Research:Radio Operations
From Astronomy Facility Wiki
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Operating PRO
MIT shipped the PRO kit with java software. It is relatively robust and easy to use, however it lacks certain features and controls one might expect. As such, an ongoing goal of ours will be to update and improve this interface, while keeping it as simple to use as possible.
Logging In & Starting Up
Generally speaking, PRO is meant to be used remotely. Fred Jr is the host computer which supports PRO. Using Windows Remote Desktop (which can be found online for most any operating system) you can log into Fred Jr from anywhere with a high-speed internet connection. One very important aspect of the Windows Remote Desktop software is that only one user may be logged in at a time. If you log in while someone else is using PRO, you will boot them offline.
The IP Address for PRO for users is available, but will not be published online for security reasons. There are two possible IP address given to us from the Atmospheric Sciences. One shall be for normal use; the other shall be used as a secure address so that Fred Jr may be uninterrupted during long observation programs or system maintenance. This second IP Address will not be freely given out, and typically will never be used.
PRO has a version of Trillian and AIM on Fred Jr. An AOL Instant Messenger screen name has been created for PRO so that people using PRO (both remotely or locally) can talk to other users and inform people of what is going on. This provides a non-invasive way for people to be aware of what is going on with PRO, without having to log in. Make sure this is running at all times!
Before you log in, check the AIM status!
When you log in, change the AIM status to something informative about your program!
PRO's AIM Screen Name: PROobserver
Using the Interface
The GUI is pretty simple. Buttons are labeled for their functions, however syntax can be tricky and unforgiving. Here is a link to a screen shot of Fred Jr being run via a MAC: [Screen Shot]
To use the largest sample range, click the "freq" buttom, type the center frequency (typically 1420.4) and then the number 4 (the 4th bin mode)
Using PRO over Remote Desktop can sometimes become slow. Fred Jr is an old machine and can lag when trying to do too many things at once. Don't be angry if you click buttons and/or type commands and they take a few seconds to show up occasionally!
This section of the WIKI needs to be updated and finished
Getting Your Data
PRO has been setup with a GMail account for sending data home. Data may be stored on Fred Jr for a couple weeks, but it is polite to not fill up our hard drive. Because the .rad files are small, they are easy to send via email. It is a simple matter of opening up Firefox, whose homepage should be http://www.gmail.com , and sending your data to your UW inbox. The gmail screen name is proobserver, the password is the same as Fred Jr's login password.
After each .rad file is created, it is saved in the SRT folder. There is a shortcut on the desktop to this folder. It is recommended you do not leave data in here as this folder is already cluttered with SRT operation files. Note the name of the files you are creating and move them to the desktop once they are done being written.
Shut Down Proceedures
The only main points to note for shutdown are these:
* Set the AIM away message back to something appropriate * Point the dish to 80-85deg elevation (any Az will do) * Turn tracking off! * If connected by remote-desktop, log out -- Do NOT turn computer off.
Needed Revisions
A standard safety practice in steerable dish radio astronomy is to park the dish pointing to Zenith. This provides the least cross-section for wind and reduces our chances of the dish landing in a parking lot... The software needs to be changed so that the starting "stow" position is at or near zenith.
When data is written, RA and DEC needs to be included in each line of the ".rad" files. Currently the Az and El are printed, but the interface shows RA and DEC, meaning it must know how to convert the two. This would ease the process of creating understandable maps in IDL
