For its first international field campaign, the second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2) is scheduled to operate on Gan Island in the Indian Ocean for the ARM Madden Julian Oscillation Investigation Experiment on Gan (AMIE-Gan). As described in this November 2010 Facility News article, AMIE is part of an international research effort to obtain measurements for studying the intraseasonal variability in the equatorial Indian Ocean into the western Pacific, using instruments on land, sea, and on aircraft. In February, AMF2 team members met with scientific colleagues in the Maldives to confirm site selections for various ground-based instruments and to discuss progress on logistics with local officials, particularly the Maldivian Meteorological Service (MMS)—the in-country host for the field studies.

Except for its scanning radar located at the Gan Island wharf, the rest of the AMF2 instruments will operate near the MMS offices at Gan airport. This siting strategy provides desirable overlap with MMS measurements and their personnel will be able to assist with AMF2 radiosonde launches if needed. However, because of all the tall buildings around the airport, the scanning radar was sited at the wharf. The wharf site also provides the needed separation from the AMF2 vertically pointing radar that will operate at the airport site.

Discussions began with representatives from the MMS office and Gan airport operations to review siting plans for AMF2 instrumentation at the airport. Instrument issues related to height restrictions were worked out and the current siting plans were approved. The MMS also expressed interest in opportunities for training their meteorological staff in advanced forecasting techniques during and after the project, as well as educational outreach opportunities for the Maldives educational institutions.

The team then visited the proposed radar locations at the wharf and decided to relocate the AMF2 radar to the far end of the wharf. This location allows for maximum possible distance (600 meters) between the ARM and NCAR radar and reduces the possibility for signal interference. All radars will have unblocked line-of-site for scanning over the vertically pointing Ka-band ARM zenith radar at the airport site. The team also discussed relocating the AMF2 eddy correlation flux instruments to the wharf site, as being near the sea side would likely provide more representative flux measurements than at the industrial airport location.

Discussions with the Ministry of Communications, other government officials, and local contractors covered a variety of logistics, including a list of frequencies for various instruments and radios; internet and phone communications; local data rates and requirements; wireless capabilities and firewalls; international calling rates; and local cell phone service and coverage. The team also identified a local freight handler to provide crane and container support for off loading and transport of the instruments and equipment, as well as local facilities such as hospitals, groceries, and gas stations.

Next steps will involve such items as securing access to power from nearby distribution facilities, security at all the sites, computer technical support, garbage removal, and transportation. They also plan to hold briefings with local police and regional military to inform them about the campaigns.