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Originally Posted by Theseus
J_P, there are obviously many places in the R-T Examiner manual that talk about the importance of the antenna, the length and the tuning by adjusting the antenna length to the various desired frequencies of operation.
From these references, one would have to suppose the antenna is functioning in a manner that is totally electronic in nature; coupling, receiving and transmitting real frequencies. This operation would be completely contrary to the long antenna arm of a simple dowsing rod, which essentially operates as a swinging weight to emphasize and respond to an ideomotor input from the operator. In essence, the long arm of the dowsing rod swings and indicates the force of gravity. (nothing electronic going on at all)
Assuming the antenna on the Examiner is, according to the manual, operating in a totally electronic nature, I would be remiss if I did not point out to you, one very important parameter of short whip antennas.
That is; the maximum signal strength of any antenna of this nature, will always occur at 90 degrees to the physical length dimension of the antenna. In other words, the strongest signal transmitted (or received) will occur broadside to the antenna. Thus, saying that the tip of the antenna of the device is being drawn to the target by magnetic properties, is actually contrary to how the electronic properties of a short whip antenna operate.
Could it be that it is just another indicator of gravity?  |
Hi Theseus,
I am familiar with antenna theory and how a 1/4 wave whip antenna works. Keep in mind that we are looking for targets in the near field, which does not behave the same as far field wave propagation.
Apparently the Examiner is not functioning as a 1/4 wave whip antenna. I can't pretend to understand the exact principle how it functions. But I can tell you how the manufacturer explains it. They recognize there is considerable debate regarding the real explanation for locating power of LRLs in general, as we see in your post. But they consider the answer to be in the physics of magnetic currents, resonant frequency and coil principles e.g. induction. They say the coil antenna within the unit can amplify the frequency of the target once it detects it, provided you have set the target frequency at the calculator. (I presume this is caused by a resonant circuit utilizing a coil inside the Examiner enclosure). On being amplified by the circuitry inside the Examiner the magnetic laws govern its disposition for it to align with the target's direction.
This information is taken from the current Examiner manual. After reading what you are asserting, I can agree that normal RF transmissions behave as you said at far field distances. But the principles explained in the Examiner manual are not exactly describing far field RF transmissions or even near field transmissions. Well, maybe near field, but the principle they explain is not pure RF propagation. You have to wonder about polarization and field strength when looking at the near field effects of a resonant circuit that derives it's power by inductively picking up clocking pulses sensed through the air from a 3 volt calculator. Perhaps some of the power comes from the operator's body charge which is said to be capacitively coupled to the Examiner, and is completing a ground circuit. Or maybe some of the power comes from another source we have not noticed yet.
But there is also a non-RF part of the explanation: "magnetic laws govern its disposition for it to align with the target's direction".
I really don't know how this happens. The antenna is chrome plated brass, and I don't know of any electric currents strong enough to cause the Examiner to swing, regardless of what coils might be inside. All I can say is I don't understand the magnetic laws that cause the Examiner to swing toward the target. Perhaps there is more current moving through some internal coils than I can imagine.
What I see is two elements of operation that I don't understand. But it is clear the principle the Rangertell manual describes is not the same as ordinary 1/4 wave RF reception. And it is not totally electronic in nature, unless you consider the magnetic force and chemical-derived charges from your body to be electronic.
hmmm....
I suppose these are electronic in most ways. Only the "body charge" part is not contained within the Examiner enclosure. So the Examiner cannot function without a live operator holding it in his right hand and standing on the ground according to the Rangertell manual. It seems the Examiner is not a fully contained electronic locator. It requires the addition of a live operator who is usually suitable to complete the electronics. But sometimes the operator won't work correctly (operators who are left-handed or biologically impaired to have the wrong body charge).
This is where the differentiation becomes sketchy to me...
If a human operator holding the Examiner in his right hand is necessary to detect the same signals that dowsers find, then where do we draw the line between dowsing and electronic?
The only answer I can think of that explains how the Examiner is different from dowsing is what I read in the manual, indicating the Examiner serves to tune the antenna to a very precise frequency as opposed to dowsing rods which are not tuned.
Best wishes,
J_P