VLA Test/Observation Coordination Meeting
                           B.G. Clark
                        November 16, 2006

1.  Modcomp turn off

B. Clark notes that turning off the Modcomps is becoming a more visible
and high priority project.  Initial, engineering type testing of VLA
correlator control and data collection via the EVLA monitor and control
system may begin before the end of the year.  Additional participation
by the scientific staff for on-the-sky tests will be required early next 
year.

2.  EVLA status

K. Sowinski summarizes:  five antennas work reasonably completely and
reliably.  They are considered operational.  The sixth (antenna 26) is 
coming along, but is not yet formally operational.  Antenna 23 has
partial operation at X band.

3.  VLA Correlator system controller

K. Sowinski reports that the new correlator system controller has been 
in use since late September.  There are a few known problems, most of
which will be addressed in software time today.  There are no astronomically
discovered problems that can be reasonably attributed to the new controller.
He would like, next month, to start removing the software support for the
old correlator controller, committing us entirely to the new one.  B. Clark
asked about the spares situation - KS replied that the processor cards all
have spares, and the more complicated of the home built cards.  R. Ferraro
is convinced that a failure in the remaining unspared cards could be 
quickly repaired.

4.  K band

The EVLA LO system can tune over the entire range of the K band front ends,
which the VLA LO system cannot.  G. van Moorsel will shortly examine system
performance over the entire range of 18 to 26 GHz.  K. Sowinski says that
there are power throughput problems at the edges.

5.  LWDA

F. Owen gave a brief report on the operation of the prototype LWDA element
located near the antenna maintenance building.  There is a description of
current progress on the web.  The element is operating with 16 elements at 
74 MHz.  A beam can be formed and steered, and a map of the sky has been
made, showing the three strong radio sources.  A wider bandwidth element 
has been constructed and is being tested.

6.  Postdocs

M. Rupen noted that it would probably be good for both the project and the
postdocs to get them more involved in EVLA testing.