Development of a cheap, GPS-based, radio-tracked, surface drifter for closed shallow-water bays

This paper describes the development of an inexpensive (/spl sim/$500), GPS-based, radio-tracked, surface-drifter system designed to operate within a closed shallow water bay. Texas bays and estuaries are generally shallow, weather/event driven, complex non-linear systems. In spite of the amount of activity that occurs within the bays, very little real-time information is collected. The Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science (CBI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is working toward better understanding of these bays by operating a pair of SeaSonde/spl trade/ HF Radar units within Corpus Christi Bay. This experience has shown the need for a specialized drifter that can be used in conjunction with the HF Radar operation and other bay research activities.