  In the analysis of broad absorption line (BAL) quasar spectra, Keck HIRES
spectra are a useful complement to lower resolution HST and ground based
spectra. The HIRES spectra provide accurate parameters for narrow, intervening
type absorption systems including Lyman limit systems and a direct measurement
of the smoothness of BAL features. The smoothness of the troughs is related to
the number of "clouds" in the BAL region if the BAL region consists of clouds.
The HIRES spectra, especially for z approx. 2 quasars, are also a source of
high quality absorption templates. All of the BAL features are apparently
resolved in the high resolution spectra (R approx. 45 000), while low
resolution (R approx. 1000) spectra do not always resolve features belonging to
the outflow.
