Note: A thermally stable tension meter for atmospheric soundings using kites

Kites offer considerable potential as wind speed sensors--a role distinct from their traditional use as instrument-carrying platforms. In the sensor role, wind speed is measured by kite-line tension. A kite tether line tension meter is described here, using strain gauges mounted on an aluminum ring in a Wheatstone bridge electronic circuit. It exhibits a linear response to tension (19.5 mV N(-1)) with good thermal stability (mean drift of -0.18 N degrees C(-1) over 5-45 degrees C temperature range) and a rapid time response (0.2 s or better). Field comparisons of tether line tension for a Rokkaku kite with a fixed tower sonic anemometer show an approximately linear tension-wind speed relationship over the range 1-6 ms(-1).