Precipitation scatter measurements at 17.8 GHz

For radar simulations to play an important role in investigating hydrometeor scattering, they have to be validated against experimental measurements. If this can be achieved, then an existing database can be used to evaluate interference for any arbitrary scatter configuration, without undue restrictions to its validity. The authors describe, and present some preliminary results from, such a comparative study made at 17.8 GHz. The bistatic measurements were made on a 48 km rain scatter link and the corresponding radar data were obtained using the 3 GHz dual-polarisation radar based at Chilbolton. They include the methodology and discuss various factors which need consideration in the evaluation of bistatic scatter