How often will this be used with MER? Will there just be a test or two or will it get as much use as Odyssey?

No plans to use it at all is what I heard in press confs. First time it will be used is with Phoenix.

Part of me thinks it would be nice to use it during aerobraking, as they could have some good long passes then - but I can understand why they'd want to focus specifically on just getting aerobraking done properly.

To test the UHF systems, they usually use Stanfords UHF dish.

Doug