[fitsbits] SDFITS Convention Comment: Hardware Keywords

[Eric Greisen]

Tom Kuiper wrote:
> OK, thanks.
> 
> I haven't participated in one of these before and so I don't know the 
> best way to proceed.  I realize that no one might react to my previous 
> e-mail and you wouldn't know if that indicated agreement, disagreement 
> or disinterest.  Would it be more helpful if I put my ideas in a 
> declarative form?  Then, if there is no reaction, agreement can be 
> assumed.  Here's an example:
> 
> The TELESCOP keyword is required in the extension header and its 
> associated value will be a unique string which identifies the antenna or 
> antenna array and can be used as a key to a database of antenna 
> parameters.  NRAO will maintain a registry for TELESCOP keyword values.

I actually like the idea of a registry - but who at NRAO did you have in 
mind?  There was once a FITS office informally at NRAO but that 
individual retired some years ago.  The AIPS project has been deprecated 
for many years and depends solely on me to keep all its users afloat. 
The CASA project has little to no interest in FITS.  The VLB users 
maintain a registry of sorts but at a more detailed level intended to 
represent that multiple names and abbreviations used for the same 
telescopes when they are used in various VLBI configurations.  The 
individual who has created that list is openly considering a partial 
retirement.

Eric Greisen