T&L Publications

A question for those who have been around for a few years , there was a project in one of the early mags about making a parabolic microphone. Just wondering if anyone remebers it and has a copy of the project. Thanks for now........

I do not remember the article, and was never able to keep old magazines.

Is there a particular aspect you need help with?

To get same bandwidth as wired telephone system (300 HZ to 3400Hz) you will need a dish 1.3 meters (51.5 inches) in diameter

Cheers,

Was that he one where they used a "DISH Network" dish for the reflector? If so, I'll look and see if I have it in the ones I have downloaded. I would have it if it was paper print, but those are put away somewhere that I'd have to take on an archaeological dig to find it otherwise.

I think he is talking about this article in Nuts&Volts: https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/the_big_ear

But, I think there was one article back in the 90's also.
Only I don't have any of my old mag's any more, so I'm not certain.
And I only transferred 1999 to 2004 mag's to CD's, and I'm pretty certain none of them have that article.


Signed: Janitor Tzap

Even if that is not the article (link in Janitor Tzap's post) I recommend reading it and the side bars (which are actually following bars).

Cheers,

This is probably the one I remember. I think the hardest thing to get will be the parabolic reflector, though a search on AliExpress will produce something suitable at a reasonable price.

grab you an old 8ft fiberglass dish....lol.. mount the mic. right where the feed horn went to.
seen a demo at a science fair before,, was impressive..

Hey, give this one a look.
https://www.videomaker.com/article/f20/ ... -mic-dish/
The guy uses a plastic trash can lid.



Signed: Janitor Tzap

And here's a couple to choose from on Instructables:
https://www.instructables.com/search/?q ... ojects=all

Trash can lid "looks" circular instead of parabolic. (better than nothing I suppose.)((and easy to get ))

? where is lorence ?

Do any old-timers remember a Popular Science parabolic microphone project from the early issues? Any chance someone has a copy of the plans? Can anyone answer my question? I will be very helpful

old small satellite dish ?

There was one, many years ago, that used a parabolic dish you could get from Edmund Scuenrific. Yeah, that'll never happen. You would be best off going with a newer version, possibly using an Ikea bowl for the reflector. The rest is all generally the same parts they've been for years.

According to Wikipedia, Edmund Scientific "sorta" became Scientifics Online. see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Sc ... orporation

Google search for Scientifics Online gave https://www.scientificsonline.com

Search there for parabolic dish gave:
https://www.scientificsonline.com/produ ... lectors-12

Due to wavelength range of sound, larger is better. Suggest 24 inch might work.

"Any old" bowl or dish shape will not focus incoming waves (radio or sound). "Any old" bowl may (by accident) be almost parabolic, and do some good; and would block rear and side waves.

Cheers,

Wow!
$80 dollars just for the small 12" reflector from Scientifics Online!

You can get a complete Parabolic Microphone unit off of Amazon for less.
https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Scient ... gI4o_D_BwE

You would be better off going with the plastic garbage can lid design.
Or, as dacflyer suggested.
Use an old 18" Satellite Dish that someone was going to get rid of in the trash.
{Been seeing a lot of them showing up at the local scrap yards.}
That is, if your still wanting to DIY it.


Signed: Janitor Tzap