Gene, Danny:

This is my recommendation for the MEX bistatic radar operation tomorrow
(2008/024-025).  I've not received anything from MEX, so I'm basing times on
the DSN Keyword File.

It is pretty relaxed.  The spacecraft is high in its orbit, so signals will
not drift much.  Echoes may also be a bit weak; but I'm expecting to see them
in real time since Earth-Mars distance is still reasonable.

I have a flight scheduled to arrive at Burbank at 10:50 AM PST. I'll plan to
call you from the JPL gate since I'm back to needing an escort.

Dick

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2008/024 (UTC)
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22:00  Begin Pre-cal at DSS 63
       FGAIN = 65 dB (X-RCP)
               60 dB (all channels)
       FRO_X = 0; FRO_S = 0 (changes later, but only X-Band 25 kHz)
       Start 4-channel 25 kHz recordings after Step 4
       Stop 25 kHz recording after Step 18

2008/025 (UTC)
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00:00  Begin track (spacecraft is S + X, telemetry OFF)

       Resume 25 kHz recording (SCHAN 3)

00:06  X-Band ranging OFF

00:35  Begin SLEW #1

00:45  Begin MiniCal #1

01:00  End MiniCal #1 (end of Step 5)

01:02  FRO_X = -12000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

01:05  End SLEW #1

       Begin 4-channel 100 kHz recordings (SCHAN 4)

       Expect echoes in all channels; RCP and LCP roughly equal

01:30  FRO_X = -7000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

02:06  Begin SLEW #2

       End 100 kHz recording (SCHAN 4)

02:10  Begin Minical #2

02:25  End Minical #2

02:36  End SLEW #2

02:40  FRO_X = 0 (SCHAN 3)

02:51  S-Band transmitter OFF

       X-Band telemetry ON


02:55  EOT (5 minutes early)

       Begin Post-Cal

04:00  End Post-cal (if not before)

       End 25 kHz recordings

       End of Activity