REPORT TO THE EVN CONSORTIUM FROM THE MPIFR, BONN


                  Bonn      29 November, 2005


EFFELSBERG

A second MK5 unit (MK5B) has been ordered for Effelsberg. The current
MK5A unit is used together with the MK4 rack but has been successfully
used with the VLBA terminal (which normally uses thin tape for
projects destined for the VLBA correlator). Eventually there will be
interchangeability, and also the capacity to record at 2 Gb/s.

The upgrade of the 100m telescope secondary and prime focus
capabilities is "on track", with work planned for July 2006, with
first tests in August 2006.

The planned optical fibre link between Effelsberg and Bonn for
wideband data transfer and eVLBI has been approved by the MPG, with a
target date of end of 2006.

The MPG has agreed to fund a LOFAR station for Effelsberg.

Incorporation of Effelsberg proposals within the electronic proposal
tool being developed by the RADIONET Synergy Group is under review.

Some support for Effelsberg network VLBI operations is performed by
the Effelsberg TNA scientist, Antonis Polatidis.


BONN

Two new students have joined the VLBI group: Ms. Nadezhda
Kudrayetskawa from St. Petersburg is studying compact radio sources,
and Mr. Nikola Marchili from U. Perugia is studying AGN variability.

Dr. Manuel Perucho from Valencia has joined the group as an MPIfR
postdoc, with main expertise in jet simulations.

Dr. John McKean from UC Davis has joined the group as a postdoc appointed
under the EU-funded gravitational lens network ANGLES.

The University of Cologne has joined the International Max-Planck
Research School (IMPRS)

A NRW "Cluster of Excellence" in Astrophysical Interferometry has been
formed between Cologne, Bochum and Bonn.

Further enhancements have been made to the 6cm receiver built by the
MPIfR for the Urumqi telescope, including elimination of problems
caused by instability in the feed cover.


Richard Porcas