Manual

User's Guide ______________________________________________________________________
16 __________________________________________________________________ M210295EN-H
Preparing the Balloon and Optional Sounding
Accessories
The balloon and the optional sounding accessories must be prepared
before connecting the radiosonde battery and thereby activating the
radiosonde. This is necessary because the radiosonde should be
launched within 15 minutes of battery connection.
Balloon Preparation
Follow these steps to prepare the balloon:
1. Load weights that are needed to obtain the required lift onto the gas
nozzle.
0705-020
Figure 2 Loading Weights onto the Gas Nozzle
WARNING
Read the safety instructions in Appendix A before proceeding.
Normally the balloon-lifting gas (hydrogen or helium) is supplied in
gas bottles, but hydrogen can also be produced with a hydrogen
generator. Carefully study the operation and safety instructions for the
gas bottle facilities or the hydrogen generator.
Take extreme caution when handling the inflated balloon.
WARNING
It is recommended that the balloon be prepared in a balloon-filling
shed. The balloon-filling shed must be well ventilated so that possible
gas leaks do not remain inside the shed, even in situations when there
is no electricity.