[Acoustics] Call for latest acoustic deployment techniques

[Aub N Ward]

Hello,
What new types of acoustic deployment techniques, equipment mounts, field
computers, etc. are being used by hydrographers in the field today?  For
example, I've worked with tablet PC's making single-person tethered boat
measurements in some of our streams.  I'm always looking for ways to deploy
acoustics quicker, safer, cheaper, and with fewer personnel, if possible,
while maintaining focus on data quality.  What have you tried in your
district to improve the process of making ADCP or ADV measurements?  Your
improvement may be a modification you made to your boat, a telescoping pole
to get your tethered boat rope over a gage house and DCP antenna, an
addition to your wading rod to help you align your Flowtracker
perpendicular to your tagline, a push-cart to carry your trimaran from the
vehicle to the measurement location, a bluetooth communication improvement,
or a protective transportation container for your ADCP and communication
equipment.  Have you come up with a better way to mount Side- or Up-Looking
Doppler products? Please send me a brief description or picture of your
improvements, regardless of how simple or complex they seem.  I appreciate
your input.

I'm putting together a presentation on acoustic field applications for the
Central Region Data Conference and would like to know what other offices
and districts are using.

Thank you,

Aub N. Ward
U.S. Geological Survey-Water Resources Division
Louisiana District-Ruston Field Office
3095 W. California Ave.
Ruston, LA 71270
Phone:(318) 251-9630
Fax:(318) 251-0372