TRACER-LMA

Enhancements to Houston LMA for TRACER

1 June 2022 - 30 September 2022

Lead Scientist: Marcus van Lier-Walqui

Observatory: AMF

During the TRACER field campaign’s intensive operational period (IOP) period, the project team will deploy two additional Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) sensors from Texas Tech University’s mobile laboratory vehicle. These sensors, which are receivers in the VHF radio band, will supplement and extend the coverage area of the Houston LMA (HLMA). Each sensor is fully independent, including communications and power. The deployment locations will be chosen to extend HLMA coverage and optimize detection efficiency in the area with the best combination of research radar coverage, noise floor, and likelihood of storms based on each morning’s forecast. The stations will be relocated each day based on the forecast for the IOP. The raw data files from each station will be synthesized with the HLMA and provided as part of the campaign data archive.