In the next few months, JAC will be phasing out support for nine-track tapes. The tape-drive at the JCMT is no longer on maintenance and will soon be removed; the drives in Hilo will probably be removed by the Fall. By far the best method for observers to take away their data is via FTP; although Exabyte and DAT tape drives are available at the summit and in Hilo. We would very much prefer observers to bring their own tapes with them if possible. If we supply you with a tape, the cost will be added to your bill. If any observers have left their own nine- track tapes in Hilo, they should make arrangements to copy their data to a different format.

Richard Prestage, JAC