NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY
Green Bank, WV

MEMORANDUM

November 28,  2000

TO: R. Fisher, J. Ford, F. Ghigo, R. Lacasse,  C. Niday, T. Weadon
FROM: R. Lacasse
SUBJ.: Minutes of Interference Protection Group 11-28-00 Meeting

In attendance: Fisher,  Ford,  Lacasse, Niday, Weadon

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Interference Reports
None.
Review of Action Items:

  1. Site-wide interference suppression policy - position  paper (John, Rick)

There will be two versions of this policy, one for management and one for observers and technical staff.  The management version is complete except for final formatting.  The observers and technical staff version is not written yet.  Input will be sought from the IPG and management with regards to the content of this version.
  2. Hand-held HF/VHF radio for power switching RFI detection    (Chuck)
A suitable receiver for a reasonable price has been identified.  The purchase requisition for it will be written shortly.
  3. RFI considerations for new Education Center (John, Frank)
Copies of our plans have been sent to two RFI consultants.  One consultant will make recommendations for free provided he is not excluded from bidding on the construction of the facility.  The second consultant will advise us on his fee for providing a design that meets our requirements.
  4. Progress on suppressing RFI from equipment that has been measured in the anechoic chamber
The GBT weather station has been fixed.  Recent measurements of the GBT warning lights have revealed that they emit excessive RFI.  They have been installed due to safety considerations.  The one spare light will be used as a test bed to reduce the RFI to acceptable levels.
  5. Measurements of PC/Workstation in a shielded box (Chuck)
No progress.  Fisher pointed out that the results of this work may have implications on the education center, and made a plea for raising its priority.
  6. Shielded room entrances (John, Rick)
Ford reported that a ray-tracing study of the baffled entrances for the new education center had been completed.  It appears that the baffles will provide the required 60 db of attenuation.  Possibly, this study can also be useful in designing an entrance into the shielded rooms in the new wing of the Jansky Lab.
  7. Monitor Station Developments
No progress due to GBT outfitting.
 11. Microwave oven in shielded box (Chuck)
The system is being used a bit now.  Additional improvements will be made as time allows.
 Next meeting
December 19, 2000