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Calibration Alaska Maintenace

April 2024


N01A
In April, the AZ was 205° a discrepancy of 9.8° or 10.8° with the -1° bias, and the inclination was 16.8.

NISAR N01A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N01A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N01A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N01A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N01A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing

N02A
In April, we found an azimuth of 323° and expected 320.4°, a discrepancy of 2.6° or 1.6° with the -1° bias. The inclination was 15.9°. One post is leaning over a bit. It will be interesting to see how this CR reacts to the thaw. I imagine all the tie-downs will be loose. Ron and I talked on the phone about replacing this CR with an ASF Ring-based Reflector after things thaw out and dry up.

NISAR N02A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N02A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N02A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N02A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N02A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing

N03A
In April we found the AZ to be 332° a discrepancy of 2° or 1° with the -1° bias. The inclination was 18°. The tiedown holding the ring base was taught.

NISAR N03A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N03A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N03A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing

N31A
In April, we found the CR to still be in great shape with an AZ of 331°, a discrepancy of 1° or spot on with the -1° bias. The inclination was 17°.

NISAR N31A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
NISAR N31A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N31A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N31A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing

N32A
On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, we visited the NISAR corner reflectors in Delta Junction, and on April 19, 2024, we visited Quist farm. We took pictures, checked/readjusted the tie-downs, measured the pointing angles and inclinations, and for the first time, we didn’t have to remove snow from the reflectors! I have attached an Excel spreadsheet showing the expected azimuth and inclinations for each corner reflector, along with the actual measurements we took. Your work comparing our Bruton Compasses reveals a -1° bias. That bias is reflected in a separate column in the spreadsheet. There is a tab at the bottom for each monthly inspection. I have also attached pictures from each location and have a few more upon request. The declination on our compass was set at 16°.

NISAR N32A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
NISAR N32A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N32A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing
 
 
NISAR N32A elevated at 15 degrees, West facing