The chemical amplifier for atmospheric peroxy radical measurements, first described in the early 1980s has been improved relative to these earlier reports. The details of the instrument and a new radical calibration procedure are discussed as they relate to participation in a field study in the southeastern United States in the summer of 1990. The theoretical behavior of the chemical amplifier is also examined with the use of analytical solutions to the relevant kinetic equations as well as with a numerical model. Several issues of atmospheric relevance are addressed including the response of the instrument to organic peroxy radicals, interferences from PAN and peroxynitric acid, accuracy, precision, and detection limits studied through a number of laboratory and field investigations. Some new findings realized since the summer of 1990 are also included.