Checklist 1: How to Start an Observation

Do these steps in order. Refer to the Starting Observations section for a detailed explanation of these steps.

• Create schedule file(s) and write them to $ATCA_SCHED (SCHED$>$write)
• Print a listing of your schedule file
• Find out how much disk space is free (CAMON$>$/status)
• Work out how much disk space you will need. Is there enough?
• Are all antennas currently operational in your observing band? (check on the white board)
• Is CACOR running? (displayed on PERICLES)
• Is CAOBS running? (displayed on PERICLES)
• Enter CAOBS$>$enable auto (enables automatic attenuator setting)
• Enter CAOBS$>$show status to return to the CAOBS standard page
• Is the LO-tr field on CAOBS set to ON?
• Is the Correlator Data Display (SPD) running? (on PERICLES)
• Are VIS, CAMON and ASSISTANCE running? (on PERICLES)
• Load schedule file into CAOBS (CAOBS$>$set file)
• Check that the configuration file is correct (Top right hand corner of CACOR display)
• Go to 1934$-$638 or your other primary calibrator (CAOBS$>$track n)
• Check the attenuators and GTPs on CAMON (/samp page; wait until they settle down)
• Check for the interference. (Best seen in short baselines amplitude displays in SPD)
• Does VIS show reasonable delays, phases and gains (especially stable delays)?
• Calibrate the array with CACAL
• Check the lag spectrum
• Enter CAOBS$>$stop to stop tracking
• Enter CAOBS$>$corr closefile to close the file
• Observe 1934$-$638 or your primary calibrator for $\sim$5 minutes to get good calibration data
• You will have to repeat primary calibrator observations for each observing frequency

• Start your first scan with an optional multiple repeat