A1946 program telecon                             notes by: mph
05 August 2004                                    updated 06Aug04

Attendees:
   Barbara Catinella, Riccardo Giovanelli, Martha Haynes, Lyle Hoffman,
   Brian Kent, Karen Masters, Emmanuel Momjian, Erik Muller,
   Jessica Rosenberg, Kristine Spekkens, Chris Springob, Steve Torchinsky

-- Steve reviewed the status of ALFA, currently being used for P-ALFA
   precursor observations. Discussion was focussed on issues raised
   by our "NAIC wish list memo" of 27 July:
   See:   http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/a1946q1.txt
    1. The replacement array rotation motor is being installed today so
       we can assume we can rotate the feed when we start.
    2. Simple tests to check that rotation works will be done; rfi tests
       (rfi generated by motor) will be done soon; in any event, 
       we will not be rotating the feed during data taking.
       There have not been tests (beam separation as f(rotangle))
       done in drift mode with the feed rotated; we'll be responsible
       for testing ourselves.
    3. CIMA has been updated for ALFA but still does not have the
       capabilities we have requested previously:
            a. Specify decl and lst start.
            b. Position telescope at Az,El
            c. Rotate feed appropriate for equal beam separation
               for that sky position.
            d. Begin drift at lst specified.
            e. Fire cal at specified interval without interrupting
               data taking.
            f. Close data file after specified interval and begin 
               new one with minimum interuption of data taking.
    4. We are responsible for calculating the position and rotation
       angle as input to CIMA for the drift mode.
    5. The on-the-fly noise diode firing will be implemented.
    6. The SDFITS files can be read into IDL and Erik's WAPRED
       routines can be run on them.
    
-- There was a discussion of Phil's memo regarding signal compression
   from the FAA radar.
   See:   http://www.naic.edu/~phil/mbeam/compression01aug04.html
   Steve suggested that we could use the radar blanker to avoid the
   radars. There was concern about the loss of time due to data blanking.

-- Riccardo reviewed the memos "Tentative Task List" and "Tentative
   Observing Plans". It was agreed to spend the galactic plane time
   on Aug 26-27th to test out the P-ALFA mode, since Trish Henning
   will be present. Otherwise, general plan endorsed.
   See:    http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/tasklist1.txt
           http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/a1946plan.txt

-- The basic data organization, bookkeeping  and processing plans, as put forward in
   recent memos, were endorsed.
   See:     http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/rg040702.pdf
            http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/memo040729.pdf
            http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/memo040804.pdf

-- Martha reviewed the choice of sky area. The choice put forth
   in the proposal was reaffirmed, based on its coverage of the N672
   group & HVC's. It was agreed that we will observe the declination strip
   +27 < Dec < +28 for all observing periods to maintain fixed telescope
   configuration at moderate zenith angle.

-- The strategy for multiple passes was reviewed. It was agreed
   that we will concentrate on the proposed 2 and 4 pass modes, as
   the location of the 2nd pass in a 2 pass strategy can be tested by
   examining results obtained with passes 2, 3 and 4, spaced as
   proposed in that memo.
   See:     http://www.astro.cornell.edu/~haynes/pre204/docs/memo040803.pdf

-- On-site observing commitments were made by:
   Riccardo    Aug 16 - Sep 06
   Martha      Aug 16 - Aug 31
   Lyle        Aug 17 - Aug 25
   Kristine    Aug 27 - Sep 06, Sep 20 - Sep 28
   Amelie      Sep 20 - Sep 28
   Jessica     Sep 20 - Sep 26
   Barbara, Emmanuel and Erik will be on-site and agree to cover
   the Sep 06, 8-10 time slots.

-- It was agreed that we will try to provide web updates to program
   status and data access during the run as best as we can. As usual,
   Martha's web site will be the location of this information.