Article Type:
Research Article

Factors Affecting the Accuracy of SHOWEX HF Radar Wave Measurements

Lucy R. Wyatt Sheffield Centre for Earth Observation Science, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

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Guennadi Liakhovetski Sheffield Centre for Earth Observation Science, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

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Hans C. Graber Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

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Brian K. Haus Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH1728.1
Page(s):
847–859
Restricted access

Abstract

Ocean Surface Current Radar (OSCR) HF radar measurements of ocean waves and currents were made during the Shoaling Waves Experiment (SHOWEX) in the fall of 1999. During some periods, at some locations, good quality wave measurements were obtained. Limitations in the wave measurement capability due to OSCR hardware, deployment configuration, signal-to-noise ratio, and antenna sidelobes are identified and discussed. A short period of large currents in the presence of antenna pattern distortion is identified as the source of the main errors in the wave measurements.

Corresponding author address: Lucy R. Wyatt, Sheffield Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom. Email: l.wyatt@sheffield.ac.uk

Abstract

Ocean Surface Current Radar (OSCR) HF radar measurements of ocean waves and currents were made during the Shoaling Waves Experiment (SHOWEX) in the fall of 1999. During some periods, at some locations, good quality wave measurements were obtained. Limitations in the wave measurement capability due to OSCR hardware, deployment configuration, signal-to-noise ratio, and antenna sidelobes are identified and discussed. A short period of large currents in the presence of antenna pattern distortion is identified as the source of the main errors in the wave measurements.

Corresponding author address: Lucy R. Wyatt, Sheffield Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom. Email: l.wyatt@sheffield.ac.uk

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