Question 377: Which device of WW1 had a "six-string-harp"?(Sound ranging stations)

Sound ranging stations :
Basic equipment setup
A scientific method of sound ranging system requires the following equipment.

  • An array of 4 to 6 microphones extending several kilometres
  • A system capable of measuring the sound wave arrival time differences between the microphones.
  • A means of analyzing the time differences to compute the position of the sound source.
The basic method is to use microphones in pairs and measure the difference in the time of arrival of a sound wave at each microphone in the pair (inner microphones are members of two pairs). From this a bearing to the origin of the sound can be found from the point mid-way between the two microphones. The intersection of at least three bearings will be the location of the sound source.

Figure 1 illustrates the basic system.



Illustration of the Sound Ranging Operation
Some systems may not allow arbitrary placement of the microphones. For example, they may require the microphones to be placed on a straight line.[1] These constraints would be imposed to simplify the calculation of the artillery position and are not a characteristic of the general approach.

The microphones also may be designed to pick up only the sound of the gun firing. There are three types of sounds that can be picked up by the microphone.


  • the gun firing (the desired signal)
  • the sound of the shell moving through the air
  • the impact of the shell
During World War I it was discovered that the gun firing makes a low rumbling sound that is best picked up with a microphone that is sensitive to low frequencies and rejects high frequencies.[2


Some called it the Tucker Sound ranging stations....
http://geographicalimaginations.com/tag/soundscape/
 
That was fast! Numberz is absolute right. Well done.

Thank you for the link. Didn´t know this site. Very well made! A must-read if you are interested in WW1.

I choose this question to feature a very interesting site about "Technology for Artillery Location in the British Army". There you can download a nice article that covers the development between 1914 - 1970.

http://www.royalsignals.org.uk/articles/SRS/srs.html#pix
 
I first thought of something to do with planes....then researched harps... and it on artillery sounds....then to the site I posted . Seems like us Canadians used it a fair bit.
 
I must also say I have more time on my hands then normal. I am home because I will be having a Colonoscopy on Monday and I am now in the process of watching the computer and bathroom runs....this better be worth it...I say it's just not right...not natural I tell you.
 
That Numberz is amazing... so much for the cold air slowing down the brain... :)
 
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