Message 3/446 Pablo de Vicente Oct 11, 2000 02:30:45 pm +0200 Reply-To: vicente@oan.es Organization: Observatorio Astronomico Nacional To: Exploder for EVN Techies Subject: EVNtech: Yebes report for the TOG Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 14:30:45 +0200 Sender: owner-evntech@jb.man.ac.uk Precedence: bulk X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by newton.astro.uni.torun.pl id OAA05339 Yebes station report ===================== VLBA4 status: The Mark 4 formatter is being used without noticeble problem since 18 months. We no longer use the VLBA formatter since we detected severe problems with the data sampling. The installation of all electronics and cables for a second headstack has not been performed yet. We received all material last summer and probably we will proceed with the installation by November/December. Local Software: Local data relevant to the VLBI observations (meteorological values and maser GPS comparison) are logged by an independent machine which is queried by the VLBI FS computer through the LAN using sockets. This new design is more modular and allows remote control and monitoring of these parameters independently of the FS computer. The logs from these data are also available through the web and the data from the GPS maser comparison is transferred to the evn daily by an automatic procedure. There are no other news concerning the VLBI equipment or development of local software since we have heavy duties related to the construction of the new RT of 40m. ICN workplan. ============= The "Centro Nacional de Informacion Geografica" intends to contract a company or individual with technical skills to help sustained reliable operation of our 14 meter radiotelescope at OAN-Yebes (Guadalajara, Spain) into the VLBI observational campaigns for the European VLBI Network. The main duties of such person will be: 1) Ensure a smooth transition between regular single-dish observations and VLBI experiments with the radiotelescope, in particular, checking the hardware and software setups, observing schedules, observing modes, and logistics. In order to do so, several aspects of the operations need to be upgraded and brought into automatic computer control. In this respect, a replacement for the telescope control computer is being developed; the person contracted will help in its implementation. 2) Improvement of the station noise measurements, providing the accurate information needed for proper calibration of the collected data. This can be done by preparing a collection of software procedures, optimized for each different observing setup. A follow up of schedule and procedures will be needed to ensure compatibility at all times. 3) Improvement of the telescope pointing model, by performing the necesary observations and calculations. Implementation of the upgraded model for its use during the observational campaigns. 4) Design of a system or method for optimal change of the subreflector, needed to switch frequencies during the observations, that provides minimum time and maximum security for people and materials. 5) Assistance to the telescope operators during the VLBI observations, providing technical support and fast solutions to the problems that may be encountered. -- ________________________________________________________ Pablo de Vicente (vicente@oan.es), http://www.oan.es, OAN Spain