EXPERIMENT WITH SHORT WAVES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21506, 22 June 1935, Page 16

EXPERIMENT WITH SHORT WAVES

REFLECTION FROM MOON'S SURFACE FAILURE THROUGH POOR CONDITIONS An experiment with wireless waves of an extremely low wave-length, in the form of an attempt to send a fivemi tre wave to the moon and receive a reflection of the wave at the transmitting station, Avas made on June 10 by Mr Stuart G. Kingan, of Mayfleld. Preparations had been made for the experiment for some months, but conditions were unfortunately not as favourable as had been expected. ThCj experiment was unsuccessful. > Mr Kingan, who is studying for the degree of Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago, has already conducted several experiments with the earth's "heavisphere," the upper layer of the atmosphere which wireless waves do not ~s a rule penetrate. He is convinced that it is worth while to attempt to penetrate this layer with a beam which may find its way to the moon and back again. The value of the results of the experiments is believed to depend on the accurate timing of the arrival of the beams.

Account of the Experiment The following account of the experiment has been supplied:— "The preparations were put back for several days owing to the power being cut off by the snowstorm. With the snow lying round about, and the air and everything moist, it was found impossible to insulate the high voltage leads required for the operation of the high-powered trrnsmitter, which had been thoroughly tested inside and was working quite satisfactorily. It was possible to use only a low-powered transmitter, with a power of about 20 watts, or one-tenth of that from the large transmitter. "Again, through the snow up-coun-try, it was impossible to take the eceiving apparatus to Lidce Heron, where it would have been shielded by hills both from direct reception of the transmitted beam and from interference from power lines. So the transmitter had to be switched off before it was possible to listen for any reflections. Thus no reflections from the heaviside layer or any close objects would be picked up on account of their very small time lag after the transmitted signal. The Attempt

"The attempt was made at 11.40 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, when the conditions were most desirable for the penetration of the earth's heaviside layer. It was near the middle of winter, when the layer is at its weakest and highest for the year, and near the time of night when the layer is weakest, The sights on the beam aerial wire were set on the moon first, and then at various places round about it to allow for possible deflections of the wave, but on no occasion was the reflection picked up. "During the experiment and its preprrations Mr Kingan received valuable assistance from Mr H. Scott, of Christchurch, Mr A. Samuel, of Dunedin, and particularly Mr Bruce Howden, of Mayfield, at whose home the, apparatus was set up. Mr Rowden' constructed the beam aerial r.sed in the experiment. It is proposed to make another rttempt at the experiment next winter, when conditions will again be suitable. In the meantime research to improve the efficiency of the proposed apparatus will be carried out. Mr Kingan is satisfied that (he experiment is possible if conducted under good conditions with efficient apparatus and rersonably high nower, and that once it has succeeded information of great scientific valuei will follow. If permission is obtained to exceed the licensed power of ZL3GD. Mr Kingan's own transmitting station, it is likely that a transmitter with a power of one ,kilow tt or more will be used for the next attempt"