A low cost microwave transmitter-receiver link for measuring the integrated water vapor

The measure of water vapor (WV) in the lowest part of the troposphere is a critical issue which, up to now, cannot be measured from space with sufficient accuracy. A novel technique, which is based on a microwave radio link and the measure of differential attenuation of two signals transmitted at closely spaced frequencies in the Ku-K band, has been recently proposed. In order to prove the potential of this technique a new low-cost microwave link has been designed and the first measurements will be performed by means of a ground-to-ground link. Instrument design and characteristics, as well as expected results are presented here.