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Happy New Year from the CAL Staff Pictured (left to right): Stacy Henson, Lee Green, Chris Lehmann, Tracy Dombek, Nichole Samson, Matt Layden, Nina Gartman, Kim Attig, Jane Rothert, Tom Bergerhouse, Pam Bedient, Jeff Pribble Not Shown: Phyllis Ballard, Theresa Ingersoll, Brenda Riney, Angela Weddle Spring 2010 Operator’s Training Course – The NADP will hold its Spring 2010 Field Operations Training Course from 5 p.m. Sunday, April 18, through 5 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010. The course will precede the NADP Spring Subcommittee Meeting in Memphis, TN. Please see the enclosed memo for more information. Registration is requested by 2/15/2010. Contact Information – Included with this report is a detailed listing of individuals associated with your site based on our records. Please verify this information and send us any updates. New UPS Charges – Please note that UPS now charges $6 for each scheduled pickup. If you ship via UPS, you will need to either drop the samplers in a UPS shipping drop box, or deliver them to an approved UPS shipping location to avoid this fee.  For more information on UPS pickup fees, see http://www.ups.com/pickupoptions USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes – If you currently ship your samples via the U.S. Postal Service, you may save money by sending your samples priority mail. The cost to send a medium flat rate box (FRB1) is currently $10.70 ($10.20 if paid online). Simply place your NTN sample shipping box inside the flat rate box to ship the sample to the CAL. For more information, visit www.prioritymail.com Online Calendar - Reminders for sample changes, site maintenance, and CAL holidays are now available online at http://nadpweb2.sws.uiuc.edu/ops/cal/Lists/Calendar/calendar.aspx.     http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@isws.illinois.edu     Back to reminders

2/10 Reminder: Spring Training Course Registration – There are open slots remaining for the Spring 2010 Operator’s Training Course on April 18-19 in Memphis, TN.  For more information, contact the CAL or see http://go.illinois.edu/NADPTraining.  The NADP will provide two nights hotel stay, a reception Sunday night, breakfast and lunch on Monday, and up to $275 reimbursement toward travel expenses. Spring 2010 Operator Questionnaire – Site operators will receive a brief survey (colored insert) in this month’s mailing to help us evaluate the training materials provided by the NADP.  The feedback will help us update our operator training program. All operators are asked to complete the survey, whether or not they plan to attend the Spring 2010 Operator’s Training Course, and return it with their next NTN sample. Reminder: Keep Your Winterized Raingage Supplied with Antifreeze – Do not allow water in the raingage catch bucket to freeze solid. This will cause the bucket to crack and leak. Each week after precipitation has fallen, stir the antifreeze in the collection chamber to keep the solution mixed. Add additional antifreeze if the solution has become diluted, contains a slushy mixture, or is frozen. For Egage sites, make a note on the field form that antifreeze was added and the date and time that it was added. Also, add the same note in the e-mail when the data files are submitted. Additional Winterization Notes for Egages – Normally, the NOAH-IV EGAGE should be emptied by using a pump siphon. (Contact the CAL if you need a replacement siphon.)  If you must remove the catch bucket, be sure to keep the base clean of dirt and snow for it to properly engage in the load cell platform. Dropping the catch bucket onto the load cell, or chipping out ice while the catch bucket is installed will irreversibly damage the raingage load cell. Egage support documents are available online at http://go.illinois.edu/NADPEgage. Reminder: We need parts returned – The CAL has sent out many replacement parts recently.  We must have the replacement parts returned so that they can be repaired and returned to service. THANK YOU!   http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@isws.illinois.edu   Back to reminders 3/10 Would you like to receive this report electronically? – The CAL can send your preliminary data reports in PDF file format as an e-mail attachment. The PDF file is the same as the hard copy you currently receive. If you wish to receive electronic reports, please confirm that your e-mail address is correct as shown above, and contact us at cal@isws.illinois.edu Dry Sample Envelopes – As a reminder, on weeks with no precipitation, you can return your Field Observer Report Form (FORF) and Belfort raingage chart via U.S. mail.  The CAL provides preprinted return envelopes upon request. We’ve included one in this mailing for your convenience. Note: You must provide standard one ounce return postage. To request more envelopes, call 1-800-952-7353, e-mail ntn@isws.illinois.edu, or request them on your FORF. For instructions, see http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/cal/PDF/DrySampleEnvelope_Jan10.pdf Backup Raingage Data – If your primary raingage (Belfort or Egage) fails, the NADP permits reporting of backup data from any raingage within 30 m of the collector that is read daily, including stick gages, tipping buckets, and other recording raingages. If you indicate backup raingage data on the FORF, please note in the REMARKS section where the data originates. Reminder: Please return your 2010 Operator Questionnaire – Thanks to those site operators that returned the operator survey which was included with the February report.  The feedback will help us update our operator training programs.  If you have not yet returned your questionnaire, please complete it, and return it with your next sample..   http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@isws.illinois.edu   Back to reminders