ECRH and W7-X: An intriguing pair

The construction of the W7-X basic machine is almost completed and the device is approaching the commissioning phase. W7-X operation will be supported by ECRH working at 140 GHz in 2^nd harmonic X- or O-mode with 10 MW cw power. Presently the activities at W7-X concentrate on the implementation of wall-armour, in-vessel components and diagnostics. The ECRH-system is in stand by with 5 out of 10 gyrotrons operational. The status of both, the W7-X device and the ECRH system is reported. Further R&D activities concentrate on extending the launching capability for sophisticated confinement investigations with remote steering launchers in a poloidal plane with weak magnetic field gradient.