Tech Staff Meeting Notes October 6, 2008

Current Top Priorities are: Station maintenance


Wurth would like to schedule the Mountain Grove install for the week of October 27. It needs to be cleared with Bill Dannevik first. Called Bob during the meeting and left a voice mail.

ET trip tentatively scheduled for week of 11/3 and/or 11/10.


There are four levels of priority.
PrioritiesWish to try to get these done (or make progress on) before the next meeting (yeah right)
Second TierFit this in too if an opportunity arises. May be good to do instead of priorities but check with Mitch. Likely to be a priority in a previous and/or subsequent month
As Time PermitsFit these in when you can but not instead of first or second priorities
OtherStuff we hope to get to and don't want to forget about


The task list updated February 6, 2008. Note that everyone is still needed to work on essentially all tasks. There is however, a single person who is primarily responsible for each one. Mitch of course, is ultimately responsible for everything.


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Priorities

Station Maintenance, NMSZ

Station maintenance is the top priority.

Several of the stations can get improved telemetry by transmitting directly to the node. The original configuration changed enough so that there is room in the band. Jim will investigate.
Holly's list of problem stations:

Isis Oxidation problem
BRNM.EHZ
SJBM.EHN
NHAR.EHE
JHAR.EHE
PPLM.EHZ
MCAM.EHN
Down or unuseable
PLAR.EHE
QUAR.EHE
LRAR.EHE
CPAR.EHZ
TNMT.EHN
MIST.EHE
CHRM
DWDM.EHE
MARM.EHN
GOBM.EHN
It isn't clear if "isis oxidation" is an accurate description of the recurring problem but it is consistent and indicates the same repeating triangle wave like signal on some channels at about 2 Hz. So even if it isn't oxidation at the bottom of the isis canister, we all know what the seismogram looks like when we call it that.
The problem with PLAR appears to be cultural. Jim surmises there is a large motor or something nearby. The data are still useable but the noise threshold is about 4 times higher than normal and very peaked at 5 and 6 Hz.
Jim's notes...
New Madrid node:
PARM-routine service and damage to mast due to hurricane Ike repaired.
NWCT-installed and online
FLPT-have found problem with telemetry. Made temporary repairs, will make proper repairs tomorrow.
COKM-repaired antenna problem due Ike
ISIS telemetry upgrade at CR done and other tower work completed.
XL-AK clock replaced.
Worm rack UPS batteries replaced. AC unit replaced. Trees and brush cleared from around guy anchors.
Priorities-FLPT(NWCT) telemetry, WALK & MORT service, Install LVC hardware in worm rack, SJBM & PPLM canister rebuild.
Lenox node:
Priorities-PEBM service, HALT- barbed wire fence around station, several ISIS single component outages, at CR XLAK clock swap & hook generator status lines into lnxtworm
Marked Tree node:
Priorities-ISIS telemetry hardware upgrade at CR & return spare AC units to both doghouses. Swap XLAK clock and install LVC in rack, ISIS routine service and LPAR routine service
ANSS-SM:
Continue with firmware upgrades and verify triggers written to flash, check status of HDBT instruments

TIPT replacement. NWCT is schedule for completion this week. Done and Online. ETN

CCRT - Needs a rebuild after a bad lightning strike.

NC Node - Need to figure out how to fix GPS time drop-outs. Jim suggests making sure the clock is configured correctly and not alarming on inconsequential hiccups.

GFM - Fixed the bad channel but still needs some work to repair storm damage. The NC state park service is purchasing GFM. We already have a couple permissions from them and John initiated the paperwork for the GFM permission.

RBNC - Replace battery(s), and add another solar panel.

GMG - Need battery box solar reg mounting plate and need to fuse the battery.

TZTN - sent reftek and gateway back to Meremonte for troubleshooting. It isn't clear what is wrong with it. Possibly a bad piece of fiber?


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Second Tier Priorities

Replace batteries in all XLAK clocks. Need to be careful so that earthworm doesn't see time jump around.

Most of the strongmotion stations can run at 100 sps without any modifications. We will install a router on the few that have problems (RDST will be the test case). We will also migrate the acquisition software from gcf2ew on anssworm to scream/scream2ew on a linux or ms server. The latter will facilitate stations maintenance without interrupting the data stream.

All CMG5TD sensors need to have the latest firmware (59914) installed and trigger download verified. Also need to adjust the trigger level as warranted by the local noise. The nominal level is 7000 "micro-g" which is really counts and translates to about 1% g (nominal conversion is 130,000 count/m/s/s). Note that some DAS's are fussy and you may need to set them to filing mode and then to dual to convince them to save triggers. So far these are done: NHIN, NMAD, LNXT, CVTN, GNAR, and SFTN.

Need a new bottom air conditioner for mkta. Need new RF preamps, radio align, etc, etc at MKTA.
Need to follow up the direct assault on the embryophyte hordes with chemical warfare.
Need to swap out the old node computers at AZTN. Will XP do netbui with the bridge recorders (if so we could lose the windows 98 box at aztn)?

