[TASS] "Monthus Horribilis"

[Tom Droege <droege@WWA.COM>]

In the words of the head of "The Corporation", it has been a Monthus
Horribilis.  I seem to be coming out of it.  I have been able to make the
first gain and noise measurement that makes sense to me since I started
making changes a month ago.  After all that work, nothing much has changed.
 At -15 C I am seeing noise in the 20 e- range.  It is 40 e- at 0 C.  This
at least makes sense, the noise goes down with temperature.

There is still a funny base line problem with the I camera.

For Problem #3, I have condensation on the CCD surface.  I seem to be able
to remove it by heating the chip, but I do not yet have the desiccant
working well enough that it prevents condensation from forming.  I think it
is just a case of opening up the camera heads too often.

Sigh!  Things were pretty dreary for a while.  I hope I am coming out of it.

Tom Droege