GBT SETUP CHECKLIST

1. Prepare GO tables.
2. Prepare setup script, if any.

3. Monitor/Control (YGOR) systems ready.

4. Antenna ready.

5. Start GO

6. Run setup script or load CLEO restore file.

7. Enter user name, project ID, frequency and procedure in GO screen.
8. Setup the Scan Coordinator using GO.
9. Setup the back end using GO.

10. Verify that the IF/LO systems are set up as desired.

11. Set power levels in PF receiver, IFrack.

12. Check the back ends, balance levels.

13. Start IARDS

14. Start Observations.

1. GO Tables

 The GO table is the principal way of specifying a list of
   sources and coordinates to be observed.

   Examples of tables can be found in the directory: /home/astro-util/users

   For example, it may be instructive to look at the tables:
	example.obs 
	pulsar.obs 
 	calibrators.obs 

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Setup Scripts

Glish setup scripts:

 Create a script following the examples below.
  To run a script, type:

   $ source /home/gbt/gbt.bash   
   $ glish -l scriptname.g

  Examples of scripts:

  HI_setup.g   [21cm spectral line: position switching]
  HIfs_setup.g   [21cm spectral line: frequency switching]
  point_setup.g  [Pointing/continuum at 3.6 cm]
  H2O_setup.g  [H20 line double beam switched]
  OHsetup.g  [Four OH transitions, freq. switching]
     

CLEO save/restore:

   (refer to  Starting CLEO,  if necessary)
  
   TO SAVE the system configuration:
     From the CLEO launcher, select "Utilities/Tools-->SaveAllConfiguration"
     You will be asked to select the devices whose parameters you want to save.
     Select only the receivers and devices that you need.
     In general, do not include the antenna itself.

     Then give the file a name with a .tcf extension, and save it in
     the directory ~gbtops/Cleo_tcf 

   TO RESTORE a saved system configuration:
     From the CLEO launcher, select "Utilities/Tools-->LoadAllConfiguration"
     Find the save file, usually in the ~gbtops/Cleo_tcf directory,
     open it.  You then are asked to select the desired managers and
     click "Load".
 

Make sure all managers are "ON" before running scripts or restoring the CLEO state.
Many managers are put into the "standby" or "off" states when not in use. Make sure all the managers that are needed for the experiment are in the "on" state before starting to set them up. Note that the BCPM manager is a special case and must be turned on after the BCPM user interface is initialized.

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GBT Observing Interface (GO)

GO may be run on Linux or Solaris.  The computers marsha or victor are
recommended.

1. Versions.
 
Typically the stable version of AIPS++ is used although the correct
version is specified in the /home/gbt/gbt.bash file.  For the gbtops
account this file is automatically sourced when you login.

2. Start GO.  

Type in any terminal or xterm window:

% GO

Or if you need to deselect a device:

% GO T 


3. Debugging GO.


===> If GO "hangs-up" on the Antenna:

This is a glish race condition.  Try

% GO T n

where n is an integer number.  Sometimes several tries with different
numbers will be necessary.  Typically the number should be increased
on successive attempts.

A good first try is:

% GO T 10 


===> If "GO T" crashes on start-up:

This is almost always due to the fact that GO "remembers" the previous
"Observing Type" that you used and tries to startup in that mode
again.  When the device for that "Observing Type" hasn't been selected
then GO goes down in flames.  There are two work-arounds for this
problem (until GO can be debugged for this problem which is currently
at a low priority):

(i) Delete the "go_state" file and then restart GO.  This will bring
GO up in the default observing type of "Continuum".  This will work as
long as the DCR is selected.  This also causes GO to forget the
observers name and the log file name.

(ii) Start GO in its simulation mode using the following commands (bash
shell example)

% source /home/gbt/gbt.bash
% export GBT_SIMULATOR=T
% GO

Change the "Observing Type" to something that will be valid given the
devices that you will be de-selecting. Then exit GO.  Now start GO in
the real mode.

% unset GBT_SIMULATOR
% GO T

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Set up Scan Coordinator

Select "scan coordinator" from the "other panels" button
   on the GO screen.

Make sure the desired receiver and back end are included
   in the scan coordinator.

In general, the following devices should also be included:
   Antenna, LO1, IFManager, IFRack, ConverterRack,
   SwitchingSignalSelector, AnalogFilterRack,
   Measurements.

Set the first scan number.  This will be automatically
   incremented as each scan is observed.

