![rafowell](/img/default-banner.jpg)
- 77
- 1 070 568
rafowell
Приєднався 23 чер 2007
Primarily videos on signal mirrors for emergency rescue, survival, and signaling.
Using a Signal Mirror Lying on Your Back, with Reflex Sight or Vee-Finger
This video was inspired by my taking issue with the 2nd to last figure in John McCann's excellent article, "Signal Mirrors for Rescue", at www.survivalresources.com/signal-mirrors-for-rescue.html John and I both recommend getting a mirror with a retroreflective (reflex) sight ( it is a LOT easier to reliably hit your target with a reflex sight). However, if you don't have one handy, or the sun to target angle is greater than about 135º, you'll need to use an alternate aiming method, like the "Vee-Finger" method covered in John's article and shown second here. If the sun is behind you, your head may block the light with any type of signal mirror unless you tilt your head really far back, lay on your back, or use a second mirror to reflect the light back to you. John's 2nd to last figure, and this video, cover the "lay on your back" option. My video is a (roughly edited) tutorial on using a signal mirror while lying on your back, and why you don't want to hold the mirror away from the line between your eye and the target, despite John's 2nd to last figure (and in a similar figure in the 1985 USAF survival manual). Those figures are contrary to John's instructions in the text of his article to: "Keep your eye, signal mirror and your outstretched fingers in a straight line", so I don't understand why John's diagram doesn't match his text. I offered to make a video showing my approach, and this is it. I contend the mirror should be held with one edge next to the line from your eye to the target when using the "Vee-finger" method, and I also contend that, to flash accurately at long distance using the "Vee-finger" method, you need to be more precise than simply putting the target midway between your fingers, and I describe and demonstrate my technique. (Note: since the camera is close to, but NOT in line with my eye, what you see is not what I see - I see the target midway between the two corners of the rectangle of light on my fingers that correspond to the corners of the edge of the mirror closest to the line from my eye to the target. Also note that the apparent width (angular width) of the reflected rectangle of light on the ceiling is much less than it appears on my fingers. At long range, the apparent width of the beam is even narrower, about 0.54º, or about 1/3 the width of one of my "Vee-fingers" - it is the apparent diameter of the full moon, or of LIncoln's head on a penny held at arm's length. This "narrower than you think" beam is the reason that precise alignment of the "Vee-Finger" method is important at long range. Yes - at close range people will see the flash even if you don't hit them with the main beam, because there is a "glow" due to mirror irregularities that is wider than the main beam, but if your rescuers are beyond shouting range (and if they are in shouting range, try shouting) your flash will be FAR more noticable if you hit them with that (very narrow, and EXTREMELY bright) main beam. The Boy Scouts and I have successfully signaled each other many times at 20+ mile range using 2"x3" glass signal mirrors.
Переглядів: 49
Відео
View from Turnout at Playground Drive, Crestline, CA
Переглядів 2111 місяців тому
This shows the view from the turnout on Playground Drive a bit west of the Crestline Glider Launch, and a bit east of Playground Drive Hill, at 34.23654º, -117.31532º 5285 ft. It is provided for those considering operating for Operation On Target from this location. Note that this location has line of sight to Morton Peak Lookout, Black Mountain Lookout, Tahquitz Lookout, Red Mountain Lookout, ...
5" Heliograph flashes at 10 mile range
Переглядів 1 тис.Рік тому
Flashes from a 5" Mance Mark V heliograph at 9.93 mile range, filmed July 15, 2023 as part of the peak-peak bi-annual signal mirror event, "Operation On-Target". (There was also a 4"x5" signal mirror on the same peak, so we're seeing a combination of flashes). Learn more about heliographs on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliograph For in-depth material on heliographs, visit the "British Hel...
10-mile Signal Mirror Flashes from Santiago Peak
Переглядів 83Рік тому
Signal Mirror flashes from Santiago Peak, filmed from Elsinore Mountains Scenic Overlook, 10 miles away, during the peak-to-peak signal mirror flashing event, Operation On Target, on July 15, 2023.
