the extra 1-2 hours before and after rise/set and generating garbage. -Afshin Andreas

October 31, 2001

• 10:06 MST: Fixed a bug that occurs when clicking on a plot in a solar calendar and then clicking next day, month, or year, to a time frame that has a different file format. Instead of halting the user, it would proceed to plot the wrong data with wrong legend titles. The bug fix will now halt the user from proceeding. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:27 MST: The GNUPlot software has been upgraded to the windows version. This solved the time delay problem. -Afshin Andreas

October 30, 2001

• 16:00 MST: There is a problem with the GNUPlot program that is ued for generating the time series plots and the spectral plots. For some reason there is sometimes a 11-12 second delay during execution. This happens most often when producing a spectral plot. The problem is being investigated. -Afshin Andreas
• 12:26 MST: The Live/Daily Data & Plots will now display the actual sunrise/set. Note: This only works for sites that contain the zenith angle in their data streams. Sites without zenith angle will default back to the 04:00 to 20:00 MST. -Afshin Andreas

October 26, 2001

• 13:26 MST: The Datalogger program in the AOCS was lost on Oct 25 @ 16:10 MST, due to a UPS test. The logger program was uploaded today @ 13:15 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:53 MST: The SkyScanner stop functioning yesterday at 11:00 MST. The system was restarted today at 7:45 MST. -Afshin Andreas

October 19, 2001

• 13:59 MST: As of 7:23 MST, the Atmospheric Optical Calibration System (AOCS) has been added to the SRRL web site. -Afshin Andreas

October 18, 2001

• 10:39 MST: BSRN Direct normal disconnected 9:30 to 10:30 MST for ST tracker repair. -Pete Gotseff

October 16, 2001

• 07:40 MST: The Schott RSP was added to the SRRL Web Site on Oct. 12. Note: The system is still under testing, data may be bad. -Afshin Andreas

October 15, 2001

• 16:10 MST: BSRN diffuse Eppley ST tracker was not operational from early 10/12/01 to late afternoon 10/15/01. Diffuse values will match Global during this time. Both Direct and Diffuse ST trackers were repaired and/or replaced during this time due to excessive slop in the drive line. -Pete Gotseff
• 13:37 MST: The BSRN Diffuse Tracker stopped working on Oct. 13. -Afshin Andreas
• 12:53 MST: Both LI-1800 Spectroradiometers were set at 2nm scans every 5 minutes today @ 12:50 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 06:46 MST: All (3) BMS Trackers were down on Oct 13 & 14, due to a tripped GFI. This affected all direct and diffuse (except the shadow band) instruments. Problem was corrected today at 6:32 MST. -Afshin Andreas

October 10, 2001

• 13:43 MST: The Global 40-South LI-1800 is operational. No problem was found. -Afshin Andreas
• 13:10 MST: The Direct Normal LI-1800 is operational. A new terminal emulator software was installed. -Afshin Andreas

October 9, 2001

• 15:21 MST: The Direct LI-1800 is down due to a problem with the binary data collection. The problem is caused by a strange character that causes the terminal emulator software to stop receiving data. The program has to be manually reset. -Afshin Andreas
• 10:17 MST: As of 9:55 MST, the LI-1800 Data Acquisition software has been updated. The data is now downloaded in binary format and then converted to ASCII, this allows for faster scans. The LI-1800 data format has been modified to include start/end wavelength and wavelength interval, this allows for these parameters to be easily changed at any time, without having to create a new "virtual" station. The Direct LI-1800 is now collecting data at 5nm intervals every minute. -Afshin Andreas

October 8, 2001

• 12:09 MST: The SRRL GPS Time page has been re-activated. The page will only work for computers in the nrel.gov domain. -Afshin Andreas

October 4, 2001

• 08:18 MST: The SRRL Web Server was upgraded today at 7:48 MST. The new system is a 1.7 GHz Dual Xeon Processor. -Afshin Andreas

