HIWRAP

HIWRAP collected 750 GB of data during the flight.  It had startup problems the first hour of flight due to a damaged connector and then ran through the entire flight.  The Ku-band functioned nominally and a surface return was observed but there was very little preciptiation during the flight; data is being processed.  The Ka-band data had much higher noise level than normal so the it is not scientifically usable. The cause for this is still being examined since it was not present on the previous flight.  An intermittent problem still occurs with the digital receiver that causes an elevated noise level. We more confident this is due to a minor timing issue in the FPGA firmware.  This problem is  being worked on by the engineer who built the boards.  

Instrument working nominally since Hurricane Earl flight with one beam from Ku and Ka-band.  Firmware updated so that two beams and two frequency data will be collected on future flights.  Processing has been spotty so far due to the large data volume collected.  Radar sensitivity appears to be as expected pending further study.