Heliography
(Communicating with Mirrors)
by James Riddle - KD7AOI
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Heliography (Communicating with Mirrors) by James Riddle - KD7AOI
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Guests' Comments The author's apology for not having posted comments since July, 2004. Data, especially emails, were lost as a result of two major computer crashes. Attempts are being made to recover at least some of the lost data. Also, organizing the data for webposting is quite time consuming. jhr May 8, 2005. Jim White Hudson, N. H. (Hudson, FL) K1EXE 08 Jul 2004 I was just sitting here watching "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" on TV, and got to thinking about Heliograph usage in the last century..(lots of desert scenes) - I did a "Thing" on Heliographs while in Grade school, (late 1940's) and, until I read your website, I never knew about the British "Mance" units, and other "Portuguese" units.. My research (as a child) showed that heliograph communication could be carried on over 100+ mile paths, due to clearer air back then.. I am a "Ham" operator, and therefore, use Morse code to communicate, and learned Signal Flag usage in the Navy in 1957.. (as did everyone back then) I have carried a mental picture of the "ancient" Heliographs ever since school days.. The ones I remember used a long plank with pivoted square mirrors mounted on the rear, and an open frame with cross hairs stretched across on the front end. "Keying" was done with a paddle to block the light path.. Your sight is very interesting, and also I have studied the old movie "The Walking Hills" but, was somewhat disappointed with their coverage of the Heliograph, sometimes thinking that the prop man did not have a firm idea of what it was supposed to look like, or how it was to be used. Nevertheless, keep up the good work, I have wanted to build a "real" heliograph for many years, but, have pushed it aside for other things many times. I envy you your Southwest location, and it's history,..' 73 Jim White K1EXE Iain Fulton Livadia ,Tilos walkertilos Greece 18 Apr 2004 Not a comment more of an enquiery. Excellent site, and very informative, you really know your stuff. The question I hope you may be able to answer is, do you know if the Italien occupation forces in Greece ever used heliographs? My wife and I live on a small Greek island called Tilos, where we take people on guided walks. On one of the higher peaks they built a military communications station around 1932 and we are told that this used wireless and heliograghy systems but can find no further information despite hours trawling the internet. Hope you can clear this up. Best wishes with your site. IainMaj. Patrick Sheehan Perry, Utah 07 Jul 2003 Hello, I have just become interested in the operational use of the heliograph as a topic for a Command and General Staff College paper (I am a reserve officer currently on active duty). I have found this website to be quite fascinating and would like to get on your email list. I have also become interested in acquiring an actual heliograph. Any suggestions as to where to look? I have seen a few on ebay but due to my schedule haven't been near the computer near end of auction and have always been outbid. Many thanks. Pat Sheehan [I find eBay to be the most reliable, continuing source of heliographs, mostly the Mark V, a model patterned after Sir Henry Mance's original 1870s patented model. Yes, there usually is a bidding scramble in the last couple of minutes, so most early bidding only tends to raise the price. Hang in there, and good luck to you....... Jim] ****************************************** Tom Shaughnessy Richardson TX 06 Jul 2003 Back when I was 15 years old(1958) my best friend and I each purchased a British Mk V 5" heliograph at Earl Swendson's Gunshop on Harlem Ave. Chicago, Il. Earl Had about 20 brand new instruments in their original leather cases with tripods priced at $10.00 complete. My friend and I thought they were about as "cool" a thing as we had ever seen! Earl held our choices on "layaway" for several weeks until we were able to mow enough lawns to pay them off. My friend and I lived on the same street but 7 blocks apart. After figuring out how the "key" worked we each set ours up on the sidewalk in front of our house. After some "fiddling" we were successfully exchanging flashes. Neither of us knew any Morse (and still don't) but we never the less felt we were great successes. I�ve lost contact with my friend over the years so I don't know if he still cherishes his Mk V. I've kept mine locked away and have set it up at different times over the years for each of my four kiddos hoping they would appreciate a truly "cool" thing...the outcome of these exposures remains to be seen. This is a really terrific site..nice work! ****************************************** Edward
Zeranski
Jun 30, 2003
(e-mail)
James, I'd hoped to catch
you at Ft. Tuthill but it looks my work will
have me on the road. We did have some helio-fun at the West Coast Military Radio
Collector's Group annual get-together thanks to Bart [Rowlett] and his
gear. �. EdZ ****************************************** Ian Church England 23 Jun 2003 Hello James, excellent web site. I belong to a Victorian history group here in England, our signals unit use the Heliograph in our displays [circa 1880's ]. I have a few sets of helios, including an early hand held one. I am no expert on the subject, but I do like the construction of the equipment. Would you be able to point me in the right direction to identify the Helios I have? regards Ian @@@ ****************************************** Gary
Wallace N7JZN Pleasant
Grove , Utah 22 Jun
2003 Mirror
Mirror on the wall
Who has HelioGraph info at all?