October 3, 2001

• 08:27 MST: Fixed a bug, that prevent the monthly wind rose data from being generated on the first day of every month. September wind rose data for BMS, NWTC, SCI, and EC, were generated today. -Afshin Andreas

September 24, 2001

• 14:32 MST: As of 14:25 MST today, the Direct Normal LI-1800 is collecting data in 2nm intervals instead of 10nm. Scans are every 3 minutes, instead of 1 minute. This may be a permanent change. -Afshin Andreas
• 11:32 MST: There is a problem with the Wind Direction Sensor @ 80m at NWTC M2, it is stuck in the North-East Direction. -Afshin Andreas
• 10:59 MST: The BMS Wind Direction (both 22' and 42' level) data from 11-1-2000 to 3-8-2001 were corrected (due to the wrong offset noted below in the March 8 news entery). -Afshin Andreas
• 08:18 MST: Historical Wind Roses are now available for EC. -Afshin Andreas

September 23, 2001

• 15:00 MST: The Historical Wind Rose page has been updated, they are now generated on-the-fly and is available for any site with any level. The sites with Wind Speed and Direction are: BMS, NWTC, SCI, and EC (not ready at this time). -Afshin Andreas

September 18, 2001

• 08:57 MST: Calibration Histories for 12 BMS instruments have been created. These can be accessed from the "Instrument History" page, then click on a calibration factor to see a history for that instrument. Histories for additional instruments will be added in the future. -Afshin Andreas
• 06:51 MST: The Direct LI-1800 was operational on Sept 17 @ 12:34 MST. No problem was discovered. -Afshin Andreas

September 17, 2001

• 10:40 MST: The Direct Normal LI-1800 failed on Sept 14 at approx 8:00MST, when we had a power dip. Problem is unknown at this time. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:13 MST: The plot labels for BMS instruments have been shortened, to fix the legends from disappearing when generating a third component plot. -Afshin Andreas

September 16, 2001

• 06:53 MST: There is a bug in the plotting that causes the legend to disapear, because one of the labels is too long. This will happen if you perform a third component calculation with the ventilated zenith corrected PSP (longest label). The problem will be fixed tomorrow. -Afshin Andreas

September 15, 2001

• 13:11 MST: A user can now select any two component combination of global, direct, & diffuse, and calculate the other third component. This can be done with any site that stores the zenith angle in the data stream. -Afshin Andreas

September 13, 2001

• 09:17 MST: The BMS data format was changed today @ 8:44 MST. All historical data since August 4, 2001, was also reformated (new fields were marked missing with -99999). The following changes were made:
  
  • Global PSP Vent: RS @ 45 and Resposivity Function
  • Turbidity and Irradiance for (5) Photometers
  • Diffuse PSP: Nite-Time Offset (thermal) corrected and uncorrected
  • Direct NIP: corrected and uncorrected
  • Aerosol Optical Depth
  • Solar Position: Zenith, Azimuth, and Airmass.
  -Afshin Andreas

September 12, 2001

• 15:13 MST: Fixed a bug at 15:10 MST, which prevented the ShadowBand correction factor from being applied. This problem started on 9-7-2001 @ 15:00 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 10:50 MST: The noise problem with the TSP-1 was corrected today at 10:44 MST. The problem was caused by the power supply, which was replaced. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:45 MST: The problem with the CH1 was corrected @ 8:41 MST. The left side of the Sci-Tec tracker had slipped due to a loose screw. The problem had affected the CH1 and Direct TUVR. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:37 MST: The TWC Photometer was put into service today @ 8:14 MST. The shield on the signal cable was mistakenly connected to the low end of the power supply. This problem was corrected. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:35 MST: There is a problem with the BMS Direct CH1, which started today.....the signal is too low. The problem will be investigated. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:50 MST: The Global 40-South LI-1800 was removed from service today @ 7:49 MST. The instrument has not been working for a long time. -Afshin Andreas

