How to make PALFA observations.
Notes by DJN, 2 August 2004.


Log in to observer2 as dtusr.  The
password written on a sticker on the monitor, or
ask the operator if observing remotely.

Run "cima".  Enter your name, project number 
("p1944" for now) hit "pulsar" button.

Click on "ALFA", "choose receiver", "dismiss"

CLick "Load/Save safe", click "load a state",
"alfa_psr_scan_1420.gui", dismiss.

"IF/LO control," "New & Improved IF/LO setup" (blue),
"APply this setup"

"Pulsar observing", 
If not configured for "2 chan 3 levels":
  Configuration "2 chan, 3-levels",
  "Copy WAPP 1 to all".  

"Start Monitor", "Auto Attenuation", "stop observing"

"Pointing Control", default is psr.cat, click on 
test pulsar (B0540+23), click on "point".  Telescope
will slew to source.

On "dataview" (linux computer on the left), run "snap"
(full path "/share/wappsrc/bin/snap")
In plot window "select" menu, choose "raw band".

Change "Run for (Secs)" to "17"

When on source:
"Start Monitor," "Auto Attenuation," "stop observing"

Change to "Summed chans, 3-level auto"
"Copy wapp1 to all
"start observation"

In telescope pointing control click on "set alfa center "1" button
then "apply pointing correction"

After telescope settles, "Start observation."

Cycle through all seven beams, then set alfa center "0" when done.

In snap, change the wapp setting as appropriate (e.g. beams 2 & 3
are on wapp2).  Use pull down menu in upper left of snap control.

"More" (on wapp panel), "Pulsar Catalog Observing", "Catalog",
"Click on desired catalog" (for anticenter, "ap_as.dat")
Click on "command file", choose (for example, "sched_20040802_1.cmd").
"Start wapp pulsar catalog observation" 
Note: Run time is in file-- no need to set it in the wapp panel.

"

These are normally running in the control room, but
you may want to start them up yourself if running remotely.
"alfaobswin" : alfa power monitor (broken for now)
"rxview" : receiver if/lo graphic display
"aostatus" : graphic pointing status display
"monpnt" : ascii pointing status display
"monif" : ascii if/lo status display