Smithsonian's contractor, Isemoto, has started the work on extending the power and communications loop from handhole 25 near Subaru down to handhole 31 just past CSO. There will be two roadcuts as part of this project, one near CSO in July and a later one near JCMT. The contractor expects to finish late in September.
Clayton Yugawa will be invited to make a presentation at our next meeting on Hawaiian Tel's plans for implementing the new communications services.
A Picturetel video conferencing system has been installed between the summit and Waimea using Keck's second T-1 line. The system, which cost $25K per end,provides 15 frame/sec video and excellent audio. The Working Group will have a chance to see the system in operation at our next meeting.
Keck is looking into accessing the T-3 link from the Maui High Performance Computer Center (MHPCC) to New Mexico by purchasing a T-1 Frame Relay Link from their base to MHPCC.
The FY 96/97 budget for the MKSS Communications Network cost center is essentially the same as that for FY 95/96. The two major expenditures are the maintenance contract and the salaries for the Network Manager and Assistant Manger (10% FTE each).
The possibility of including facility routers in the group maintenance contract was discussed. Because of the diversity of equipment involved, it was decided not to pursue this.