September 10, 2001

• 12:54 MST: The option of compressing data is now available on the Daily Data and Live Data page, when selecting the "Selected Data" or "Full Raw Data" option. -Afshin Andreas

September 7, 2001

• 15:05 MST: The BMS Global PSP and Global PSP Ventilated as of 15:00 MST, use a responsivity function based on zenith angle instead of a signal responsivity at 45. -Afshin Andreas
• 14:29 MST: The cal factors for the BMS NIP, RG780 NIP, and the LI-201, were returned to the previos values at 14:28 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 12:43 MST: The new cal factors for the primary NIP, RG780 NIP, and the LI-201 are bad, due to a short in the TWC Photometer which affected these instruments during the BORCAL. The TWC photometer has been disconnected for troubleshooting and the cal factors for the (3) instruments will be returned to the old values later today. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:01 MST: New cal factors were enterered into the BMS logger @ 6:37 MST for the following instruments: Primary NIP, Secondary NIP, RG780 NIP, LI-201, CH1. The Diffuse PSP was returned to the cal factor used prior to Aug 15. -Afshin Andreas

September 5, 2001

• 10:36 MST: The BMS Instrument Pictures page has been updated to show the instruments mounted on our new instrument deck and (2) towers. Note: The UV-S-A-T, UV-S-B-T, and TSP-1, are not pictured. (They will be shown when we recieve the two UV instruments back from Kipp & Zonen). -Afshin Andreas
• 07:53 MST: The BMS Insturment QA page has been updated, to include major instrument problems for the Direct TUVR, TWC Photometer, UV-S-A-T, and UV-S-B-T. -Afshin Andreas

September 4, 2001

• 06:48 MST: Some of the BMS insturments are being calibrated in a BORCAL. Due to our patch panel not being complete at this time, we had to disconnect some instruments and swap others. -Afshin Andreas

September 3, 2001

• 12:03 MST: Real-Time ("Live") Graphical Displays are now available online for both SRRL BMS and NWTC M2. These displays were previously only available within the SRRL and NWTC buildings. Note: The system is still under construction, so the displays may not update. -Afshin Andreas
• 11:59 MST: At NWTC, the 2 and 50 meter temperature and the dewpoint were fixed on Aug 31 @ approx 10:00 MST. The problem was caused by damaged signal surge protection system. -Afshin Andreas

August 31, 2001

• 06:43 MST: There is a problem with the 2 and 50m temperature sensors at NWTC, they are reading too low. -Afshin Andreas

August 28, 2001

• 07:01 MST: The CR23X logger program at NWTC was changed today @ 6:50 MST. The aspirator signals are now reported in VDC instead of mVDC and the Specific Humidity is reported in g/Kg (grams of water per kilogram of air) instead of g/g (or Kg/Kg). -Afshin Andreas
• 06:57 MST: The 20m wind direction and 80m temperature sensors have failed and will need to be replaced at NWTC. -Afshin Andreas
• 06:55 MST: The National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) M2 Tower data has been added to the SRRL web site. Data is updated every 60 seconds and historical data is available since September 1996. -Afshin Andreas

August 27, 2001

• 06:32 MST: There maybe a problem with the 500nm TWC Photometer, everyday at approx 8:00 MST, the signal jumps. This may be due to the tracker pulling a loose connection. -Afshin Andreas

August 24, 2001

• 07:58 MST: As of Aug 24, 2001 at 0:00 MST, turbidity is now calculated for all (5) photomers and the shadow band correction factor is applied to the diffuse PSP. -Afshin Andreas

August 23, 2001

• 12:02 MST: The TWC 500nm Photometer cal factor was corrected in the logger program today @ 12:00 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 11:04 MST: The wrong cal factor is in the CR23X program for the TWC 500nm photometer, the problem has been there since Nov. 1, 2000. It will be corrected later today. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:30 MST: Cal Factors for The Diffuse 8-48, CM22, and PSP were updated today @ 8:20 MST. -Afshin Andreas

