The radio refractive index can be measured either directly or indirectly. The former method is utilized by radio frequency refractometers; the latter method involves measurement of temperature, pressure and humidity and conversion to refractive index. In terms of convenience and accuracy the direct method is superior; however, lack of the universal use of refractometers requires the use of weather service type of data for the bulk of refractive index structures. Meteorological sensing is limited mainly by the inaccuracy in measuring humidity which under ideal conditions appears to limit the accuracy to 1.0 N. Gradient measurements utilizing radiosondes reflects an accuracy no better than £ 3 N units. Radio frequency refractometers are capable of accuracies as much as an order of magnitude better than that achieved by meteorological sensors. Lightweight refractometers have been devised for balloon-borne and dropsonde measurements reflecting accuracies inferior to the conventional refractometer but superior to the radiosonde.

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