Effelsberg Report (March 2006)
==============================

Operations
----------

- Most of the experiments of the November 2005 and February 2006
  sessions were recorded on the Mark4/Mark 5 terminal.

- The VLBA terminal can record 512Mbit/s on Mk5A, but is normally used for
  recordings on tape to be sent to Soccorro.  As EVNT tapes seem to give
  higher error rates than others, we no longer use them.

- As in February 2005, frequent stoppages for snowfall were
  also necessary in the February/March 2006 session.

- Increasing RFI at L-band is experienced: apart from usual 1610-1626 MHz,
  occasional signals are seen near 1650 and 1680MHz.

- Development of WVR software and web interface continues.
  (see http://www.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/staff/aroy/wvr.html)

- The geodetic GPS receiver is to be moved to a better location with
  better satellite coverage.
  (see http://www.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/staff/aroy/gps.html)


New Developments
----------------

- The new subreflector will be installed this year. Installation will
 start in August and will last till October. It is expected that the
 new subreflector will improve high-frequency performance (better
 sensitivity and flatter gain-elevation curve) and, in the longer
 term, enable better frequency agility.

- Planning for a private fibre connection between the observatory in
  Effelsberg and the institute in Bonn to serve both VLBI and LOFAR is
  well advanced. Completion of the data link is expected for summer
  2007.

Effelsberg availability in 2006
-------------------------------

- Due to preparations for the subreflector installation, the June
  session will have to be shortened for Effelsberg. Additionally, the
  participation of Effelsberg in the October session is rather
  unlikely as well.


Personnel Changes
----------------

Alex Kraus is now head of Effelsberg observatory.
Antonis Polatidis is the VLBI friend since February 2006.
Dave Graham is the Technical Friend of VLBI 

Please address all requests to the generic email account

vlbi@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de

or directly to A. Polatidis (apolatid@....) or D. Graham (dgraham@...).

Note that the previously advertised email account:
evlbi@...

is not functional any longer.