August 22, 2001

• 08:58 MST: The Global UV-S-A-T and UV-S-B-T instruments were removed today @ 8:31MST. The instruments were leaking and one started to short circuit due to water. They will probably be returned to Kipp & Zonen for repair. -Afshin Andreas

August 21, 2001

• 08:49 MST: Fixed a bug that caused the wind rose to crash when generating a "live" wind rose. -Afshin Andreas

August 19, 2001

• 12:39 MST: A new cal factor for the UV-Index was entered into the CR23X program today @ 12:31 MST. The UV-Index is now calculated using the Solar Light 501A instead of the YES UVB-1, because the 501A detector spectral response more closely resebles the Erythema Action Spectrum according to CIE 1987. -Afshin Andreas
• 10:21 MST: The BMS Instrument page has been updated to include the new calibration factors from BORCAL 2001-01 and the UV/PAR calibrations. -Afshin Andreas
• 10:01 MST: The cal factor for the Diffuse PSP was corrected in the CR23X program today @ 9:51 MST. This is a temporary correction, a new value will be created in BORCAL 2001-02. -Afshin Andreas
• 09:58 MST: All the UV instruments (except the UV-Index) and the Quantum sensor have been calibrated. The new cal factors were put in the CR23X program today @ 9:51 MST. The instruments were calibrated using the following spectral ranges:
  • UVA intruments: 280-315nm
  • UVB instruments: 315-400nm
  • Total-UV instruments: 280-400nm
  • Quantum (PAR) sensor: 400-700nm
  -Afshin Andreas
• 09:29 MST: The following BMS instruments were calibrated in BORCAL 2001-01, the calibration factors were updated in the CR23X program on Aug 15 @ 9:05 MST: Global PSP, Global PSP (vent), Global SP-Lite, Diffuse 8-48, and Diffuse PSP. Note: The Diffuse PSP's new cal factor is bad and will be corrected soon. -Afshin Andreas

August 15, 2001

• 09:14 MST: The Diffuse CM-22 was installed today at 7:48 MST. The Infrared CG4 was installed today at 8:00 MST. The Global Quantum LI-190 was installed today at 9:05 MST. -Afshin Andreas

August 9, 2001

• 14:43 MST: If a station has multiple pairs of wind speed/direction sensors, a wind rose can now be generated for the selected level. -Afshin Andreas

August 8, 2001

• 14:58 MST: The Kipp & Zonen Global SP-Lite was installed today @ 14:56 MST. -Afshin Andreas
• 11:28 MST: The Instrument History page has been updated to include all the new instruments in BMS 8. -Afshin Andreas
• 10:10 MST: The Direct TUVR was returned to service 10:00MST. A new fused silica glass window and mount has been fitted by the machine shop to avoid future moisture leaks .. we hope. -Pete Gotseff
• 06:34 MST: The Kipp & Zonen CNR1 Net Radiometer was installed on Aug 7 @ 17:07 MST. This instrument includes the Global CM3, Upwelling Shortwave CM3, Downwelling Infrared CG3, Upwelling Infrared CG3 and CNR1 Case Temp. The following are calculated values from this instrument: Net Radiation, Net Infrared, and Albedo. -Afshin Andreas

August 7, 2001

• 13:32 MST: There is a noise problem with the Global TSP-1 instrument. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:09 MST: The old UV instrument information on the instrument history page has been updated to reflect the new BMS 8. -Afshin Andreas

August 6, 2001

• 06:59 MST: Note: The Instrument History page has NOT been updated yet, to reflect the new BMS 8.0. -Afshin Andreas
• 06:51 MST: BMS 8.0 was put online on Saturday, August 4, 2001 at 11:00 MST. Another CR10X datalogger had to be installed at our radiometer tower. The following new instruments were added:
  