I went to the Brigham Young University library a couple years before the
Boy Scouts "On Target" mountain top mirror activity. ****************************************** Jeff Ross Phoenix AZ 16 Jun 2003 do you have any info about the station on wheeler peak near baker nevada. i think it was in operation in the 1860's [Hi Jeff, No, sorry, never heard of it. Don't believe there were any heliograph stations in operation in the west before 1880's. But after so stating, I did find information at http://www.ddgps.com/outdoor_fun/nevada-great-basin.htm regarding Wheeler Peak and other Nevada peaks being used by the USCGS beginning in 1881 as heliograph/surveying sites. So, 1860's, no, 1880's, maybe. Note: Permissions are needed for any publication of information from the aforementioned website.] ****************************************** Michael Louthan 13 Jun 2003 I'm seeking a bit of info on a heliograph I have had since I was 10-12, which was 1965 or so. I bought it at an Army Surplus store in Oklahoma. It appears to be exactly like the "Mark V Mance" listed on your site. It contains the designation 5" MK 5 and the letters W. & J.G. and, the word NIVOC inside a diamond shape. And # 822068 I have the basic unit, with the "Station Mirror". The stiff leather carrying case is in perfect condition. The unit itself is almost perfect with little wear. I'd just like to know a bit more about it. I have some pictures I could e-mail if you like. And any information you might share would be appreciated. [Mike, unfortunately I have almost no information on the dating and manufacturing location of the Mark V and its predecessors. But, hopefully, there is someone out there that can help us.] ****************************************** Michael Barnwell New York City, NY 11 May 2003 Thank you for creating this website. I recently came across a heliograph displayed in nautical supply store window and was intrigued with the instrument. I knew nothing about the history of the instrument, but was simply drawn to the beauty of its design. Having once been a surveyor for a brief time in the oil fields of Louisiana, I was even more drawn to it having learned about its signalling function. I would very much like to purchase an authentic, antique heliograph, and was wondering if you could help me in my search. I was interested mainly in the two-mirror circular-shaped style (is this the Mark V Mance I saw on the site?). Any help you could provide would be appreciated. I live in New York City, so proximity would be a concern, but not a limitation. Thank you Sincerely, Michael Barnwell [I find eBay to be the only reliable, continuing source of heliographs, mostly the Mark V (as you described), a model patterned after Sir Henry Mance's original 1870s patented model as described in my website. There usually is a bidding scramble in the last couple of minutes, so most early bidding only tends to raise the price. Often they are offered by "northeasterners", but at no particular advantage in the U.S. [Interestingly, Mike, I was also a surveyor; with USN Seabees in early 50s. Surveying is a helpful background for using the heliograph...Jim]. ****************************************** Jack Hammen Prescott KC6TRX 09 May 2003 Jim I did not know that you had "immortalized" me on the internet until today. Jack KC6TRX [Jack, consider yourself twice "immortalized".] ****************************************** Miles Swarthout Playa del Rey, California 05 Apr 2003 Dear James Riddle! -- I changed my email address after a move last fall, so I lost track of