Operational experience with the LHC waveguide mode reflectometer

The LHC microwave mode reflectometer (assembly version) reached operational status by the autumn of 2005. It is now routinely used in the LHC tunnel and on the surface to take data on the beam screens of the individual LHC magnets and also groups of magnets with lengths up to 100 meters. The reflectometer operates in the frequency range from about 4 GHz to 10 GHz and employs mode selective launchers. This paper discusses the operational aspects of the system as well as methods for clutter (fake reflection) elimination and procedures for cross-checks in case of a suspected obstacle or other fault