Start the observations

$ : commands to insert in a shell

> : commands to insert in the operatorInput panel

: check the execution on the monitor

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1. Insert your project number :

   > project=[projectID] Fig.21

2. Initial setup :

   > antennaReset Fig.37

   > setupCCB Fig.18 Fig.30

3. Select the active surface shape (Shaped configuration for C-band observations) :

   > asSetup=S Fig.4

4. Insert the Local Oscillator value in MHz :

   > setLO=[freq] Fig.18

5. If you want to perform pointing and focus optimization and they not already included in your schedule, follow the link below :

   Pointing and Focus optimization

6. Select and configure the SARDARA backend :

   > chooseBackend=Sardara Fig.21

   $ genericBackendTui BACKENDS/Sardara

   > initialize=SC00S for full-Stokes observations or > initialize=SC00 for total intensity observations.

   Important note: both SARDARA configurations SC00S and SC00 are set to work with a default bandwidth of 1500 MHz and 1024 channels. Only in the event that you wanted to observe with different bandwidth and/or channel values you have to set the parameters of the backend (see the following item).

7. Set the different parameters of the backend :

   > setSection=[sect],*,[bw],*,*,[sampleRate],[bin] Fig.13

   with :

   • [sect]: 0 in full-stokes observations and [sect]: 0, 1 in total intensity observations ;
   • [bw] the bandwidth in MHz (420 or 1500 MHz) ;
   • [sampleRate] in MHz (840 for 420 MHz of bw or 3000 for 1500 MHz of bw) ;
   • [bin] the frequency channels (1024 or 16384).

8. Choose the integration time in ms (e.g. n=10 corresponds to 100 spectra/sec) :

   > integration=[n]

9. Put the antenna at 45 deg of elevation before checking that the signal is in the linear range of the backend:

   > goTo=*,45d Fig.15

10. Check that the getTpi command is working correctly before proceeding:

    > getTpi

    If getTpi=0,0 then there is a problem, you need to ask for help. If getTpi=(a few millions) then proceed.

11. Attenuate the signal based on the rms range [20;22] and check the value on the interface :

    > getRms

    > setAttenuation=[sect],[att] with [att] the attenuation from 0 to 15 dB. Fig.13

12. Check the tsys (typical 30-35 K) :

    > tsys Fig.13

13. Report the ground temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed :

    > wx

14. Begin the schedule by indicating the start scan [N] or subscan [N_n] in the SCD file :

    > startSchedule=[schedulename].scd,[N] Fig.21