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Checklist for SRDP calibrations of VLA data, based heavily on the VLASS one.

Also relevant: requirements for the AQUAReport  SRDP-194 - Getting issue details... STATUS

Checklist (in order of pipeline stage):

  1. Overview of MS: check calibration of EB as executed is SRDP compliant:
    1. intents for bandpass, amplitude and gain calibration all present.
    2. the amplitude (flux) calibrator is appropriate for the frequency and configuration (i.e. a good model exists).
    3. all science spw are calibrated
    4. gain calibrations are at appropriate intervals for the frequency being observed i.e. <10-60min <12GHz, <2-20min >12GHz, depending on configuration (see https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/vla/docs/manuals/obsguide/calibration#CalibrationCycle for details).
    5. appropriate setup scans were performed
    6. pointing calibrations were done for high frequency (>15GHz) observations.
  2. hifv_flagdata - online flags. Notify scientist if >20% flagged - maybe should be 35%?
  3. hifv_priorcals - check for gain compression due to severe RFI - is hifv_syspower part of the regular pipeline yet? If not, probably need to flag.
  4. hifv_testBDdcals - check for Data Transmission System (DTS) problems.
  5. hifv_flagbaddef - check that any DTS issues have been flagged.
  6. hifv_semiFinalBPdcals - check for any remaining DTS issues.
  7. hifv_solint - check solints for calibrators are reasonable (< a few mins for the long interval, > ~0.1s for the short interval) - if in doubt check with a scientist.
  8. hifv_fluxboot2:
    1. check the input tables look clean 
    2. check that  the model is reasonable and covers all spw.
    3. make a note of the phase calibrator flux densities.
  9. hifv_finalcals:
    1. check for delay outliers
    2. check for unusual bandpass shapes
    3. check for outlying bandpass phases
    4. phase (short) gain solution: check for large phase scatter
    5. final amp/time: check for outliers
    6. final amp/freq: check that outliers fall into known bad spw
    7. Final phase - check there are no phase jumps > 90deg
  10. hifv_applycals: check end of CASA log and note final % flagged. If over 50%? check with a scientist
  11. hifv_plotsummary:
    1. phase vs time plots: check all are centered on zero
    2. amp vs uvwave:
      1. check calibrators are point-like (constant flux)
      2. check there is no evidence of decorrelation (strong "waterfall")
      3. check RFI is fully flagged
    3. amp vs frequency:
      1. check for residual RFI on calibrators
      2. check for residual RFI on targets
  12. Rerun with additional flagging if needed.
  13. Once satisfied, write a short overall evaluation suitable for transmission to the PI (no cuss words!)


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