Heliography

(Communicating with Mirrors)

by James Riddle - KD7AOI


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Homemade Heliographs

Below are photos of heliographs and accessories built by enthusiastic heliographers.

Chris Brown, 40 years old, admittedly not a wood craftsman, built this Hg from modern materials.  See "Build Your Own Hg" for more information. Henri Jacob, F6GTC, of France, built this Hg, from old plans written in German. 

 

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    Tom Kosel's 8" heliograph "Station Model" is made of wood, but works like a champ.  Sun mirror on left, station mirror on right, and closed "screen" in middle.  Note adjustable tripods.

     Doug Howser's heliograph includes two USMC surplus geared mirrors, screen with six slats, a cast tripod bar mount, and two homemade tripods.

 

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     John Alcorn, VK2JWA of New South Wales, Australia with his 22-inch "Heliomax".  The telescope is mounted as an aiming device.  Also note the 5" Mance with its sight, tripod and case in foreground.  Check out more of Heliograph photos from down under at http://au.photos.yahoo.com/hamradio_au.

    Varsity Scouts using a 24" folding heliograph made from four 12" mirrors.  Also, they are practicing with their handheld mirrors.  For their latest events, see "What's New", and to contact groups see "Related Sites".

 

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   Author's RidKo (Riddle/Kosel) 3" Backpack heliograph.  It is pictured here with a straight sight, the projection of which is seen on the closed screen.  Sun is in front (to the left) of the heliograph.  Both the heliograph and screen are mounted on common photo/video tripods.  Range with this size instrument is at least 30 miles on a bright Arizona day.  Construction is of hardwood, aluminum and brass.

   Same heliograph, but using a duplex (or station) mirror; projection of the unsilvered sun spot on the mirror can be seen on the closed screen.  Sun is behind (to right) of the Hg.  Photos were  taken during a solo practice session using 3" reflectors on opposite sides of the heliograph.  The screen is operated by flipping the brass lever located on its right side (dark spot is a rubber thumb pad).

 

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     Author's signaling mirror made from 3"x4"x3/16" plate glass from which a 1/4" spot was scratched from the silvering on its reverse.  I found center by drawing lines from diagonals, and used punched out plastic for drawing circle.  Scribe was tip of very sharp paring knife.  You may want to duct-tape edges and back. Signaling done by casting shadow spot on finger nail aligned with target.  Note that reflected image at 20 yards or so is round, not the shape of the mirror! This area available for your description.