Datalink weather radar

[gflyer]

Does anyone know if datalink weather radar suffers from attenuation the same as airborne radar? My understanding is that an uplink picture gives you a summery of multiple NEXRAD sites, i.e. painting a cell from multiple sides. Thanks for the help.

 

[Flying Illini]

I have no experience with the up/down linked wx but my guess is that it does NOT suffer attenuation. I believe it is just like looking at the radar picture on a WSI computer which is compiled from several stations.

 

[gflyer]

That's my thought also. I just wasn't sure if it only uplinked the nearest NEXRAD site or was a composite. Thanks for the help.

 

[fr0g]

I don't think many nexrad sites overlap out west...

 

[JediNein]

Uplinked Wx RADAR

Greetings!
Yes, uplinked weather RADAR can attenuate, but usually not as severe as airborne RADAR. The picture is a composite image from multiple NEXRAD "Doppler" RADAR sites. WSI is one of the service providers for uplinked weather, the picture in the pilot lounge is the same one in the cockpit.

There are a few limitations to be aware of:
1. Location of the RADAR site(s) versus the storm. In the East, the picture may be from 6 sites with 2 attenuating and 1 not able to display. Out West, there may only be one site or none at all, especially in Nevada.

2. Storms overhead the site or at low altitudes away from the site may not show.

3. Buildings, mountains, and bugs can block the signal from one site. Again, major concern out West, not so much in the East.

4. The resolution of the display may be as large of a problem as attenuation. Example: Central Valley of CA, large thunderstorms over the eastern side and over the Sierras, smaller line of storms over the coastal range, there is a clear shot following the freeway on the east side of the valley. NEXRAD from the main site (Hanford) was attenuating, uplinked NEXRAD showed the entire valley as red. Airborne Weather RADAR and the Mark II Eyeball were both able to show the clear area, and the flight through the Valley was made in VFR under clear skies and calm winds.

5. Age of the information. If you don't like what you see, download again. Any attenuation is usually cleared up with a refresh. If you still don't like what you see, and you are not a freight dog, don't fly through the area.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[HAZ-MAT]

One of our Be-58's had this data link radar, and the big problem was once you got into the weather, you couldnt receive continous weather updates. Its used to AVOID the weather, not look at it, and punch thru a weaker area, because if you try that, you wont be getting any more updates. So for someone that owns their own airplane this Data Link would be great for them, but for Freight guys, not so good, you're better off with a Bendix King or something.

 

[sky37d]

The best system is Avidyne
which can display on board radar, as well as Nexrad, on the same screen.