Equation 12: WSR-88D Range Height

 

H = SR*sin PHI + (SR*SR)/(2*IR*RE)

Where:

H = height of the beam centerline above radar level in km
SR = slant range in km
PHI = angle of elevation in degrees
IR = refractive index, 1.21
RE = radius of earth, 6371 km

This is the calculation for beam center height used by the WSR-88D.