[mmaimcal] Site characterization

[Alwyn Wootten]

Met with Lars-Ake Nyman about the future of site characterization.  Juan 
Ruben Bravo is still in our employ, for about 210000 pesos per month. 
He has been helping at the OSF, loading, unloading etc.  Unfortunately 
he doesn't speak English (nor I Spanish) nor does he have technical 
capabilities developed enough yet to retrieve data from the instruments. 
  It isn't clear any of us do--there is a manual for data retrieval from 
the ESO instruments but not NRAO.  Lars-Ake has recovered Roberto's 
laptop to get programs from it (or will shortly).  V-to-F converter not 
working ESO container interferometer.  225 tipper OK when last checked. 
  APEX also has a 183 GHz tipper with three channels DSB which operates 
when the shutter is open, and a weather station.  We agreed to try to 
keep one weather station (ESO) operable, one interferometer operable 
(NRAO) and the tipper going until something happens.  Perhaps if Radford 
(or Angel, if he can visit Chile again anytime soon) comes to the site 
he can offer some training to Ruben or Lars-Ake or me or ?.  Myers 
offered CBI assistance too if needed.  I think we need more people 
capable of downloading data and performing minor repairs at the trailers 
if we are to maintain it in a 'periodic visit' fashion.  The engineer 
position is an ESO position; ideally it would be filled pending outcome 
of the Board's BCP decisions next week.  I don't think JAO management 
favor that.

Al