your for awhile. But you should know that my new Western novel set against the backdrop of Gen. Nelson Miles's new heliograph network in the Apache War of 1886 is now out in the bookstores or available from Barnes & Noble on-line. The Sergeant's Lady is getting great reviews, which can be found on Amazon on-line, or on our literary website, www.glendonswarthout.com . This whole novel is about the heliographs, and I believe it is the first Western to use this new signal network in the Army as the backdrop for its story, in this case a romance between a divorced rancher's sister and a Sergeant of Scouts, who is placed in charge of one of these sites ringing the Sulphur Springs Valley not too far from Ft. Bowie while he recuperates from a leg wound. The plot should remind one a little of Louis L'Amour's first and best novel, Hondo, which starred John Wayne and Geraldine Page (an Oscar nominee for Best Actress in this fine film) back in 1950... And please keep up your fine educational program about the heliographs and Arizona's fascinating military history. ****************************************** Karemera Alphonse 04 Apr 2003 A friend of mine came to me and asked me about an instrument called Heliograph (Cassella London MK.III.A) and told me" can you please tell me what this instrument does, its price "I then broused from internet and got this website but until now I haven't yet found sufficient information of that type of heliograph. I would please ask you, if possible to give me the necessary informations on it (its use,price, manufacturer,etc) Waiting for your response, I thank you. ****************************************** Petra
Henderson 2
Apr 2003 Newsletter editor, acting Secretary and
Historian of the Royal Signals Organisation UK, a closed membership non-profit
veterans group set up for serving and ex-members of the Britsh Royal Corps of
Signals. http://www.royal-signals.org.uk
Hello
James,
Thank you for your kind permission to
use your photo, and the offer to link the on-line version of the data-sheet from
your group once it has been created... Very kind.
Also thank you for your compliments on the compilation, nice
to hear, then it is not just a datasheet or history document, but should be a
bit of fun and interesting to read, so as not to be too dry... Odd Humour is my
speciality! ;-) ...
I am sure that amoung your Heliography fans, you will have the occasional
ex-forces member who may like to be pointed in the direction of the Royal
Signals Org website, and look forward to periodic contacts... Thanks again, 73s
and 88s
Petra
[Their site on �Heliography� is at http://www.royal-signals.org.uk/indexes/datasheets_index.htm
and
on �CHAPTER
IV THE HELIOGRAPH (PAGE 48 OF THE 1905 SIGNALLING HANDBOOK)�
at http://www.royal-signals.org.uk/datasheets/heliograph01_p01.htm
. BTW, I listed the Royal
Signals website sometime back under �Related Links� and, I believe �Events
Photos� �� Jim] ****************************************** MikeGreenfield
N9JIY
Jackson, WI 19 Mar 2003 ....I just finished building my first helio & it seems to
work very well! Used
"self-aiming liferaft type" mirror I got for $6 + $10 in simple oak
parts & brass hardware. Made w handtools only, but looks pretty gud
anyway. Sits on $19 Walmart camera
tripod. Keys like a dream at wat feels like abt 10wpm.
I hauling it to ham club mtgs & fests to stir up interest cuz need op on
other end of helio QSO! I get son to shoot digital pics &
snd ****************************************** David
Vleck KA3SNY Baltimore, MD
11 Mar 2003
Hello, Jim.
