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FITSINIT

This program initialises a tape for writing.

!!!!WARNING!!!! IF YOU USE FITSINIT ON A TAPE WHICH ALREADY CONTAINS DATA, YOU WILL LOSE THIS DATA

Obtain the next free `D' tape from the rack in the 3220 enclosure at the end of the control room. Note the number and `book' the tape out by entering in the tape log your initials, the date and a brief note of the observing program and which CCD chip is being used. Load the tape, with the write enable ring IN, onto one of the two magnetic tape decks. Note which deck is being used (MAG1: or MAG2:).

At the terminal type FITSINIT to the Adam: prompt. Reply to the questions about which deck is being used (answer 1 or 2) and whether the tape is a new one or not (Y(ES) or N(O)). You are then warned that previous data will be lost (type Y(ES) to continue, N(O) to stop). You are asked to input the tape number. Only names with the format JKTDnnn will be accepted. Finally you are asked to supply the initials of the tape owner. If you press <cr> the initials under which you are logged in are used as default. You must then supply the next run number. If the initialisation is successful you will get a message to say so.

You are now ready to use the tape for storing data via FITSOUT. Note that if you wish to copy a tape via FITSCOPY you do not need to use FITSINIT on the new tape first. All the relevant commands are contained within FITSCOPY (see Section 13.6).