The most critical parameter of the calibration is the Forward Efficiency
. This parameter is a function of frequency (antenna surface
accuracy), but also of the receiver used (illumination) and of the Focus with a tendency to be too low if you are defocussed. If
is underestimated,
is underestimated (See equation 8 and note
that
is always greater than
except in very bad
sites...) and you may obtain anomalously low
vapor content, and
vice-versa.
The sideband gain ratio is also a critical parameter.
is not only a scaling factor as obvious in Eq. 8, but is also involved in
the derivation of the atmospheric model since the contributions from the
atmosphere in image and signal bands are considered. This effect will be
important only if the opacities in both bands are significantly different,
as for the J=1-0 line of CO.
On the 30-m telescope, because of the design of the cold load,
is also a function of frequency and receiver (it varies from 87 K at 230
GHz to 116 K at 75 GHz). The values of
are fairly well known by
the receiver engineers : ask them...