  • Direct LI-COR LI-201SB
  • Diffuse YES UVB-1 w/detector temperature
  • Global LI-COR Quantum LI-190SA (not installed)
  • Infrared Kipp & Zonen CG4 w/case temperature (not installed)
  • Global UVA Kipp & Zonen UV-S-A-T w/ detector temp.
  • Global UVB Kipp & Zonen UV-S-B-T w/ detector temp.
  • Global YES TSP-1
  • Global Kipp & Zonen CM6b
  • Global Kipp & Zonen SP-Lite (not installed)
  • Direct Kipp & Zonen CH1
  • Net Radiometer Kipp & Zonen CNR1 (includes 4 instruments and case temp) (not installed)
  • Met Tower Transmitter Battery.
  BMS 8.0 also includes the following new calculations:
  
  • Tower Wind Chill Temp
  • Vertical Wind Sheer
  • Accumulated Precipitation
  • Est. Sea-Level Pressure
  • Net Radiation (Eppley & CNR1)
  • Albedo (Epply & CNR1)
  • Net Infrared (CNR1)
  The following instrument was replaced:
  • Diffuse Kipp & Zonen CM11 was repleaced with a CM22 (not installed)
  The following was removed:
  
  • The (5) UV measurements made at the peak of their spectral response curve. (The instruments will be calibrated at the full UVA/UVB region.)
  
  Note: Some instruments are not yet connected to the BMS system (They output -99999 or 0) and some need new calibrations performed. -Afshin Andreas

August 2, 2001

• 07:49 MST: The Global 40-South LI-1800 is not functioning correctly. The spectra have been bad since July 27. -Afshin Andreas

July 12, 2001

• 10:01 MST: RS-232 Surge Protectors were added to both LI-1800 instruments (at both ends of the communications cable). A power surge protector was added to the Global LI-1800. Hopefully, this will prevent the LI-1800s from malfunctioning during lightning storms. -Afshin Andreas

July 9, 2001

• 06:44 MST: We have been loosing communication with the Global LI-1800 Spectroradiometer and a power cycle on the instrument is required to get it working again. The problem may due to surges in the power or com cable to the instrument, from lightning storms. Surge protection will be added to both the power and/or com cable soon. -Afshin Andreas

July 7, 2001

• 11:59 MST: A RS-232 communication chip was replaced in the Direct LI-1800 spectroradiometer on July 6 @ 6:45 MST. The instrument is no longer experiencing the data corruption at temperatures over 30 degrees C. -Afshin Andreas

July 3, 2001

• 06:17 MST: The new LI-1800 direct normal tube was completed by the machine shop and installed yesterday @ 13:23 MST. -Afshin Andreas

July 2, 2001

• 09:53 MST: We have been experiancing data corruption of the LI-1800 Direct Normal, which started happening when we've been experiencing these higher temperatures (above 30 C). The instrument evetually stops responding and is unable to collect data until the next morning. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:28 MST: The Global 40-South LI-1800 Spectroradiometer stopped functioning on June 26. The LI-1800 was power cycled today at 7:25 MST and appears to be functioning normally. -Afshin Andreas

June 27, 2001

• 09:46 MST: Direct TUVR was removed from service today 6/27/01 approx 9:30MST, for trouble shooting continuing moisture leak. -Pete Gotseff
• 09:44 MST: Intense thunderstorm occured 6/26/01 ~2-3pm MST Direct TUVR was found to still accumulate moisture. Direct TUVR also moved in its bracket presumably during thunderstorm and jammed tracker today AM. All instruments on Sci-Tec#1 were not tracking until 9:30MST (DW IR, LI200(S), Diff PSP, Diff 8-48, NIP(S), LI-1800) -Pete Gotseff

June 25, 2001

• 07:11 MST: The Direct TUVR was reinstalled at 15:30 on June 22, 2001. The instrument required resealing of the lens, o-ring replacement and Helicoils inserted for several stripped machine screws used to mount the instrument. -Pete Gotseff

