A handbook (``The 30m Manual'') collects most of the information necessary to plan 30m telescope observations[6]. The report entitled ``Calibration of spectral line data at the IRAM 30m telescope'' explains in detail the applied calibration procedure. Both documents can be retrieved from the URL ../IRAMES/otherDocuments/manuals/index.html. A catalog of well calibrated spectra for a range of sources and transitions (Mauersberger et al. [9]) is very useful for monitoring spectral line calibration. A copy of the 30m file with the calibrated spectra can be downloaded from the Spanish web site.
The astronomer on duty (whose schedule can be found at URL ../IRAMES/groups/astronomy/aodsched.html) should be contacted well in advance of an observing run for any special questions concerning the preparation of an observing run (e.g. setup of on-the-fly maps etc).
Frequency switching is available for both HERA and the observatory's standard
SIS receivers. This observing mode is interesting for observations
of narrow lines where flat baselines are not essential, although
the spectral baselines with HERA are among the best known in frequency
switching. Certain limitations exist with respect
to maximum frequency throw (
km/s),
backends, phase times etc.; for a detailed report see [4].