Hi Norman,

I've inserted answers to your questions just below each one as follow:
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Norman.Hall@noaa.gov [mailto:Norman.Hall@noaa.gov] 
Sent: Friday, 20 April 2007 08:31
To: Jankowska, Krystyna MS
Cc: Melanie Hamilton; Charles Sun
Subject: Re: AODC XBT XML files

Krystyna --

I have been analyzing the probe and recorder type information in the
AODC XML files and have a couple of questions.

(Question 1)
In two zip files (AODC_2006_XBTsubmission.zip,
AODC_2007_XBTsubmission.zip) I find 4253 stations with the following
Sensor model information:

"Mk12 Deep Blue"  148
"Mk12 T-10"       645
"Mk12 T-4"       2570
"Mk12 T-5"        203
"Mk12 T-6"        431
"Mk12 T-7"        180
"T-10"             74
"T-4"               2
                 ----
TOTAL            4253

Question: Is the recorder type known for the 74 "T-10" and the
2 "T-4" stations? (These are located in files 06017ML_1.xml and
06017ML_3.xml, from zip file AODC_2007_XBTsubmission.zip). I note that
the parameter name for the flags is still given as "XBT-Mk12-DODC1.0
Flags" for these stations.  Can we assume that a Mk12 recorder was used
for all stations?

ANSWER: The recorder type for these 74 "T-10" and 2 "T-4" stations is
Mk21 not Mk12.

(Question 2)
The following table shows the probe types, and the fall rate information
you provided in your email. I have added the counts of the probe types
from all the files from the two accessions, and the PEQ$ field (WMO code
for the type and fall rate equation,
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/PRODIP/document/codetbls/wmocode.htm#tbl1770),
plus our PRT$ field (a short standardized but human-readable code for
the probe type), and the DPC$ code (fall rate correction status, see
table below).

TYPE       COUNT MFR      A       B          PEQ$    PRT$        DPC$
---------  ----  -------- -----   --------   ---     ----------  --
T-4        2572  Sippican 6.691,  -0.00225   002     'SIP T-04'  02
T-5         203  Sippican 6.828,  -0.00182   011     'SIP T-05'  02
T-6         431  Sippican 6.472,  -0.00216   031 (!) 'SIP T-06'  01
T-7         180  Sippican 6.691,  -0.00225   042     'SIP T-07'  02
T-10        719  Sippican 6.301,  -0.00216   061     'SIP T-10'  02
Deep Blue   148  Sippican 6.691,  -0.00225   052     'SIP T-DB'  02
TOTAL      4253

'DPC$' code:
01 = Known XBT Probe Type, Needs Correction
02 = Known XBT Probe Type, No Correction
03 = Unknown XBT Probe Type, Not enough information, leave alone
04 = Known XBT Probe Type, Correction done
05 = Unknown XBT Probe Type, Correction done

Question: Is the "old" uncorrected drop formula really the one used for
the T-6 type probes, as is indicated by comparing your values with those
in our reference document (see WMO document URL given above)?

ANSWER: The T-6 probe type have been used only by New Zealand Navy and
it seems they're using incorrect old drop formula. I will try to inform
them about this but it may not guarantee implementation.

I will be away next week but after that let me know if there is anything
else I can help.

Thanks, Krystyna
