[Acoustics] horizontal ADCP's

[David WILLIAMS]

Dear Acoustics Users,
 
We are in the process of deciding whether to use the RDI Channel master (both 600 and 1200 kHz) or Sontek (500 and 1500). I have only had experience with the 1200 RDI CM. The RDI H-ADCP software seems to be ok albeit a few bugs like the latest version 4 software doesn't fit on the screen properly and can't be resized. The Channel master does not come with any Index velocity correlation software.
 
The Sontek software ViewArgonaut seems to be Ok and Sontek bundle the index velocity software as a package.
 
The Channel master can profile more bins and return quicker ensemble times than the Sontek but I'm not sure if this is a major advantage. Both units seem responsive to small changes in velocity.
 
The main use of the H-ADCP is to measure flows in uni directional rivers via velocity index methods but occasionally we'd like to update the capture rate to look at velocity variance and a sort of psuedo turbulence. I have in the past been able to determine the passage of sand waves in the velcocity variation data (using an RDI channel master, averaging over 2 minutes recording every 10 minutes).
 
One of the disadvantages of the Channel master that I can see is that the internal recorder can only be used in loop mode and for remote stations not easily visited regularly this has resulted in some overwritten data. The Sontek had a linear internal data recorder.
 
It is our intention to eventually install a Horizontal ADCP at all gauging stations over the next few years. The instruments will be connected via SDI-12 to a data logger and telemetred. Data will also be recorded internally an downloaded during site visits.
 
If anyone has any pros and cons of Horizontal acoustic profilers then I would be very appreciative of hearing of your experiences.
 
with kindest regards
 
David Williams
River, Estuarine and Coastal Hydrology 
Land and Water Division 
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts 
Palmerston NT 
Australia 
http://www.nreta.nt.gov.au/whatwedo.html 
phone (+61) 8 8999 3694 
e-mail: david.williams at nt.gov.au

 
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