HOMS COMPONENT

CATALOGUE OF METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS

1.   Purpose and objectives

     To provide information on performance characteristics and technical specifications of surface-based meteorological instrumentation in order to allow the best selection to meet stated requirements.

2.   Description

     Many meteorological instruments in operational use today are obtained commercially and not built anymore by National Meteorological Services (NMSs). To facilitate their procurement process, WMO Members required a comprehensive overview of the current availability of instruments and equipment. In this regard it was also important that technical data be presented in a standardized format to enable users to easily compare the basic specifications of instruments provided by different manufacturers and suppliers. 

     The twelfth session of the Commission of Instruments and Methods of Observation of WMO (CIMO-XII, Casablanca, May 1998) considered these requirements and agreed to establish an Instrument Catalogue. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) kindly offered to develop the Catalogue based on the recommendations agreed upon by CIMO-XII. The information received from some 80 instrument manufacturers and suppliers is presentedon a CD-ROM.

3.   Input

     Not applicable.

4.   Output

     Not applicable.

5.   Operational requirements and restrictions

     Hardware requirements for operation of the CD-ROM: 

     Intel Pentium II CPU (Compatible)
     64 Mbytes RAM
     200 Mbytes free hard disk space

     Software requirements for operation of the CD-ROM: 

     Windows 98 (Windows 95 can be used if PWS 4.0 is available)
     Personal Web Server 4.0 (PWS)
     Internet Explorer 5.0 (or later version)

     More detailed information on installation and operation will be delivered with the CD-ROM.

6.   Form of presentation

     The Catalogue is available on CD-ROM format only. The information on suppliers, on their products, as well as on the technical details of the instruments and equipment, is presented in a standard format for all entries. This presentation significantly facilitates the use of the Catalogue.

7.   Operational experience

     This first edition of the Instrument Catalogue mainly contains data related to meteorological equipment. Efforts will be undertaken to have a better representation of hydrological equipment in its next updated edition. The CD-ROM is user-friendly, making the practical work with the Catalogue very easy.

8.   Originator and technical support

     The information on addresses of manufacturers as well as the technical data on sensors, instruments, and equipment presented in the Instrument Catalogue was provided by the manufacturers and suppliers concerned directly to CMA, i.e. WMO was not involved in this process. Neither CMA nor 
WMO can take any responsibility regarding the correctness of the data presented within the Instrument Catalogue. The inclusion or otherwise of any instrument/equipment in this Catalogue does not engage the responsibility of WMO, its Members, or their Meteorological Services as to the suitability or reliability of the instrument/equipment.

9.   Availability

     The Instrument Catalogue can be received from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) only. Orders have to be addressed to:

     Mr Lu Wenhua
     Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences
     China Meteorological Administration
     No. 46, Zhongguancun Nandajie
     Haidian District
     Beijing 100081
     China
     Tel: (+86 10) 6840 8949
     Fax: (+86 10) 6840 6866
     E-mail: LWH@cams.cma.gov.cn 
        

     It should be noted that each NMS should already have received a copy of the Instrument Catalogue free of charge.

10.  Conditions on use

     The Catalogue is for sale. The approximate cost is 50 US$ per CD-ROM which includes shipping and any other costs.

Last updated: 26 MAR 01)
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