RELEASE AND RECORDER RECORD B4-45 
12. Balloon forced down by precipitation or icing 
13, Chart limitations 
14, 5 mb (baroswitch, WB) 
20. Ascension Rate. Whenever an observation reaches an indicated 
altitude considerably above the average attained atthe station with sim- 
ilar balloons and radiosondes, or whenever the ascension rate near the 
top of the flight appears to be above normal, check the data for evidence 
of baroswitch failure. To accomplish this, critically examine the ascen- 
sion rates of the balloon for several layers and compare the rate for 
each layer with the rates for the preceding and succeeding layers. For 
example, compute the ascension rates for layers bounded by constant 
pressure surfaces; i.e., 50-40 mb, 20 to 15, 10 to 8, 8 to 7, 7 to 6, 
6 to 5, etc. A marked increase (50 percent or more) from one layer to 
another with a rapid ascension rate continuing thereafter is a good indi- 
cation that pressure values are questionable. Whenever the pressure data 
are determined to be erroneous, all data from the beginning of the er- 
roneous portion will be regarded as missing. 
21. Notes and Comments. Notes and comments pertinent to the ob- 
servation may be entered on the recorder record below the station iden- 
tification data. Observers are encouraged and requested to make such 
entries on the record as will assistinclarifying, qualifying, or explain- 
ing any unusual aspects of the record. The provisions of this paragraph 
should not be construed as authorizing the solicitation of such instruc- 
tions and opinions which should properly be made the subject of a letter 
or memorandum. 
7306 Folding the Recorder Record and Calibration Chart. The recorder 
record will be folded uniformly to facilitate inspection and filing. It will 
be folded evenly, accordion fashion, in 7-inch folds so that the entire 
record may be examined by turning over the folds. The first fold of the 
recorder record, upon which the identifying data are entered, should 
face outward. 
Staple the bottom of the strip-type calibration chart to the bottom of 
the recorder record centered at the 50-ordinate line. Stretch the cali- 
bration chart along the 50-ordinate line and then fold the calibration 
chart and recorder record together, accordion fashion, in 7-inch folds 
so that the entire record may be examined by turning over the folds. The 
first fold of the strip-type calibration chart upon which the identifying 
data are entered should face outward. The identifying data consists of 
the station name, date, time of release (GMT), to the nearest minute, the 
ascension number, and (WB) type of hygristor used. 
Hl 69 FMH#3 
