Under the MRI Program, the Principal Investigator will upgrade and improve a mobile Doppler radar system known as the Doppler on Wheels (DOW). The current systems have provided unique data on both tornadoes and hurricane substructures. It is anticipated that the upgraded systems will provide better reliability and accuracy of the antenna control system and provide the construction and test of a prototype bistatic capability. Bistatic radar networks are capable of measuring vector wind fields using a single transmitter and one or more passive remotely located receivers. Since bistatic receivers are inexpensive, easy to field, and do not require large scanning antennas or transmitters, they are capable of being deployed en masse surrounding weather of interest, using signals from a nearby transmitting DOW. Due to their ability to be brought close to atmospheric phenomena, the DOWs can generally provide much higher resolution data than can be obtained from fixed site radars. It is anticipated that unique data sets will be forthcoming from a wide range of meteorological phenomena including tornadoes, hurricanes, microbursts, and orographic precipitation. ***
