The radiosonde is a meteorological instrument which is hung from a balloon released into the atmosphere. As the balloon goes up the radiosonde records air pressure, temperature and relative humidity and sends this information back to earth via radio waves.

Introduced in 1981 by the Finnish company Vaisala, the RS80 represents a major shift in the design of the Radiosonde. It was lighter and much smaller than previous versions and required no assembly or calibration before launch. Its size also meant smaller balloons could be used which were not only more economical they were also less of an air safety risk.

It enabled a new sampling rate of eight samples per ten seconds for each parameter. The entire transducer is welded into a solid state block eliminating all mechanical friction and adjustment, while the new transmitter and water active battery were smaller and lighter than previous models. The entire device is packed into a hermetically sealed metal foil bag to protect it against moisture.

This instrument is significant because it represents a major shift in the design and use of meteorological instruments in Australia. It is also significant for its pioneering role the history of the radiosonde and the gathering of meteorological information.

Geoff Barker, Assistant Curator, October 2007

References
Sirola, R., Vaisala News, number 92, Vaisala Finland, 1981, p.3
Tideman, B., Handbook for the AWA Radiosonde, attached letter to Powerhouse Museum Blue File, 1992

The radiosonde is a meteorological instrument which is hung from a balloon which is released into the atmosphere. As the balloon goes up the radiosonde records air pressure, temperature and relative humidity and sends this information back to earth via radio waves.

In 1943 Radiosondes based on a design by Diamond-Hinman were first introduced to Australia. These were a part of the war effort's attempts to predict and measure weather systems. This design remained relatively unchanged for the next forty years although in 1945 the first Australian made instruments were introduced by Radio Corporation Ltd under the ASTOR label.

In 1947 Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Ltd, (AWA), began to make small numbers and in 1959 were able to expand production after the introduction of six new stations.

A major shift in the design of the Radiosonde came about in 1981 with the introduction of the Vaisala RS80. Made in Finland it was much smaller than previous versions and required no assembly or calibration before launch. Small balloons made them more economical and also less of an air safety risk.

In 1990 a personal computer-based radiosonde computation system was introduced, enabling the meteorological data to be automatically updated rather than be done manually.

Nowadays balloons are sent up twice a day and midnight and midday from stations around the world. They record their information until they are 30 kilometres above sea level when air pressure causes the balloon to burst. The information they collect (ROAB) is collated and transmitted to National Meteorological Centres, often within a matter of hours to aid in weather predictions.

References
Tideman, B., The Radiosonde in Australia, attached letter to Powerhouse Museum Blue File, 1992
Vaisala News, number 92, Vaisala Finland, 1981
Hopkins, E. J., 'Radiosonde's; an Upper Air Probe', 1996, cited in http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~hopkins/wx-inst/wxi-raob.htm, October, 2007

In 1943 Radiosondes based on a design by Diamond-Hinman were first introduced to Australia. These were a part of the war effort's attempts to predict and measure weather systems. This design remained relatively unchanged for the next forty years although in 1945 the first Australian made instruments were introduced by Radio Corporation Ltd under the ASTOR label.

In 1947 Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Ltd, (AWA), began to make small numbers and in 1959 were able to expand production after the introduction of six new stations.

A major shift in the design of the Radiosonde came about in 1981 with the introduction of the Vaisala RS80. Made in Finland it was much smaller than previous versions and required no assembly or calibration before launch. Small balloons made them more economical and also less of an air safety risk.

In 1990 a personal computer-based radiosonde computation system was introduced, enabling the meteorological data to be automatically updated rather than be done manually.

Nowadays balloons are sent up twice a day and midnight and midday from stations around the world. They record their information until they are 30 kilometres above sea level when air pressure causes the balloon to burst. The information they collect (ROAB) is collated and transmitted to National Meteorological Centres, often within a matter of hours to aid in weather predictions.

References
Tideman, B., The Radiosonde in Australia, attached letter to Powerhouse Museum Blue File, 1992
Vaisala News, number 92, Vaisala Finland, 1981
Hopkins, E. J., 'Radiosonde's; an Upper Air Probe', 1996, cited in http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~hopkins/wx-inst/wxi-raob.htm, October, 2007

Radiosonde, RS80, paper / plastic / Styrofoam / metal, made by Vaisala Oy, Helsinki, Finland, 1988-1992

A radiosonde consisting of a Styrofoam box containing electronic components. A removable piece of foam covers the battery compartment. The Styrofoam box is contained within a blue cardboard box. A metal strip containing the temperature and humidity sensors can be seen protruding from one side of the box. Also protruding from the box is an antenna with a blue plastic coating. Attached to the top of the top of the box is white cord wrapped around a blue plastic winder. With the radiosonde is a bag of anti moisture beads, a strip of punched tape providing calibration information, a battery enclosed in gold foil and the original gold foil packaging for the radiosonde.

Made: Vaisala; Finland; 1988 - 1992


Owned: Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology; Australia; 1988 - 1992

See part records.

92/415

1988 - 1992

180 mm

90 mm

60 mm