II
Preface to the First Edition
Like all aspects of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network, this manual is in its infancy. The ideas contained
within may be new to many, but have been applied successfully at various locations throughout the globe.
On the one hand this indicates that these concepts should be considered seriously before being rejected, but
on the other hand there may be some that are unworkable because of various climatic or operational factors.
I would encourage all those using this manual not to reject any procedures without first carefully attempting
to put them into operation. There is an anecdote within the meteorological community that must be overcome
if the operation of the BSRN is to be successful. The question is asked, “How long does it take for a new
instrument to be accepted as operational?” The answer, “One generation of meteorologists.” Let this not be
the case within the BSRN!
Some instructions or ideas within the manual may be unclear. If this is the case, I would appreciate having
these reported to me as quickly as possible. I believe that everyone who has ever written step-by-step
instructions has fallen into the trap of missing a step, or assuming too much. I would encourage scientists and
technicians alike who use this manual to also apply “common sense” to the problem to overcome any
omissions that I may have made.
Although the WMO allowed me a significant amount of travel and opportunity to observe how various stations
were operated, I am sure that excellent ideas have been missed within this first version of the manual, even
with the significant help of those who reviewed it at the BSRN meeting in August 1996. Although only one
person can place ideas on paper (or its virtual counterparts), the contents of this manual must remain a group
effort if we are to build a radiation observing system of which we can be proud in our years of retirement. To
this end I encourage new ideas be brought forward and new areas suggested for inclusion in the next
revision.
As paper gives way to electronic publications, the idea of editorial revisions has changed substantially over
the last few years. Where once the second edition of a book might be expected a decade after the first
printing, our expectations have increased to seeing something new on the WEB every day. It is hoped that
minor revisions of the manual (clarifications etc.) can be put into place almost immediately and the revision
number of the electronic version of the manual altered to reflect any changes. Major revisions (e.g. new
sections) will obviously be less frequent, but will come out not only electronically, but also as a new printed
manual.
Finally, and again, this manual will improve with the feedback of the users. I urge anyone to contact me with
any and all suggestions that might improve this manual..
Bruce McArthur
Experimental Studies Division
Atmospheric Environment Service
4905 Dufferin Street
Downsview, Ontario, CANADA
M3H 5T4
Telephone: 1 416 739 4464
Facsimile: 1 416 739 4281
Email: bruce.mcarthur@ec.gc.ca
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