June 8, 2001

• 13:28 MST: For 3-4 weeks the Direct NIP tracker was ~5 degrees off after solar noon. A brass gear in the tracker required replacement. The BSRN NIP Eppley tracker was serviced starting 08:45 MST and returned to service 12:45 MST. Both Direct and Diffuse trackers on the BSRN were without power during this time. -Pete Gotseff

June 5, 2001

• 10:42 MST: The LI-2020 tracker for the Global Normal CM-21 has been appearing to drift over the last 3-4 weeks. A battery monitor was added to the BMS data May 23er 2001. The LI-2020 tracker battery was replaced May 31st with a used battery and again June 1st 13:10 MST with a new battery in an attempt to correct the problem. Also on June 1st a support bracket was loosened to allow more clearance for the LI-2020 midnight reset. Presently, the tracker operation appears good. The support bracket may have been interferring with the midnight reset of the tracker. -Pete Gotseff

May 30, 2001

• 06:29 MST: The Direct TUVR was removed from service on 5-29 @ 14:01 MST, to allow the moisture in the tube to dry. -Pete Gotseff

May 23, 2001

• 13:43 MST: The Global Normal LI-2020 Tracker Battery Voltage was added to the BMS, today @ 13:33 MST. -Afshin Andreas

May 16, 2001

• 12:02 MST: The SkyCam was returned to service on May 7 @ 16:00 MST. The web camera was replaced, the ND filter was changed from 2.0 to 1.6, and the web camera lens was changed from a 30^o wide to a 53^o wide field of view. The new lens allows the camera lens to focus all the image viewed by the Nikon Fish-Eye Lens (a sliver of the sides were chopped off before). A heater was also placed inside the weather-proof box, which will hopefully keep the outer dome clear of snow. -Afshin Andreas

May 4, 2001

• 07:34 MST: The Direct Normal LI-1800 Spectroradiometer is now functional. An Eppley Ventilator (which got wet due to snow) had tripped a GFI which the LI-1800 was running on. -Afshin Andreas

May 3, 2001

• 06:29 MST: We have discovered a that all the direct spectral data is too low (could be as much as 20% low). This is due to a design problem with the direct fiber optic mount. A temporary direct normal tube was made on April 30 @ 7:37 MST, all data prior to this time is bad and will be removed (or corrected if possible). The machine shop is currently making a new direct normal tube. -Afshin Andreas
• 06:23 MST: The Direct Normal LI-1800 failed on May 2 @ 11:24 MST. Communication can't be restored to the instrument at this time. -Afshin Andreas
• 06:21 MST: They SkyCam was removed from service on May 2 around 10:00 MST. A heater is being installed in the case to keep the dome free of ice and snow. If time allows the camera will be replaced (the old camera has a band of CCD's that are burned). Note: The bug in the sky cam software/drivers is producing duplicate images when communcation is lost. -Afshin Andreas

April 23, 2001

• 12:13 MST: The Global Normal CM-21 was replaced with a new instrument today @ 10:23MST. The datalogger program was updated with the new calibration factor @ 12:02MST. -Afshin Andreas

April 13, 2001

• 06:56 MST: The Direct LI-1800 spectroradiometer was returned to service on April 12 @ 15:31 MST. The instrument had the wavelength drive lubricated and the detector replaced at the factory. It was then calibrated in the SRRL Optics Lab vs. NIST Spectral Standard of Irradiace F408 using our custom direct adapter with fiber cable. Note: The instrument still misses a 1-minute scan every so often, the data acquisition will be converted to binary, in the future (when time allows), to prevent this problem. -Afshin Andreas

