Effelsberg station report (D.A. Graham) 

- The motors of the azimuth drive were replaced this autumn, this was
  the second time in the life of the telescope. The azimuth drive rate
  is now 32deg/min, the elevation rate is currently limited to 10deg/min

- Subreflector now fully operational:
  With the installation of the new subreflector receiver changes in
  the prime focus became more flexible. Receiver changes from prime
  focus to secondary focus and vice versa are now possible within 20
  minutes. In addition multi-frequency receiver boxes are being installed at
  the prime focus, allowing higher flexibility. At the moment,
  a two-receiver box containing the 1.9 cm and the 1.0 cm receivers is
  installed. Changes within this box are done by rotating the
  box, which takes about a minute. This winter, this box will receive
  the new 18-21cm receiver. Another box will contain 30cm, 5cm,
  0.65cm and 0.3cm.
  Updated gain curves are now being distributed with calibration information.

- A new hydrogen maser has been installed (EFOS 45). The original
  Smithsonian maser has failed, spare unit is now EFOS 14.

- An optical fibre connection has been laid between Effelsberg and Bonn,
  the connection is presently under test.

- From December, the new VLBI friend will be NN

- Tests have been made using the Mk4 terminal as Mk5b. This uses VLBA samplers
  and a VSIC card. In future it is planned to use the terminal in this mode,
  the VLBA terminal will record in Mk5A format. The Mk5A machine on the VLBA
  terminal will be replaced by a faster unit. Both Mk5 units will have a 1Gbps
  connection.

- It is planned to move all the VLBI equipment to the Faraday cage room, the
  exact date is uncertain as yet

- A replacement of the elevation gears is planed for March/April 2008 after EVN session 1.