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<br />b. Training <br /> <br />Major training was conducted to fami1iari:~e electronic technicians and <br />field assistants with PROBE equipment. Instrument functions as well as the <br />interfacing of sensors with transmitting devices had to be understood by field <br />and data handling pE~rsonne1. The associated trouble shooting had to be <br />thoroughly understood by electronics personnel. Data handling personnel were <br />required to recognize potential equipment problems from an errored data set. <br /> <br />One to three months was generally needed for an electronic technician to <br />understand the PROBE electronics. The associated sensor operational <br />capabilities and circuitry also had to be well understood by electronic <br />personnel. In additon the area geography and landowner concerns had to be <br />recognized by field personnel. The training required for field personnel to <br />appraise and resolve PROBE equipment failure took a significant amount of the <br />total CCOPE preparation time. <br /> <br />c. Scheduling <br /> <br />Some of the field program preparations commenced when calibration exercises <br />were performed for the 1980 PROBE mesonet operation (Holman and McInerney, <br />1983). The primary preparation and testing of sensors began in November 1980. <br />Figure 11.1 notes the PROBE field activity schedule for CCOPE for the period of <br />1 November 1980 through 31 October 1981. <br /> <br />PROBE data collection commenced as originally scheduled. However, the <br />quality control was 110t satisfactory until routine field service activities had <br />progressed for about 2 weeks. At that time the field service confidence and <br />understanding stabilized and, when coupled with the improved data handling, an <br />effective data quality control program resulted. The best time to assume <br />quality data collection would be near 11 May 1981. Up until this time, data <br />handling and field activities should be considered as preparations for the <br />routine PROBE data collection. <br /> <br />3. PREPARATION <br /> <br />The PROBE preparaltion and associated calibration activities, before the <br />routine mesonet data collection exercises commenced, required the largest <br />number of personnel and their most intensive work. Such personnel prepared and <br />deployed all field instruments and associated data handling software prior to <br />routine data collection. A technical report (Holman and McInerney, 1983) <br />describes the quality control procedures associated with PROBE mesonet <br />operations, including methods and procedures. <br /> <br />In addition, the software needed to access and manage the data had to be <br />developed, implemented and converted from Reclamation's CYBER computer system <br />to the local Perkin-Elmer 3220 minicomputer. Much of the data handling <br />software was developed prior to field data collection and consequently was <br />applied for equipment calibration and deployment. Many of the preseason <br />mesonet software products are also noted by Holman and McInerney (1983). <br /> <br />4. INSTALLATION <br /> <br />Ninety-five PROBE platforms were installed at field locations during the 13 <br />months prior to CCOPE operations. The mesonetwork design and site placement <br /> <br />9 <br />