Vaisala ASAP Sounding Station

Features

• Upper-air observation station for

marine conditions.

• Radiosonde data collection and

transmission in standard WMO

message format, TEMP SHIP and

BUFR.

• Radiosonde launcher: ALS211

Vaisala ASAP Sounding Station is a semi-automatic upper-air observation station for

use on-board ships. ASAP receives the radiosonde signals and converts them into

meteorological messages.

The Vaisala ASAP Sounding Station

converts radiosonde signals into

meteorological messages, which are

forwarded in standard WMO message

format, TEMP SHIP and BUFR through

satellite system to land station. Vaisala

automatic weather stations can be

integrated in order to bring data into the

system for surface weather observation

and SYNOP SHIP message.

Accurate Meteorological

Measurements

The Vaisala ASAP Sounding Station uses

Vaisala RS41 family radiosondes that

measure air pressure, temperature,

relative humidity and wind direction/

speed. Wind-finding methods are based

on the GPS.

Robust Design for Extreme

Conditions

The Vaisala ASAP Station is housed in a

10-foot container. It meets the

international requirements for

mechanical construction (ISO), with a

design that applies to the original

specifications set by the ASAP

Coordinating Committee (ACC) including

certain carefully considered

modifications. Vaisala Balloon Launcher

ALS211 protects the meteorological

balloon during the filling and launches

the radiosonde. It has been designed for

marine applications thus the

functionality of the balloon launcher is

reliable even in most extreme weather

conditions at sea.

User Friendly Operation

The Vaisala ASAP Sounding Station

includes the DigiCORAâ Sounding

System that requires the minimum

amount of time from the operator prior

to balloon release. Sounding preparation

phase can be easily followed with the

sounding system user interface. The

ASAP container offers comfortable and

air-conditioned room for the operator

during the sounding preparation phase,

protecting at the same time from the

current conditions at the sea. Balloon

filling and release actions are performed

by simply operating two separate control

levers. After the balloon and radiosonde

are released all actions are automatically

fulfilled including message transmission.

The Vaisala ASAP Station consists of:

• Vaisala DigiCORAâ Sounding System

MW41 with a no-break power supply

and the necessary software and

hardware options.

• Vaisala RS41 radiosondes

• Optionally Vaisala Automatic Weather

Station for making the surface PTU

and wind observations.

• Vaisala ALS211 semiautomatic

radiosonde launcher which includes

electrical heaters and air-conditioner.

Benefits

• Very compact structure

• Easy to install, operate and transfer

• Reliable data collection and

transmission.