Comparison of simultaneous wind measurements using collocated VHF meteor radar and MF spaced antenna radar systems

Comparisons of wind velocities at heights from 80 to 98 km have been made using two different techniques. The first method involves the determination of winds using meteor drifts (e.g., Avery et al., 1990; Stubbs, 1973). This was done by observing meteors using the University of Adelaide VHF radar situated approximately 40 km north of Adelaide, Australia, at Buckland Park. The second method used to determine winds was the spaced antenna technique (e.g., Briggs, 1984) using an MF radar at the same site. The two radar systems are independent, the VHF radar operating at 54.1 MHz and the MF radar at 1.98 MHz. The spatial separation of the two radars is approximately 600 m. Simultaneous data obtained from September 10 to 20, 1993, are presented here. The agreement between the two techniques is good below 90 km, while above 90 km we find that the spaced antenna technique yields smaller wind speeds than the meteor drift technique. Several possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed. Copyright 1995 by the American Geophysical Union