Lobster Compasses
Kirt's Cogitations™ #114

RF Cafe University "Factoids," "Kirt's Cogitations," and "Tech Topics Smorgasbord" are all manifestations of my ranting on various subjects relevant (usually) to the overall RF Cafe theme. All may be accessed on these pages:

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Lobster Compasses

You've heard of homing pigeons, but how about homing lobsters? Researchers have recently discovered that the Caribbean spiny lobster has an uncanny homing ability. There is an apparent sensing of the earth's magnetic field, because even when the lobster is far removed from its place of origin, it immediately heads on a bearing that will take it home. The theory has been tested by noting that inserting magnets, with powers similar to the earth's own, near the lobster throws off the homing ability. If the local magnetic field is adjusted to match that of the "known" location, the lobster will take off toward the simulated homeland. This is quite a feat for an invertebrate, which is generally considered to be amongst the lowest of life forms (politicians, lawyers, etc.).

LadyBug Technologies (RF power sensors) - RF Cafe Website

RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived...