High winds take priority over snow conditions. Please ensure personal safety through prompt notifications and aggressive monitoring of hazardous weather. Use caution and reduced speeds when tipping the antenna to snow dump position after any snow accumulation.
During routine observing or tests that require antenna motion, the 43 Meter should be stowed when:
Antenna motion may resume after a period of 15-30 minutes where winds remain below thresholds. Use your judgement.
Add an entry to the 43meter log (within the RSCREEN GUI using the DISPATCH/TECH menu options) anytime observing is interrupted for weather.
Stowing for Winds
STEP ACTION 1 Stop observing by pressing the main console HALT button. 2 Press the STOW button to move to stow. Set Stow Brakes. NOTE The RSCREEN GUI may also be used to accomplish stow actions if the Citect Main Console is not available. 3 Resume observing/testing by pressing the AUTO button after a period of > 15-30 minutes where winds remained below limits. Electrical Storms
STEP ACTION 1 Monitor observed and forecast conditions. 2 Notify all personnel to evacuate the structure when lightning is present. Use the lightning detectors and your best judgement. 3 Advise personnel when access to the structure may resume. 4 Notify supervisor if damage has occurred. Troubleshoot and notify additional personnel as needed. Snow Sticking to Dish
STEP ACTION 1 Monitor observed and forecast conditions. Stow if surface accumulation is likely or in progress. 2 Stop observing/testing by pressing the main console HALT button. 3 Press the SNOW EAST or SNOW WEST button to move the telescope to a snow dump position. Set Stow Brakes. NOTE Tip at a slow rate, especially if accumulation has already occurred. Rotate the dish to face away from wind to reduce blown on accumulation. 4 Continue to monitor weather conditions and resume normal operations when possible. Ice-Freezing Precipitation
STEP ACTION 1 Monitor observed and forecast conditions. 2 Restrict personal access if structure walkways/surfaces become slippery. 3 Terminate observing/maintenance operations and move the telescope to the Snow East or Snow West position. Position so that dish faces away from wind to reduce blown on accumulation. Set Stow brakes. 4 Continue to monitor weather conditions and resume normal operations when possible. NOTE Initial antenna moves after the storm should be made at a reduced rate and possibly under on-site supervision depending on the severity of the storm. Temperature
-- DavidRose - 8 Feb 2008
STEP ACTION 1 Stop observing if the air temperature drops below zero degree F by pressing the main console HALT button. 2 Press the STOW button to move to stow. Set Stow Brakes. 3 Monitor weather conditions. Continue to step 4 after the temperature remains above zero degree F for one hour. 4 Move the antenna at a reduced rate initially to warm the drives up. How long will be situation dependant. 5 Resume observing operations.
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Revision r1.6 - 08 Feb 2008 - 14:06 GMT - DavidRose
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