April 2, 2001

• 06:59 MST: Campbell Scientific PC208W crashed again on the weekend, BSRN data was lost from March 30 @ 19:31 MST to March 31 @ 16:14 MST. This problem started occuring after Bluefield State and Elizabeth City was added to the calling schedule. Cambell Scientific has been alerted of the problem, hopefully they will have a solution. -Afshin Andreas

March 27, 2001

• 13:48 MST: The ATI shadowband stopped rotating today at approx. 7:00 MST. -Afshin Andreas

March 22, 2001

• 13:14 MST: The PC208W data collection software was DOWNGRADED from version 3.2 to version 3.1. The newer version was experiencing random/unexplainable crashes. -Afshin Andreas

March 19, 2001

• 12:57 MST: The Global 40-South Spectroradiometer was returned to service today at 12:56 MST after a new calibration. Note: The old data reads only about 2% high. -Afshin Andreas
• 08:30 MST: The Global 40-South LI-1800 Spectroradiometer was removed from service today at 8:29MST. It will be calibrated in the SRRL Optics Lab. It will be returned to service later today. -Afshin Andreas

March 16, 2001

• 16:30 MST: The Direct Normal LI-1800 Spectroradiometer was removed from service today @ 16:26 MST. It will be returned to LICOR for service and then recalibrated in the SRRL Optics Lab. -Afshin Andreas
• 13:07 MST: The EKO Sky Scanner is still under diagnosis. Some of the data collected today looks OK, but the instrument may have intermittent problems. -Afshin Andreas
• 13:00 MST: Elizabeth City State University (EC) and Bluefield State Colloge (BS) from the CONFRRM network (monthly data for these sites have been available on the RReDC since 1985) have been added to the SRRL web site. Data for Elizabeth City updates every 3 hours and daily data is available since July 14, 1995. Bluefield State updates every 12 hours and daily data is availabe since January 1, 1995. The update frequency may increase in the future and the older historical data back to 1985 may be added in the future. -Afshin Andreas

March 8, 2001

• 16:02 MST: A sign error on both wind direction calibration offsets in the BMS datalogger program was discovered. This problem caused the wind direction to read 60^o higher than actual. The offset was corrected today at 10:45 MST. The historical data (since 11/01/2000) will be corrected sometime in the near future. -Afshin Andreas

March 5, 2001

• 08:31 MST: The problem with the Direct LI-1800 quiting early in the day appears to be fixed. There is a bug in the software used to communcate with the LI-1800, which caused a stack overflow. The script was modified to prevent this from occurring. -Afshin Andreas

March 1, 2001

• 07:44 MST: There is a problem with the Direct LI-1800 and/or communcations. For about 2 weeks now it has stopped functioning earlier than 19:59 MST (the times vary). -Afshin Andreas

February 14, 2001

• 17:08 MST: The Sun-Follower III mount was raised by 5" on Feb 13 @ 12:26 MST. The original mount was too low and some of the direct instruments on this tracker could see the rail on the deck, during the early morning. -Afshin Andreas

February 12, 2001

• 12:31 MST: It was just discovered that the temporary mount for the Global 40-South Spectral Data (used from Jan 26 to Jan 31) was actually at 50^o. This data will probably be removed. -Afshin Andreas

February 5, 2001

• 08:41 MST: Direct Normal LI-1800 Spectral Data is now available, since Feb 2 @ 13:05 MST. The LI-1800 is using a fiber probe (with custom adapter to give 5^o field of view) mounted to a Sci-Tec tracker and the LI-1800 detector is temperature controlled at 40^o C. Data is also collected every minute, however the Direct LI-1800 is slightly slower than the Global 40 LI-1800, which causes data to be lost every 10 minutes or so. The data collection software will be upgraded in the future to support binary data transfer to alow for quicker downloading of data, to prevent this from occuring. Note: The Global 40-South LI-1800 is not temperature controlled. -Afshin Andreas

February 1, 2001

• 18:55 MST: The BMS Global 40-South LI-1800 was moved to it's final location, on Jan 31 @ 15:47 MST. -Afshin Andreas

