The MST radar at Poker Flat, Alaska

Abstract

We describe the basic configuration of the Poker Flat, Alaska, MST (mesosphere‐stratosphere‐troposphere) radar currently under construction by NOAA's Aeronomy Laboratory. This 50‐MHz coherent radar consists of a 4 × 10 4 m 2 phased dipole array, a 6.4‐MW peak power transmitter system (consisting of 64 separate 100‐kW peak pulse power transmitter modules distributed throughout the array), and an on‐line Doppler analysis/data recording system. With some limitations the system will be capable of measuring winds, waves, and turbulence throughout the 1‐ to 100‐km height range. Data obtained from the portion of the Poker Flat system already in operation are presented and discussed.