Abstract:Due to the influence of the curve Earth, the fixed detection mode of the CINRAD/SA weather radar uses the minimum elevation angle of 0.5 °, so the blind area is relatively big, and the detection capability for low level precipitation echoes is limited. On the basis of experiments, the calculation formulas of the minimum height applicable when CINRAD/SA detects with positive and negative elevation angles are devised. Then the minimum detecting heights of CINRAD/SA at different distances with different elevation angles (0.5°, 0°, -0.3°,-0.5°) are calculated. Through analyzing characteristics of radar products detected under different elevation angles, some suggestions on CINRAD/SA about using negative elevation angles are presented.