Standard Check List

To avoid further potential problems, the following procedure should be followed as closely as possible to get started.

• Start OBS, select the program source and the program frequency, then type LOAD and immediately after MICRO. This is normally done by the recommended PR:Name.OBS setup procedure, for project ``Name''.
• Tune the receivers.
• In parallel, you may initialize the antennas and subreflectors if not done, open the central hub, etc... When antennas have been initialized, select a strong continuum source to check pointing, type LOAD.
• As soon as receiver are tuned, use a CALIBRATE procedure (in INTER mode). All receiver temperatures should be reasonable.
• Make an BANDPASS procedure to calibrate the IF passband characteristic. Look at the result using CLIC. This checks the spectral correlator up to a certain point. If anything is unusual, notify the maintenance staff.
• Select a strong line source (for that frequency, see catalog of strong line sources), and use an ONOFF procedure. Line should be detected in all antennas.
• Select a strong continuum point source to determine delays on all antennas if unknown.
• Make a POINT on that source. All antennas should be pointed.
• Eventually send the phase calibrator used for your program source, and start interferometry. Phases on AFF should be constant.