Two JIVE staff members were again invited to teach the topics of VLBI Data Acquisition, Transport, and Tools (Head of Technical Operations and R&D Group Marjolein Verkouter) and Amplitude Calibration (support scientist Junghwan Oh). Each topic was offered several times in small groups, allowing for direct interaction between the instructors and participants. © MIT Haystack Observatory
The International VLBI Service (IVS) organised the 13th biennial Technical Operations Workshop (TOW2025) held from May 4 to 8, 2025, locally organised by MIT Haystack Observatory. TOW is, in practice, essential for operators and stations new to operational VLBI, whether in geodesy, astronomy, or both. At the same time, it gives seasoned operators who have not participated for some time an effective way to reconnect with the latest developments in the field.
While focusing on "geodetic VLBI", the intended audience for TOW meetings is the technical staff of VLBI stations in general. The meeting is oriented toward hands-on training and problem-solving in VLBI operations. Both astronomical and geodetic VLBI share much of the same infrastructure and, more importantly, increasingly the same hardware and software tools at various stages of their operations.
The TOW 2025 spanned four days, filled to the brim with classes taught by experts in the field. In a collaboration between staff from the Bonn Geodäsiegruppe, MIT Haystack, and JIVE, the e-transfer class was given an interactive aspect. Example VLBI recordings from the various systems used in the networks were made available for download at the three sites, as well as in temporary areas at the same institutes for uploading via e-transfer. At MIT Haystack, a small "computer lab" with five workspaces equipped with contemporary e-transfer tools was set up. After an introduction to these tools, participants drew a random data source and a data destination. They were then tasked with determining the best tool for the requested e-shipment and implementing it. A y(g)ummy prize, brought in person from Bonn, was awarded to the first team to succeed in each class.