TAPE is an obsolete parameter now that tape is no longer in use.
TAPE requests that SCHED force a tape change at the start of the scan. This will override any automatic tape changing that is going on and will reset the reference time for any following automatic tape changes. If no argument is given, the tape will be changed at all stations. If a list of stations is given, the tapes will only be changed at those stations; if a station is given that is not in the scan, an error message will be generated and SCHED will abort. Station codes my be used in place of station names.
For stations that only have one tape drive (all except the VLBA and VLA), be sure to allow enough idle time to complete the tape change. This usually means 15 minutes and SCHED will issue warnings if it is less than this. Some stations claim to be able to do it in 10. If postpasses are required, and they are currently (Feb 1997) being done at thin tape stations, an additional up to 33 minutes is required. The station operators can override the postpass to save time, at the risk of damaging tapes which cost over $(US)1000 each. An alternative is to schedule the last pass at such stations without stopping the tape. If SCHED detects that this has been done, it will issue an UNLOAD command instead of POSTPASS. Note that the automatic postpass will only be requested at sites using VLBA control files. The VEX format does not (yet) include this concept.