-- I'm a friend of Fred, N7PJN. He suggested that I send you an e-mail
regarding a heliograph that I saw in a Randolph Scott movie some weeks
ago. My father and I enjoy watching western movies on the Western Channel, via
satellite. While awaiting for the movie we intended to watch, we
tuned into a Randolph Scott movie
in progress. After researching the name of the movie
via the Internet Movie Database, I finally found the title..........The
Walking Hills (1949)....about treasure hunters seeking a
wagon load of gold buried in Death
Valley. I won't bore you with the
details, since I only caught the end of the movie anyway. But the
character played by John Ireland, used a portable heliograph
to signal a compatriot in the desert scene. The heliograph was
basically mounted on a short "board", perhaps a foot to a foot and a
half long. It had the mirror mounted on the user end.... with the signal
shutters in the middle... and a sort of "front sight", for want of a
useful description, on the other end, with a sort of aperture or ball on a short
post, like one would use for an aiming device as on a rifle. The
heliograph was perhaps about 6" in height. It was difficult to get
good feature details from the brief movie scenes, but that gives you an idea of
what it was like. I also got the impression the unit was collapsible to a
degree, since the character had it buried in one scene in some sort of smaller
sack. I don't know if you can research this at all......and I don't know if you
can somehow view the movie
yourself. But from the info Fred has sent me on your
activities with the heliograph demonstrations, I was able to identify the
movie prop as a heliograph immediately. [David, I found a really washed out copy of �Walking
Hills� on eBay. The Hg, shown
about 45 minutes in, is an �American Service Model�, but situation (in hand,
in sand) is totally off the wall. I
think that most folks interested in the Hg may be interested in picking up a
copy, although I think it put me to sleep a half-dozen times before I finished
it. Many thanks, Jim] ******************************************
MikeGreenfield/N9JIY 27 Feb 2003 I've got my camera tripod & a "self-aiming" signaling mirror to homebrew a helio. Can you refer me to any descriptions, pix, dwgs, etc of successful homebrew helios using these?? Also, anything re helios using plastic CDs as mirrors?? Tnx! PS: I get to PHX x2/yr, maybe give you a holler sumtime! ****************************************** Don Steven Minneapolis MN 25 Feb 2003 Nice site, with a lot of good information. Do you know where I could buy an original hg? Or do you know anyone who has exact plans for building one? I became interested in heliographs when I was stationed at Fort Huachuca in 1959, and I saw a good article in Arizona Highways on their use in the Indian Wars. I think low-technology is way underrated. Thanks. ****************************************** Rachel Matthews London, UK 11 Feb 2003 Hi, I am desperately trying to find 20 pocket heliographs for an expedition in Namibia in April. I work for a television company & we are taking a group of children to work with endangered black rhinos in the desert. I cannot find a manufacturer anywhere, please could you help me??? I am London based. Many Thanks, Rachel Matthews. [Note: Ms Matthews soon found the need pocket heliographs � Jim] ****************************************** ****************************************** January 16, 2003 ESME
GLEESON ****************************************** January 15, 2003 Jay Miller
WA5WHN Albuquerque, New Mexico ****************************************** January 5, 2003 Nancy Newton
Washington DC ****************************************** December 21, 2002 John Blocher
Cincinnati, Ohio Reply: John, I agree with you regarding the importance of the handheld mirror for emergency signaling, and have a collection of several. However, as you say, the theme of the website deals primarily with "intelligent", two-way (usually) communications between stations. Often, signaling a position in front of you and the sun behind you becomes impossible with a single mirror, which makes me wonder, why not try out a second mirror with, say, a 1/4" white dot at its center? I'm sure such an arrangement would at least occasionally flash the target. See Chuck Bowan's entry of October 18, 2002 below…Jim Riddle
****************************************** October 21, 2002 John W.Alcorn, VK2JWA LISMORE, New South Wales, Australia Hi Jim (Riddle), Tom, Leith, Rob, John I finished today
a small accessory I have had in mind for some time for my Helio equipment. This is a
"Training Mirror" to assist in practicing or demonstrating the Helio. It is a
convex mirror used as a target to observe the signal flashes. This has several
advantages over a plane mirror or other targets. It does not have to be accurately aligned
for the observer to see the flashes. The bright flash is reduced in intensity and size so
creating an illusion of distance. The flash is still distinctive but can be observed by a
group up to about 40 degrees off the centreline. The mirror used
is a 135mm (5") adhesive type for fitting on a flat mirror. It cost about $2.50 at
any auto accessory supplier. This size is completely illuminated by the beam of the
5" Mk V Helio. Removing the self-adhesive pads, they are not reliable; I fitted a
back plate with a 6.5mm spigot. This mounts on my
Stand, Insts, No21, MkV and, with an adaptor, Stand, Inst. No14, Mk II. 1915. These Stands
will also mount the Duplex Helio mirror if wished. Others would make fittings to suit the
stands they are using. I also fitted a small sighting tube for easier alignment but this
is not 73, Jim Riddle, Prescott AZ ****************************************** October 2, 2002
+/- Roger Dewhurst Rotorua, New Zealand.
