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Annex G Sample log sheets
The primary reason for keeping a log of the activities about the station is to help in determining the
quality of the data. Until recently such logs were kept either by filling out forms on a daily basis or writing
information into a station log book. The former has a tendency to encourage the observer/technician
to record only those activities that are required by the sheet, while the latter is often used only for
extraordinary occurrences or events (e.g. the station was hit by a tornado), but not the routine activities
associated with the day-to-day operation of the observatory (e.g. cleaning the instruments). Whatever
form is used must be determined in concert with the observer so that the information required by the
scientist analysing the data can be easily discovered. Log sheets are essential in the rapid and accurate
quality assurance of solar radiation data.
Recently, with the development of sophisticated computer data acquisition programs, the normal log
sheet can be completed electronically. The advantage of such a form is that flags set by the data acquisition
system can be written to the log automatically. Electronic logs provide a means of directly and permanently
linking the data with a record of activities at the observatory. Care must be taken in the design of such
a log so that text can be easily added beyond the normal “check-off” information. Furthermore, no matter
how automated the site, it is essential to provide a forum for the technician responsible for the maintenance
of the instruments, etc. to note any abnormalities.
Most log sheets provide basic checks for the instruments, the trackers, the data acquisition system
and the clock. Many provide areas where the technician can insert the local temperature, cloud amount,
surface conditions, etc. The overall design should also encourage comments beyond the daily routine
information for which the sheet is designed.
The next three pages contain samples of log sheets which have been used successfully. Example
1 is from the University of Calgary, where the log was designed for the International Daylight Measurement
Program (only the radiation portion is reproduced). Example 2 is a log sheet developed by the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) network
of solar radiation stations. Example 3 is a former log sheet developed for the Canadian BSRN site.
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