A computer program for point-surface microwave continuum observation

This report describes the use and technical structure of a computer program for observation of pointlike radio sources in the microwave continuum, using the Metsahovi precision radio telescope, a 13.7 meter Cassegrain telescope on an alt-azimuth mounting. The program is capable of ON-ON or ON-OFF observation in either 1-point or 5-point patterns, with a Gaussian fit giving the pointing errors in the 5-point case. Integration times can be fixed or selected to give the same azimuth range for both receiver beams (auto sync) for variable sources the power spectrum of the variation can be computed. The program can also perform receiver calibration, or measure the optical depth of the atmosphere, for up to four receivers simultaneously. Measured data are stored on magnetic tape.