AEROGRAPHER'S MATE 3 & 2 



Equipment supplied with these check sets 

 includes a remote switching control for control 

 of the radiosonde only. It also includes a cali- 

 bration chamber control mounted on the chamber 

 which provides all the controls necessary to 

 operate both the check set and the installed 

 radiosonde. 



For complete information on the operation 

 and maintenance of these check sets, refer to 

 the appropriate technical manuals. 



TEST SET TS-538/U. — This test set per- 

 forms as a frequency meter and power output 

 meter for the AN/AMT-4 and J006 A radiosondes. 

 It is also capable of simulating the AN/AMT-4 

 radiosonde to check the sensitivity, bandwidth, 

 and tracking accuracy of the AN/GMD-1 and 

 -2 rawin sets. 



BATTERY TEST SETS. — The standard bat- 

 tery tester is a twin-voltmeter instrument used 

 to measure A and B battery voltages of radio- 

 sonde batteries. Both A and B voltages may be 

 read directly on separate voltmeter dials si- 

 multaneously. 



BALLOON INFLATION EQUIPMENT 



Balloons 



Most of the balloons used in the Naval Weather 

 Service are made of synthetic rubber (neoprene). 

 The film thickness of the inflated balloons is 

 extremely small, and the balloons are very 

 delicate during storage or preflight prepara- 

 tions, the smallest cut, bruise, or scratch 

 will seriously affect the altitude at which the 

 balloon will burst. Therefore, the requirement 

 for careful balloon handling is essential. 



PILOT BALLOONS. — The balloons used to 

 obtain pilot balloon observations (PIBALs) are 

 of two sizes: 30-graro or 100-gram. They are 

 colored either red, black, or white. These dif- 

 ferent sizes and colors were designed for use 

 under various weather conditions. Select the 

 balloon size and color according to the in- 

 structions contained in Winds-Aloft Observations, 

 FMH No. 5. 



RADIOSONDE AND RAWINSONDE BAL- 

 LOONS. — These balloons are manufactured in 

 various sizes ranging from 300- to 1200-grams. 

 There is no standard balloon size. They differ 

 from pilot balloons in that they are uncolored, 

 larger, thinner, and more flexible. 



BALLOON CONDITIONING. — As a result of 

 exposure to relatively low temperatures and 

 extended periods in storage, neoprene balloons 

 suffer a partial loss of elasticity through crystal- 

 lization. Neoprene balloons used in this state will 

 burst prematurely. Therefore, if storage con- 

 ditions warrant, all neoprene balloons will be 

 conditioned to ensure maximum elasticity be- 

 fore use in accordance with instructions con- 

 tained in the appropriate FMH, 



Helium Regulator 



The helium regulator is used to provide a 

 low-pressure helium source for balloon infla- 

 tion. When connected to a helium cylinder, the 

 regulator provides an indication of cylinder 

 pressure, a regulated helium outlet pressure 

 suitable for balloon inflation, and an indication 

 of the number of cubic feet remaining in the 

 cylinder. 



Universal Balloon 

 Balance (ML-575UM) 



The universal balloon balance is used to 

 determine buoyancy and to control the inflation 

 of 10-, 30-, and 100-gram balloons. The set 

 contains adapters, a valve body, and a weight 

 pan. These items are packed in a small wooden 

 box. 



Balloon Inflation Nozzle 

 Weight Kit (MK-216/GM) 



This inflation kit is used to determine the 

 buoyancy and to control the inflation of a radio- 

 sonde balloon. The set contains two nozzle 

 assemblies of different size for large- and 

 small-necked balloons, a brass weight with 

 mounting post, and a weight stack of assorted 

 weights. 



BALLOON LAUNCH 



Balloon Shroud 



Balloon shrouds are fabric canopies used 

 to handle and to release inflated radiosonde 

 balloons in high or gusty winds. The shroud 

 is a nylon parachute-like cover, 6 feet in di- 

 ameter, with four flaps that fold almost com- 

 pletely around the inflated balloon, but which 

 have sufficient spacing between the flaps to 

 allow the neck of the balloon to protrude. (Each 

 flap has a handle.) On the top of the shroud 



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