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The outback forms an impressive backdrop for the equipment that was set up at the proposed site for the SKA core.

A large Goanna shared the site with the SSSM team. It didn’t seem to be bothered by the noise of the diesel power generator that was just a few meters from its burrow.

The two antenna masts in use by the SSSM team at the Mileura site. The four antennas and two frontend boxes cover the frequency range from 50MHz to 24GHz.

After returning from the session in China the equipment was sent off to Australia. Here the crates were transported to the site by car. The 900 km drive from Perth to Mileura was over paved and unpaved roads and was fortunately uneventful. In the days after arriving at Mileura the equipment was unpacked at the site, assembled and tested. Again, the long trek had not harmed the equipment and the regular scheduled measurements could start after just two days. The first couple of days were also spent verifying that no self made interference would pollute the data. The Australian local team chose to switch off their equipment for most of the time to prevent such self-interference.

The local team, led by Ron Beresford of CSIRO, was present during part of the session. Cross calibration of the local and the SSSM equipment was carried out during a combined session.

The measurements were done during a very mild period; it can be very hot during the summer, but this spring the temperatures never were high and no rain- or thunderstorms were to be feared. This, and the very efficient scheduling that could be done ensured that the measurements could proceed smoothly. The experience obtained during the previous sessions in South Africa and China has proven to be of great value.

Unlike during earlier sessions, no part of the equipment got damaged during transportation or use. Some aspects need to be checked however as there was a high temperature warning inside the computer that didn’t match the actual rather moderate temperature inside, and a possible one time event that caused one of the power supplies to act up. The affected measurements were repeated. These points will be addressed during the brief overhaul period in Dwingeloo, before the equipment will be sent to the last country on the list: Argentina. It is to be expected that the Argentinean session will be completed before the end of 2005.

The ASTRON SSSM team wishes to express their thanks to the Australian organizers. The host family at the Mileura station has made the team feel welcome.