News Briefs
August 1958 Radio-Electronics

August 1958 Radio-Electronics [Table of Contents] Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio-Electronics, published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

Joseph Ryerson (see 1976 award), of the Griffiss AFB Air Development Laboratory was thinking in 1958 when this Radio-Electronics article appeared about a method for exploiting gravitational waves for communication purposes long before they were finally detected for the first time in 2015. Even today, however, we are nowhere near being able to control gravity waves. In fact, an Earth-based system is unlikely to ever be developed due to the extraordinarily long wavelength of various kinds of gravity waves with periods measured in minutes, hours, days, hours, weeks, and longer. Space-based sun-orbiting interferometer satellite pairs (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna - LISA) are in the planning stage to more accurately measure gravity wave. I wonder if Mr. Ryerson was/is around to witness the gravitational wave detection? Another major topic was the DIANA Moon Radar project where the Army Signal Corps offered to send QSL cards to amateur radio operators who reported picking up the signals bounced off the lunar surface. Doing so not only encouraged the sport, but information provided regarding location, time of day, frequency (Doppler shift), and signal strength assisted the Army Sign Corps in assessing their network of Mini-track stations.

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News Briefs

Use of Gravitational Waves for a wireless communication substitute for radio is being explored by Joseph L. Ryerson, chief of the Advanced Development Laboratory, Rome, Air Development Center, Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome, N.Y.

The proposal is still in the theory stage, no equipment having been built. Key to the system would be gravitational coupling between oscillating masses. Ryerson gave the example of a lead ball vibrating at a given rate in a frictionless bearing. Its gravitational field should cause a "receiver" ball of the same mass to vibrate at the same rate.

"Moon Dxing" is being encouraged by the Army Signal Corps, which sends the QSL card shown here to listeners who report picking up radar signals bounced from the moon. The signals, beamed from Fort Monmouth, N. J., by the Signal Corps and the US Naval Research Laboratories, are on the US satellite frequency of 108 mc and are transmitted for the purpose of calibrating far-flung Mini-track receiving stations. The Fort Monmouth transmitter aims 1.2 megawatts of radiated power at the moon from a 50-foot parabolic antenna.

The 108-mc transmissions start 2 hours before the moon reaches its highest point, and last for 6 hours - but not on a daily schedule, because of the possibility of interference with transmissions from satellites on the same frequency. Diana signals are usually CW, but are occasionally frequency-modulated with an identification message in International Code. Pulse-modulated and CW signals are also transmitted at 151.11 mc in connection with other moon-bounce research.

The 108-mc Jersey bounce has been received in Germany and South America. An extremely sensitive receiver and directional antenna are required. Amateurs who pick us this 1/2-million mile dx should send a listener's card to Diana, c/o Radio-electronics, 154 W. 14th St., New York 11, N. Y. The information will be forwarded to the Signal Corps moon radar project and will be acknowledged with a QSL card.

Voice-modulated signals have been bounced from the moon and received halfway around the earth without appreciable loss of quality by University of Michigan researchers working under an Air Force contract. This marked improvement over previous transmissions, according to preliminary reports, was due to use of very short wavelengths (about 1 inch). Success of these experiments has led to predictions that commercial use of the moon for intercontinental communications is only a few years away.

Posted July 23, 2021