January 31, 2001

• 10:11 MST: The Sci-Tec is fixed, the new direct normal adapter for the LI-1800 fiber probe was preventing the tracker from finding its home position. The mount was adjusted to correct the problem. -Afshin Andreas
• 07:33 MST: The BMS Sci-Tec tracker is not functioning, cause is unknown at this time. This affects the Direct TUVR, secondary NIP, and the shaded instruments: Diffuse PSP, Diffuse 8-48, Net IR, and Downwelling IR. -Afshin Andreas

January 26, 2001

• 09:01 MST: Outdoor spectral data is now available on the SRRL web server. Data is taken by a LI-COR LI-1800 Spectroradiometer from 300 to 1100nm at 10nm intervals. The data is taken from 4:00 to 19:59 MST every minute (and is available 1 minute later on the web).
  
  We currently have a Global 40-South mounted temporary above the cement pad at SRRL (about 5 ft above ground). It will be moved to it's final location next to the PV panel's (which overlooks more vegetation), sometime next week. The data for the Global 40 is available since Jan 24 @ 11:02 MST.
  
  We will also be installing a Direct Normal (via the licor fiber probe mounted on sci-tec tracker) sometime next week.
  
  On this page the data can be downloaded over a selected time range and is available in two formats, comma-delimited by time (very similar to campbell datalogger format), or 2 column (wavelength vs irradiance). The data can also be plotted as Irradiance vs wavelength at a certain time, the user can then easily jump back in forth in time by minute, hour, day, etc, by clicking on the link below the plot.
  
  I've also made this data available through the "standard datalogger type web interface", so you can display a plot (or download data) at one particular wavelength vs time. I've also have a few preset integrals under the curve, which also can be displayed vs. time. -Afshin Andreas

January 18, 2001

• 09:59 MST: The "live" SkyCam now works for users outside of NREL. (GPS Time still does not) -Afshin Andreas
• 00:44 MST: The standard time port has also been blocked, users outside NREL will not be able to set their time to our server. Also, the SRRL GPS Time page, will not display our time (for the same reason), therefore it will default to your computer time. -Afshin Andreas
• 00:35 MST: Due to NREL's new implementation of increased firewall security, users from outside NREL can't view the "live" skycam (due to port 8800 being blocked). -Afshin Andreas

January 17, 2001

• 08:21 MST: There may be a problem with the radiance detector on the EKO Sky Scanner. (The luminance looks OK) -Afshin Andreas

January 15, 2001

• 15:03 MST: The PIR correction equation (in the datalogger) was modified today @ 14:53MST to include an additional correction factor based on a shortwave instrument. See the Instrument History page for more information. -Afshin Andreas
• 12:51 MST: They EKO SkyScanner was repaired and put back into service today @ 9:30MST. The (4) socket cap screws holding the rotating detector head to the body had worked loose and one of them broke, which caused the head to stop moving. The threads were repaired and a new screw was installed. -Afshin Andreas
• 12:47 MST: The J-Box Ref Temp and 8-48 Temp were removed from BMS today @ 10:49 MST, they are not needed. These fields will be stripped from the raw data files in the near future (the fields are set to zero). -Afshin Andreas

January 9, 2001

• 08:21 MST: The 8-48 noise problem was corrected today at 8:20 MST. There was a loose screw on the patch panel. -Afshin Andreas

January 8, 2001

• 08:09 MST: Sometime around noon on the 5th the 8-48 signal got noisy again. The problem will be investigated. -Afshin Andreas

January 4, 2001

• 11:12 MST: The Diffuse 8-48 was repaired yesterday @ 13:05 MST. The signal cable was replaced. -Afshin Andreas

January 2, 2001

• 08:05 MST: There appears to be something wrong with the Diffuse 8-48, we are observing very large night time offsets (up to -100), the daytime data looks OK. -Afshin Andreas
  
  

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