Hello, I found your page when looking for
information on heliographs. I want to be able
to aim light from a mirror at an electronic detector on a kite. I would be very grateful for any suggestions you
can make. The kite is a fishing kite and may
be 400 metres away. I can design an
electronic circuit which will drop the hooks and bait if I can aim the beam adequately. Bill
Plumpe writes: If he just wants to send the kite a flash, I
suggest that he look for one of the WWII liferaft signaling mirrors. They have some
type of reflecting layer in the center view hole that gives the user a light spot on
the object that the beam is aimed at. I have
one, and it is really remarkable how they highlight the target. I haven't completely
figured it out. Anyway, they are only about the size of a playing card so he can
carry one in a pocket. BTW, the graphics you are using with your emails cause blank
spots in the copy. Playing with the image, such as clicking "select all"
and scrolling helps but it acts like there was an invisible image covering the writing. Bob
Rosevear, WB7RRQ: This guy just has way to much time on his hands! John
Goldfinch: Received your E to Ben F. Ridge informing us all
of your change of web address and incidentally of the HG fishing poser. Did your replies
include the double-sided mirror with the bare centre spot for sighting or the Robertson
emergency helio, courtesy of John Alcorn?
I
have tried a double-sided metal mirror in which I drilled a hole which worked well,
also a ladies handbag mirror using a corner for sighting rather than a centre
hole/bare patch. I have taken the liberty of attaching a diagram to show the principle
just in case this method has previously escaped the net of your interest. [John included an illustration including the use
of the hand-mirror, an eye, and Roger’s kite] Jack Hammen, KC6TRX, I suggest the use of a photocell
activated release mechanism attached to the kite. Adjust
so ambient light does not activate, but flash from mirror does. Radio control sounds more practical, but it's not
solar. ****************************************** October 18, 2002 I
ran across this site while looking for heliograph info. I think I hit the jackpot.
I hope (the following) helps...Chuck Bowen
Signal
Corps Association Reenactors Division (SCARD) Posted
By: Walt Mathers on: 10/17/2002 22:49:17 MDT
Subject: Civil War Era Heliograph Question, Reply To
Message Detail: Reply: Many thanks, Chuck. So, it does appear that both sides may have used hand mirrors for signaling. But, there still is no obvious evidence of using an instrument with some way of interrupting the sun beam into flashes for a code, as with a heliograph. Jim ****************************************** Oct 12,
2002 ****************************************** Sept. 08, 2002 Charles Bowen North Dakota Hi Tom [Kosel]: My name is Chuck Bowen. I ran across your heliograph on the net. I live in North Dakota, which has a very rich frontier military history. I have seen pictures in the past of military heliographers using mirrors in ND. Re-enacting is a very big thing in ND with several Cavalry units active. Custer’s 7th was stationed at Ft. Lincoln D.T. not far south of Bismarck ND.I don't believe we have any Signal Corps re-enactors, which is a shame. I would like to remedy this but, as I am at the beginning of my search, know very little about heliography. From all I've seen of heliographs, yours looks most like what I remember seeing. I would like to correspond with someone who knows the business and would appreciate any help. Reply: Thank you, Chuck, Tom Kosel forwarded your letter to me for answering, as he considers me the more “knowledgeable” on such matters (which is another way of saying that he would rather someone else handle his e-mail). It is true that Tom’s heliograph is the most similar “production” model, based on the “American” heliograph pattern available. He is considering making a smaller “Kosel Model”, say 4�” on a fixed stand of about 36” height, but needs lots of encouragement from folks like you and me to do it. Without gearing, and being made of wood, this could be a low-cost instrument available finished or in kit form, and would be perfectly suitable for reenactments or demonstrations. Tom has already made at least six larger working 8” “Kosel Service Models” [see "Homemade Hgs" on this website], and has the shop and equipment to make the smaller ones, too. Tom’s problem is that he just has two many irons (or should I say “saws”) in the fire, but maybe we can get his priorities redirected towards the heliograph once again. Hope that this has been helpful. If you haven’t already done so, you might want to take a look at the current (Summer) issue of “Military Classics Illustrated” that includes an excellent article on heliography. Good luck with your interests, and maybe you can become the first Signal Corps re-enactor in the Dakotas. It is known that the Hg (quick as mercury) saw same use in the plains, but mostly for trying it out to test its feasibility as a communications device. Jim Riddle ****************************************** Aug 13 2002
Mike Castrucow
VE7MK/VA7MPC
Hi
James I heard about you from Lynn Burlingame, N7CFO.
