Skip Navigation Linksweather.gov   
NOAA logo - Click to go to the NOAA homepage National Weather Service Forecast Office   NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS homepage
National Weather Service Binghamton, New York
Left nav bar  
 


Local forecast by
"City, St" or Zip Code

NWS Radar at Binghamton, NY Repaired

The Binghamton National Weather Service radar experienced a major hardware failure. The failure of the azimuthal bull gear resulted from natural wear and tear from over 15 years of use.

Repair of this part normally takes about 10 days. The National Weather Service worked at record speed to repair the problem and had the radar operating again on September 6th, 2008.

The bull gear is a primary component for spinning the radar. This is located in the radar pedestal (see image below). In order for this to be replace the entire antenna assembly will have to be lifted to get at the bull gear. The tower is about 82 feet and the dome adds 35 feet to an over height from ground to top of dome of about 117 feet. All equipment and parts will be lifted into the dome via a winch.

Status reports about the radar can be found HERE.

Below are some image of the NWS Binghamton, NY radar site. Click on the image for a larger view.

Motors to lift the radar antenna and counter weights. The antenna and counter weights are just over 4000 pounds.
Motors to lift the radar antenna and counter weights. The antenna and counter weights are just over 4000 pounds.
Separating and bull gear starting to become visible.
Separating and bull gear starting to become visible.
Just a little higher.
Just a little higher.
Damaged bull gear exposed.
Damaged bull gear exposed.
Old bull gear.
Old bull gear.
New bull gear.
New bull gear.
Radar's pedestal. Note the jacks on either side. Not shown there, there are two winches above the pedestal.
Radar's pedestal. Note the jacks on either side. Not shown there, there are two winches above the pedestal. Taken 09.04.2008
This is a composite image showing where the separation will occur. The antenna will be lift and separation will occur where the blue collar is shown. The black things that you see are dead bugs.
This is a composite image showing where the separation will occur. The antenna will be lift and separation will occur where the blue collar is shown. The black things that you see are dead bugs. Taken 09.04.2008
Some of the equipment at the base of the radar.
Some of the equipment at the base of the radar. Taken 09.04.2008
View of the NWS Binghamton, NY radar, KBGM.
View of the NWS Binghamton, NY radar, KBGM. Taken 09.02.2008.
View of from the bottom of the radar tower to the base of the radar dome.
View of from the bottom of the radar tower to the base of the radar dome. The dark square in the middle of the picture is where parts and equipment will be lifted through. Taken 09.02.2008.
View of the Binghamton Regional Airport from just below the radar dome.
View of the Binghamton Regional Airport from just below the radar dome. Taken 09.02.2008.


Adjacent NWS radars in the area include...

Click to view the Albany, NY Radar.
Albany, NY
Click to view the Buffalo, NY Radar.
Buffalo, NY
Click to view the Montague, NY Radar.
Montague, NY
Click to view the PHI, PA Radar.
Mt. Holly, NJ
Click to view the New York City Radar.
New York City
Click to view the Pittsburg, PA Radar.
Pittsburg, PA
Click to view the State College, PA Radar.
State College, PA
Click to view the Northeast.
Northeast


Text links to radars...
National Weather Service
Binghamton Weather Forecast Office
32 Dawes Drive
Johnson City, NY 13790
(607) 729-1597
Page last modified: September 8, 2008 		Disclaimer
Information Quality
Credits
Glossary
 Privacy Policy
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
About Us
Career Opportunities