The Recreational Aviation Foundation grant funds a solar-powered remote weather station at Salt Valley Springs Airport in the remote Salt Valley of Death Valley National Park, commonly known as the Chicken Belt.
California Air Force communications officer Katerina Barilova is concerned about the coming weather in Tonopah, Nevada, 82 nautical miles from the gravel airport.
To provide pilots with accurate information so they can make more informed decisions, Barilov received a foundation grant to install an APRS solar-powered remote weather radio station on the Chicken Strip.
“This experimental weather station will transmit data on dew point, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure and temperature via VHF radio to the Internet in real time, without relying on mobile phones, satellites or Wi-Fi connections,” Barilov said.
Barilov said the area’s extreme geology, with 12,000-foot peaks in the west rising 1,360 feet above sea level, has created severe weather conditions that could cause severe weather. Extreme temperature changes caused by the day’s heat can cause wind gusts exceeding 25 knots, she said.
After receiving approval from park superintendent Mike Reynolds, Barilov and California Air Force spokesman Rick Lach will host the camp during the first week of June. With assistance, will begin installing a weather station.
Given time for testing and licensing, Barilov expects the system to be fully operational by the end of 2024.
Post time: Jun-07-2024