Antenna and Observation

The observing activity continued without problems in both fields VLBI and single-dish.
Fringes have been found in all the experiments, proving the normal operational status.
Moreover improved performance have been shown by the upgraded antenna driving
system, with additional features of scanning.

Some problems related to the antenna  oscillations have been solved with the
introduction of software filtering in the driving process, that remove the possibility
to stimulate self-resonance conditions in the antenna structure.

A student started to work for preparing the graduate thesis related to the realization
of a new version of antenna driving software web-oriented, in order to allow remote
operations with the Noto antenna and acquisition system.

Still the lack of funds affects the possibility of  remaking the grout of azimuth rail
whose
performance is degradating in the time.

Receivers

A small 'task force' has been set to operate with the 86 GHz receiver borrowed by MPI.
Up to now some measurements have been done in the past years, but it's felt as a
calibration campaign is necessary with a preliminary alignment phase. In January 2007
three weeks will be devoted to such operations with the aim to obtain efficiency
measurements
and pointing parameters.

Acquisition Terminal and Digital Technology

A large number of disk packs has been acquired for the exact total amount of 100 TB.
As soon as the disk packs will be mounted and conditioned this quantity will appear
on track summary.

A travel version of DBBC has been realized and two experiments have been performed in
the Aspiring stations of Evpatoria (Ukraine) and Irbene (Latvia), using the Metsahovi
VSIB recorder system. Three complete DBBC units are under construction for Wettzell,
Tigo and O'Higgins. In such system tuning configurations are possible,  so as multi-channel
solutions as the geodetic community is oriented to use. Delivery for such units
is planned between the end of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007. It also started the
realization
of  two complete units for Noto and Medicina.
Several systematic observations have been done between Noto and Medicina for the DBBC
testing. Recording is realized with a  EVN-PC offered by Metsahovi. Starting with 2007
it is planned to observe almost regularly geodetic observations with DBBC-VSIB
in parallel with the MK4-MK5.

In collaboration with MPI It's under construction the digital version of the new L band
Effelsberg
receiver. Part of the DBBC technology is adopted with a different
firmware implementation.
Recording is realized with VSIB boards, but a new recording board is worth to be
developed in collaboration with Metsahovi group for an improved data rate.

INAF approved the first phase of a proposal to set a spin-off company with the aim to
produce the DBBC back-ends, and parts related to the same technology adopted for
such system.


Manpower

The lack of manpower in the Noto administration office affected seriously the normal
activity. MPI offered a great contribution for minimise negative effects
in the DBBC development, taking care of  numerous orders.