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Re: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] hull test



Dan and Ian are correct...microwaves will not penetrate water.  That's why you can't use a GPS in a sub.  The majority of PSUBS that have communications us a system that is based on ultrasonic sound waves.  I have scuba comm gear which operates at 32.768 khz USB.  The only RF communication that is possible with submarines is based on very low frequency RF (VLF) where antennas are miles long.  This method is used mostly by the military to communicate with their submarines.
 
Hope this sheds some light on the communications subject.  Sorry I can't provide more details but am currently buried at work.
 
Al Secor  ARS: WA3PWX  Scuba Instructor SSI PDIC TDI
http://www.geocities.com/SubDiverI
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan H.
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 10:29 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] hull test

Bill,  Paul,
 
I don't think microwaves are used in underwater communication, but I'm not positive.  For local communicating acoustic equipment is used.  It is like radio communication but instead of an electrical radio frequency carrier, it uses a high frequency sound wave carrier.  Mechanical not electrical, or sound wave not electrical wave,
 
For a deep water test, if I ever had to do another, I'd use a line for safety and to control decent, but also a simple two wire cable connected to a magnetic drop weight system.  Something simple, controlled with a dry cell in a plastic bag or something as simple as that.  No need to get fancy but a magnetic release with actual wires to the surface would be best.   
 
In large subs they do usually test manned since a leak, or anything that is fixable, is dealt with as the test is in progress.  Also I remember reading somewhere that strain gauges are placed in critical parts on the hull to monitor its performance.  These need to be tended to and monitored.  They just pilot it down and watch to see what is happening.
 
Dan H.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:39 PM
Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] hull test

Boy I like Bill's idea of remote control of a few key systems.  Why not attach an umbilical for ballast control, leak detectors and maybe an internal camera?  One downside of a wire would be coming up with the 300-1000 feet of cable needed.  But you'd have, in effect, a super-size ROV with optional human cargo.  ;-)

Paul

On 10/26/05, Akins <lakins1@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
Your below post got me to wondering Dan.
 
Since we use microwave transmissions for underwater communications, why couldn't microwave transmissions
 
be used to activate a remote control in a sub the size of Carsten's so that a test line would only be there for making
 
sure the sub did not drift away and for a secondary backup. Would the microwave transmissions go thru the hull and
 
the remote could be rigged to activate the ballast pumps so the sub could surface after the test depth and time were reached?
 
Would this be feasible or practical?
 
Bill.
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan H.
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 8:12 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] hull test

Silky,

A sub hull is a lot of money and work to loose if you lower it to the bottom
for a test on a line, with no person in it, but it's the safest way to test
a personal sub.  Of course testing in a pressure chamber would be even
better but most small sub builders don't have or can't afford this luxury.
Even with the risk of loosing the sub because of a simple line malfunction,
a deep water test of the hull should be done unmanned.  After all, it's a
test to see if you'll be safe diving in it.

A sub the size of Carsten's is not in this category.  I can only imagine the
feeling in Carstan's gut when he does his tests, manning it himself.  I have
a lot of faith is the calculating skills of a man that can design and build
such a project and I'm sure he's pretty confident he will have no problems
he can't solve as he goes, but we all know there is considerable risk
involved.

P-subs should only be test proven unmanned!
Dan H.
----- Original Message -----