Set up Back Ends

  In the main GO screen, select the Observing type, receiver,
  switch mode, and observing procedure.

  Set the observing frequency.

  Set the velocity definition and rest frame, if doing Doppler
    tracking.

  Bring up the screen from the "other panels" button for the
  specific back end, to set up additional options not available
  from the main GO screen.

Verify setups

  To verify that things are set up right, use various of the
  CLEO screens for the different devices:

  - IF Manager:
	This shows all the connections and filters in the path
	from the receiver to the back end.  Check that they 
	are as expected.
	In some cases it is necessary to select a different 
	cabling file -- beware!

  - LO1:
	Check that the sky frequency (F0) is right.

	The IF1 should be:
	    1080 MHz for prime focus receivers.
	    3000 MHz for receivers 1_2GHz, 4_6GHz, 8_10GHz, 12_18GHz
	    6000 MHz for receivers 2_3GHz, 18_26GHz.

	If doing Dopper tracking, check that the reference system
	and velocity definitions are right.

	If doing frequency switching, check the frequency offsets
	and switching mode is right.

	Check that the switches are set to connect the receiver to	
	    the LO.

  - Receiver CLEO screen:
	Check RF filters.
	Check Polarization mode.

	Check that the LO power is about 4.5 to 5.5 volts.
	If not, adjust this in the LO1 screen.

  - IF Rack:
	Check that the desired receiver is selected.
	Check that the IF filters are set correctly.

  - Converter Rack:
	Check the desired back end is connected.
	Check the LO2 frequency.

  - Analog Filter Rack:
	Only needed if using the Spectrometer (i.e., the high-speed correlator)
	Check the correct filter is selected:
	  50-100MHz  (if using 50 MHz bandwidth); 100 MHz converters
	  25-37.5MHz (if using 12.5 MHz bandwidth); 100 MHz converters

	  0.8-1.6GHz (if using 800 MHz bandwidth); 1.6 GHz samplers.
	  0.8-1.0GHz (if using 200 MHz bandwidth); 1.6 GHz samplers.
	  
	

IARDS (Interim Automated Reduction and Display System)

IARDS should be run on a Linux machine.  The computer 'naiad' is
recommended.

1. Start IARDS.

% iards  (or IARDS)

{remember to set the RTD (real-time display) button in the
  GO screen to "yes", if you want to use IARDS !}

2. Debugging IARDS.

see IARDS

CLEO (Control Library for Engineers and Operators)

Currently it is not recomended to use the load configuration options
for any device on gbtaio1 and gbtaio2.  These include the LO1, all
receivers, and the IF rack.

1. Start CLEO.

% cleo

Or to launch a specific device (e.g., IF rack)

% cleo ifrack

3. Monitor/Control (YGOR) Systems.

Version of M&C:

(Currently version 3.4.1).  To check the version of M&C type:

% gbtversion  

Real or Simulator mode:

A script can be sourced to convert from real to simulator mode.

% source controlRealGBT.bash   (For real mode)
% source controlSimulator.bash (For simulator mode)

Which devices to check:

	YGOR managers for the desired receiver(s) and
	back ends need to be checked.
	In all cases, LO1, IFRack, IFManager, and ConverterRack will
	be used.  In most cases, the AnalogFilterRack and Switching
 	signal selector will also be used.
	

Check that devices are healthy:

   Again, the telescope operators will usually take care of this.

   Each device or manager is accessed through a CLEO screen.
	(Start the CLEO screen by typing:
	   cleo

	   [then select the desired device from the launch menu])

   Bring up the CLEO MESSAGES screen.

   Each manager should be turned "on", if it is not already on.

   Check the state and status.  These are normally displayed at
      the bottom of the cleo screen.  
	The state should be "ready", and the status should be "clear"

      If not, call for help.  The message window should indicate the
	error condition.

   Check the three boxes labelled "M", "A", and "T"  
	(for manager, accessor, and transporter).
	These boxes should all be green.  If any of these boxes is red,
	something probably needs to be re-booted.

4. Antenna Setup

 It doesn't hurt for the observer to double check:
	a. The desired receiver is in position.

	b. The correct pointing model is installed.
	   Dana Balser summarized the present best values for 
	   GBT pointing models.

	c. Focus tracking, pointing model, refraction are all enabled.

BACK ENDS

SPECTRAL PROCESSOR

The GBT is a facility of the National Science Foundation