Melting layer attenuation at 28.6 GHz from simultaneous comstar beacon and polarisation diversity radar data

Attenuation data at 28.6 GHz obtained from measurements of the Comstar beacon show that, for moderate rain, slant path attenuation may significantly exceed that calculated from simultaneous radar reflectivity measurements. Polarisation diversity radar data were used for positive identification of the rain and the melting layer, and for estimating the rain attenuation along the path. These results indicate that the melting layer attenuation is significant.