EISCAT: An updated description of technical characteristics and operational capabilities

This paper describes the European Incoherent Scatter Installations in North Scandinavia. Technical characteristics are given and the procedures designed for preparing and running experiments are outlined. Features of a set of adopted standard programmes and the method of data analysis are sketched along with the principles established for allocating observing time. The paper briefly reviews the operation of the facility so far and presents some results which underline the experimental capability of the system.