Field test of mobile solid state X-band radar in central Europe

During the summer and autumn of 2025, we conducted an extensive field testing campaign of a newly developed mobile solid-state X-band weather radar system by Meteopress, with the primary aim of evaluating its capabilities in a variety of Central European meteorological and geographic environments. The radar is designed for portability and flexibility, incorporating a 1.2-meter parabolic antenna and a low-power solid-state transmitter. The entire system is mounted on the bed of a standard pickup truck, enabling rapid deployment, minimal logistical requirements, autonomous operation, and adaptable scanning strategies. These features make it particularly well-suited for short-term field missions, mobile nowcasting support, and targeted atmospheric research campaigns.
The campaign focused on collecting high-resolution radar data during a wide range of weather scenarios, with a special emphasis on convective storms. Over the course of several months, the radar was deployed to numerous locations, primarily across Czechia,  where we had a licence for using the radat in the whole country. Locations include both flat lowland areas and regions with more complex terrain such as hills and valleys. Deployments were guided by real-time weather forecasts and were timed to intercept developing thunderstorms. In addition to convective events, the radar also observed episodes of stratiform precipitation, providing opportunities to assess its sensitivity and performance in lower-intensity rainfall situations.