Observations of radome transmission losses at 5 cm wavelengths

Two methods were used to investigate wet randome transmission losses for two C-band Doppler radars. The first method compares PPI average radar reflectivities with rainfall rates measured at the radar. The assumption being that the average reflectivity of all targets about the radar is constant or changes slowly and any significant variations from this will be a result of attenuation by water on the radome. The second method compares radar signal returns from a ground target before, during, and after the radome was sprayed with water from a hose. It is concluded that there is an additional 3 to 4 dB radar system loss for the radars when the antenna is pointing vertically compared to horizontally.