Met him at the
RAC Convention in Vernon BC a few weeks ago. I was showing a couple of
guys a signaling
mirror I had just made and he came over to chat. His comment was that he
didn't think he
would find someone as crazy as him at the convention. He told me about
your web site. I
have been playing with simple mirrors for many years but have also been
interested in
heliographs for quite some time. ****************************************** July 27, 2002 William Plumpe, W0ETR St. Louis, Mo. Dear Mr. Riddle, I found your web site in a search for information about heliographs. I have a Mk 5 helio in virtually new condition, but with no tripod or instructions. I have fairly well worked out the procedure and would like to correspond with others who use them and try communicating with it. Being in St. Louis, I am a bit out of range for you, but I have some friends in the Morse Telegraph Club who would help. I especially would like to find the proper tripod. I have a heavy camera tripod that I can adapt it to, but of course the original would be better. [PLUMPE CONT 8/8/02] We considered giving a helio demonstration at the National Museum of Transport's open house last weekend, but there just wasn't time to make an adapter and set it up. I can make one since I have a machine shop, but I would rather find an original tripod. For background, I have a small business manufacturing and remanufacturing electrical components for locomotives. We do other work as well, but mostly we are like a remora hanging on a shark, or the birds that clean alligator's teeth, living off crumbs from General Electric. It isn't as good a living as I could make in the corporate world, but I do have a degree of independence I couldn't have there. As to hobbies, I have had a ham license, W0ETR, since 1951 and am VP of the Antique Radio Collectors & Historians (ARCH, naturally, this is St. Louis), but I don't really collect radios, more tubes and scientific instruments, as well as anything that relates to communication. I have three display cases of such items in my living room, including a genuine South Congo talking drum. Now there would be a real demonstration, sending a message by old fashioned telegraph to a helio site and doing the third relay leg in drum talk. It is possible. Anything that can be said in Bantu can be said in drum. BTW, a couple of years ago there was an article, I think from a magazine but possibly a book, that claimed to be the most complete account of the helio activities during the indian wars on Ebay. I bid on it, but it went out of my range. Do you remember it, and did you get it? Thank You, Bill Plumpe ****************************************** May 21, 2002 Richard Hammer
Hi
James, Many many years ago heliographs were used to signal between Rottnest Island,
[Australia] and the mainland. There are pictures showing this in the Rottnest
museum. I would like to suggest to the Rottnest Historical Society that recreating a
heliograph and demonstrating it, even if only between two high points on the island, would
be a very exciting project with many benefits. ****************************************** Hi Folks, Thought you might
enjoy some recently exchanged letters between Mike Stanway of the UK, myself and John
Alcorn regarding an "artsy" heliograph Mike has planned: Dear Mr. Riddle, Some time ago I became interested
in the idea of constructing a series of windpowered, revolving (either vertically or
horizontally) heliographs. The purpose of this experiment was to set up a "visual
link" across a large area of country, i.e.. If you can see hill "a" from hill
"b" but not from hill "c" a visual link exists if you have a
heliograph on each hill. Regards, Mike Stanway
(7-7-02) Mike, What a novel idea! No reason it shouldn't work, but distance of flash will depend on the mirror's brilliance, "flatness", and size; and, most important of all, of course, meteorological condition. As you may have learned from my website, the "cone of visibility" of the reflected sun (for a flat mirror) increases at approximately 49' per mile, and the "range of visibility" is typically 10 miles per inch in diameter for a good mirror under clear conditions. The "hang time" of the reflected light will vary with the angle of the sun, but ordinarily you might expect to see the reflected flashes from one to two minutes without further adjustment of the mirror. A slightly convexed mirror will have much longer "hang time", but the length of flash will, of course, be substantially reduced. Naturally, a number of mirrors set at different angles from the vertical, as you know, will allow the flashes to be seen briefly at different times of day from any vantage point visible from the mirror. You may find the "heliotrope" website listed on my webpage, "Related Websites" of interest. Do you have "drivers" separate from the
mirrors? Of course, such a device could be solar powered, there being no
need for rotation when there is no sun, anyway…Jim in Prescott AZ, USA (7/7/02)
JIM,
Thanks for your prompt reply and all the info I don’t have any pics of the mk 1 but
my enthusiasm has been rekindled I wonder whether a multiple setup might work ie a frame
with a number of revolving mirrors within it. Actually
bike wheel hubs are a great readymade base for spinners but the science of these things
escapes me. For instance is it better to have
a flat surface revolving or flip-flopping (I'm sure that's not the right expression).
