11. FAQ

11.1. For NRAO/GBO telescope users

  1. Do I need to do anything to have my observation covered by ODS?

    • For VLA: No (if you are scheduled through the NRAO OPT system)

    • For VLBA: Mostly no if you scheduled with a VEX file

    • For GBT: It’s under test, but please contact the ODS Helpdesk

    See Current NRAO/GBO facility adoption status for all currently supported use cases for all three telescopes by ODS reporting.

  2. How do I opt out of having my observation schedule being reported by ODS?

    • Please contact the NRAO ODS Helpdesk and provide your observation ID, PI name, telescope you are using, along with other relevant information of your observation, reasons you want to opt out.

  3. Where should I go to report RFI observed in my VLA/VLBA/GBT data?

11.2. For new ODS users

  1. How can I adopt the ODS JSON schema for my own radio telescope?

    • The current NRAO ODS JSON schema being used by other radio observatories and satellite operators is provided in ODS Data Format. Please review and agree to the user terms before proceeding.

  2. Can the NRAO ODS server host my ODS data for satellite operators? If not, what are the alternative options?

    • Currently, hosting external observatory data is not supported by NRAO. You will need to setup your own ODS server and adopt the same ODS JSON Scheme in ODS Data Format. To setup your own ODS API server, please reference Developer Notes.

  3. Can I have more JSON fields other than the ones listed in the ODS Data Format table?

    • Yes, the ones listed in the ODS Data Format table are the ones that existing satellite operators have agreed upon. If there are additional fields you would like to monitor for internal purposes, feel free to add them. For example, CSIRO has added extra fields for internal diagnostic purposes.

    • That being said, if you are expecting the satellite operators to act on these additional fields, you will need to communicate with the satellite operators directly if it is specific to your facility. Otherwise, please communicate with the NRAO ODS development team via Helpdesk and we are happy to consider adding that to the required fields.

  4. Where can I find more details on how to interface with the NRAO ODS server if I have coordinated with NRAO/NSF?

  5. What are the common use cases for the ODS system?

  6. Where can I read more about the ODS system?

11.3. General questions

  1. Who should I contact if I have more questions about the NRAO ODS system?

    • Please drop an email at the NRAO ODS helpdesk, see Helpdesk

  2. Where can I find the Changelog of this documentation page?

  3. What are the meanings of the acronyms?