GPS
Clearly, some of these items are lower priority.
CVMS. The temp cover James made for the GPS enclosure is gone. We've been talking about making a combined cover for the CVMS and CVTN enclosures. he two are side-by-side and could easily be covered by something like a lean-to.
PTGV. The temp enclosure cover is still in place. Chris has been talking about making a more permanent one similar to the louvered cover we have at CERI and at STLE. Chris and Bob are still working out the details, namely how much it might cost. Chris also mentioned replacing the current enclosure with a larger one. We have a larger enclosure available in the Expansion Space should this come about.
CJTR. We're still waiting for a definite "yes" or "no" from Haydar about putting a PC there to call CJTR locally. Steve's going to get me an old GX1 to make into a Linux box for the job.
CSMS. The previous comments James made about a new department taking of the CSMS facilities, where our station is, are false. They're still waiting for money to start construction on the new CSMS buildings. We're stuck with them for a while longer. According to the locals, wi-fi is prohibited on-base (even though it's apparently available elsewhere on the base). There is no wi-fi close enough for us to use.
All H-beam monument Sites (CVMS, HCES, STLE, MAIR, MCTY, NWCC, RLAP, PTGV, PIGT). All sites using a deep-driven pile need to have some cover placed over the PVC surrounding the monument at the service. Chris and James discussed some options and he's looking at prices. Priority goes to schools or places where small kids could get twisted ankles or other injuries (HCES, CVMS, RLAP).
All Sites except NMKM, LCHS, CJTR, and MACC. All sites may need their enclosures re-painted, preferably white. MCTY, CVMS, HCES, and NWCC currently have yellow enclosures. Painting them white might help them stay cool.
MCTY. Struck by lightning. Receiver is at Ashtech for repair. Ashtech wants the antenna and choke ring too.

ET

LRVA - East/West channel has low amplitude and needs troubleshooting. The problem did move when the sensor cables were swapped at the breakout box yet swapping in a new S-13 didn't fix the problem. Is it leveling, cable, connector, or possibly a bad sensor was swapped in? Also fixed the telemtry problem at flat gap but we're still gettting dropouts. Maybe its just cursed.

WSNC - (Winespring Bald, NC) - Have Special use permit from Forest Service. Need to determine details of exactly what goes precisely where. John will get some pics and discuss via phone with Jim and Chris.

Fort Payne - John found a good spot with decent odds of a permission at Desoto state park in Alabama. It will have to repeat through a Georgia fire tower and John is investigating the permit there.

The map shows stations with yellow triangles being new ones.
stationman-daysstatus
MGNC8done
CCNC8done
WSSR8new
TVNC8done
LRVA8done
Maryville8new
VHTN8done
RBNC4done
TRYN4done
GFM4done
SMNC4done (see note above)
PLVA2abandon
BHT8move (eventually)

HDBR
The recorder disks should be reformatted as a routine maintenance task next time access is available. The constant read/write to the fat file systems lead to fragmentation. Don't ya just love dos?
Lost contact with recorders 1, 3, and 6. Number 5 is unstable. Can reset all 7 recorders which implies the equipment enclosure at each node has power and that at least the reset radio and telemetry are working.

HDAR
Jim and Steve participated in the TDOT/TrancCore meeting regarding the Boswell work. It now looks like we won't be on their wireless and won't need the T1 channel bank hardware. More likely we'll need to telemeter to a point at 2nd street and get on the fiber directly. If that's true is might be routable addresses in which case we can connect directly via CERI without anything at Boswell or additions to Richardson. They are committed to sharing the network but are going full bore at Boswell and prefer to not be distracted. We're in a wait and see until that's done possibly around October 6.

HDBT
Mud Island vertical array is operational. Not really, functional is a better word until we can get it online to qc/vet data. Trigger levels on the strongmo need to be adjusted because the flash fills in about two weeks. One dm24 is at Guralp for repair. The sensor is in 3904/215E. CVTN optical isolation. Need to upgrade to year 3 hardware. Hardware ready.

Steve needs to speak with Dean Kemp at NWS. They are willing to let us piggyback on their cable internet (not .nws.noaa.gov).

Lenox Agreement. Jim obtained contact info for the person Mitch needs to call>

FDL. This is the FDL Policy. .
Horton and Langston deployed the CMG6TD's to record Gustav and found that 3 of them were not operational. Steve and Dave will get together to go over all of them to "check-in" the ones that are ok and to assess what the others need to make them operational.
Dave fixed the bad cables but still needs a way to waterproof the usb conectors.


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As Time Permits

PEBM and HENM sometimes have telemetry fades. Should reevaluate comms.

Need to gather up a contact list (e.g. everyone's home phone, power companies, etc) and put it on webworm (password protected).

Route Pat's alarms into the earthworm digitizer. They are a flat -5/0/+5 voltage that monitors a state change, it should then be easy to add them into the env_alarm channels.

CPCT - Re-work lighting and pest chaser. John has a pest chaser and will use some landscape or pool hardware for the lighting.

SWET - Need to seal the hinges on the aluminum Hoffman boxes with flashing tape to keep the water out. Done, need to check it. Is this the permanent solution or a temporary fix?

3876 Power The power for the new lighting on the east side of the general parking lot to the west of CERI is coming from 3876. Chris will check it out to assess the added lightning hazard and see if anything can be done about it. Might be hard to do without the wiring diagram. Chris will make one if needed as time permits.

3890 Power Chris is going to make a diagram for 3890. Good luck son.

Inventory Mitch needs to look at this and determine where we are and what needs to be done to make this operational.


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Other

Withers needs to determine current orientation for MPHB so we can pull it and orient correctly.

Pink Palace is working with Gary and Michelle on a new perc-like display area. We'll pull the receiver etc, when they start pulling out the old display (or sometime earlier if an opportunity arises).

Jim will switch the FCC licenses from Greg's name to Mitch. Done.