Anyway as to powering the movement of the mirrors they are directly wind powered which
works fine. Here in the UK we have a network
of triangulation pillars on hilltops all visually linked.
Each of them has a bronze theodolite mounting on top that is tapped to about a 3
inch diameter thread. As they are all no
longer in use but mostly in good condition they will suit my purposes
admirably (do you have them in the USA?). Instead
of talking about this I should do something about it.
I will do some drawings at some point and send you some photos when I
get going. I don’t know about you but I have a list of "things to do"
which is measured in light years!!! I think your site is excellent (isn’t the internet wonderful?), use any of my stuff you want for what it's worth and keep the good work up. Regards…Mike (7-9-02) Hi Mike, Interesting about the theodolite mountings in the UK. Don’t know of any here (in the USA), but maybe someone else has some information on this. I am aware of triangulation points, usually of brass, set in rock or concrete on many of the mountaintops, very common “out west”. Instruments (theodolites, heliographs, heliotropes, etc.) were set up over the points for mapping (and communicating), each tied into the other. Like the thought of your utilizing the existing 3-inch bases if possible, but wonder about their durability under heavy winds. Don’t have a
clue as to “revolving or flip-flopping”, but might want to give consideration to
both sides of glass being mirrored, and keeping your “heliograph” as simple as
possible. Stay in touch…Jim PS Mike, Having received your permission, am sending these letters on to my readers, and may post the letters to my website. Hopefully, some of the folks out there have some thoughts on your "artsy" heliograph project, and can get in touch with you at your address, mike.stanway@btinternet.com …Jim
John W.Alcorn, VK2JWA 7/14/02 (with more on "Artsy" heliograph) Hi, To create a
flashing beacon that would be mostly visible from most points
****************************************** July 5,
2002 Joe
Marques
Hi
Jim,
This is Joe in Flagstaff and I met you at Ft. Verde Days. I was
doing some research
in old Flagstaff newspapers and found something that might interest
you. In the
Arizona Weekly Champion, Saturday August 7, 1886, page 2 column 1, it
says: "A
message was recently sent by the government heliograph (signalling by
sunlight flashes)
from Fort Cummings, N.M. to Tubac, Ariz., a distance of 400 miles, and
an answer received
in four hours."
Happy
signalling! Joe ****************************************** Stan Dolan
Thursday,
5/16/02 Hello Jim, Looks like a nice web site. I am putting
together a
British Mk V and should have it done shortly. I need to strip the paint
to the brass to
make it Boer War period. I was interested to see the Boer War example on
your site having
the aiming device. First one I have seen from that period with one. ****************************************** Ed Zeranski
Thursday,
5/9/02 James, Last weekend, May 3-5, the West Coast
Military Radio
Collector's Group had our annual get together at Fort MacArthur in San
Pedro, CA.
Bart Rowlett WB6HQK had a display and demonstration of a Mance
Heliograph and various
military signal lights. For me it was one of the highlights of the meet,
I'm
hooked!!! Your site was found during a helio-search on the web. I
don't know where
I'll find an instrument so will have to dig up plans or design my own. ****************************************** Stan Rohrer,
W9FQN@Juno.com
Thursday,
4/4/02 Jim, We have a group here in San Diego
County
that likes to climb mountains and then we many times like do mirror
flashing. Our record
probably is over 90 miles now two way; we have even sent Morse Code over
much shorter
distances. ****************************************** Rick Peterson,
WA6NUT, wa6nut@arrl.net
Thursday, 3/28/02 ******************************************
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