R1 and R4 are the IVS “Rapid” experiments meaning their turnaroud time (from observation to the ready product) should be less than 15 days. They supply fast EOP results. R1 data are correlated in Bonn, Germany, and it is sent there by e-transfer. More about rapids can be found here: http://ivscc.gsfc.nasa.gov/program/descrip2011.html#r1

AuScope normally observes R1's on Tuesdays. The data from the remote stations is sent down to Hobart to be transferred. Shipment of the modules may take up to 5 working days, meaning the Ke and Yg modules arrive next week. Thus, in order to facilitate the timely delivery of the data to the correlator, we have to act as fast as we can with those modules, that's where we need help of the observers.

Data transfer consists of two stages: 1) module-RAID and 2) RAID-correlator. Observers monitor the longest and most wulnerable second stage.