Santa Rosa Mountain West View from outside tree ring
Переглядів 172 роки тому
This is a 360º video taken from the top of Santa Rosa Mountain, just outside the tree ring, at latitude/longitude (33.53831º, -116.46207). In the beginning and the end, you can see the chimney of the stove that is top center on the summit of Santa Rosa Mountain.
Santa Rosa Mountain Top
Переглядів 712 роки тому
This is a panorama of the area on top of Santa Rosa Mountain, inside the ring of trees.
Signal Mirror Flashes at 400 yards - 2x3 inch mirror, iPhone SE Wide FOV
Переглядів 1222 роки тому
Flashes of reflected sunlight from a 2"x3" glass signal mirror are incredibly bright - 3 million candlepower with the sun at zenith. The naked eye experiences afterimages at 400 yards, and can detect the flashes at 20 miles and more. The flashes are less spectacular on video - partly due to the low dynamic range - what the eye perceives as a brilliant star appears as a white spot on video. Howe...
Mirrorless Signal Mirror - 2"x3" Plexiglas, 0.7 miles
Переглядів 1623 роки тому
Sun flashes from signal mirrors are extremely bright - even the flash from a small unsilvered scrap of plexiglas can be seen for miles. Here I've taped the back of the plexiglas, so the only reflecting surface is the front air-plastic interface, with a (computed) reflectance of about 4% at normal incidence. A regular 2"x3" glass signal mirror sun flash is visible to the naked eye at 24 miles on...
Signal Mirror 2-mirror technique when sun is behind you
Переглядів 3374 роки тому
The signal mirror 2-mirror technique is used when signaling to locations nearly opposite from the sun. It is infrequent that the sun and target are aligned that unfavorably, but this is a useful technique to know. A first mirror (resting on the ground, here) is used to reflect the sun back to the signaler, then the signaler places their mirror in the reflected sunbeam, and reflects the sun to t...
American Heliograph Model 1905 Demonstration
Переглядів 12 тис.4 роки тому
In this modern demonstration, an antique American Army Heliograph (Model of 1905) is used to successfully flash a (very short) message to an observer 18.4 miles away. The value of the video is in showing how the heliograph was configured and operated to signal long distances - not in my (pathetic) sending technique, which is painfully, painfully slow (and not Morse Code, either). In my defense,...
31 mile signal mirror flashes - Troop 948 at Keller Peak
Переглядів 7975 років тому
31 mile signal mirror flashes from BSA Troop 948, GLAAC, at Keller Peak during the "Operation On-Target" Scouting event , July 20, 2019. Video taken from the base of Black Mountain Lookout. For the event, we staffed 10 locations in 4 counties with 7 scout units from three BSA councils. We made 37 one-way flash links, the longest two of which were each 73 miles. For more about Operation On-Targe...
High Point Lookout Signal Mirror Flashes
Переглядів 3135 років тому
Signal mirror flashes at 32.2 mile range from both a 4"x5" glass mirror and a 2"x3" plastic mirror. The flashes are from the catwalk of High Point Lookout fire tower (Palomar Mountain), as seen at Black Mountain Lookout fire tower in Riverside County. Note from the audio that only a fraction of the flashes from the 2"x3" plastic mirror are being seen by the naked eye, despite the high altitude ...
Red Mountain Lookout Signal Mirror Flash
Переглядів 2905 років тому
Signal Mirror Flashes at 14.4 mile range with 4"x5" glass signal mirror and "red dot" retroreflective aimer. From Red Mountain Lookout to Black Mountain Lookout in Riverside County, Southern California. Signal mirror flashes from an adjacent lookout are the best way to set the azimuth alignment on an Osborne Firefinder. Sun-mirror flashes from heliographs were used to communicate between fire l...
Operation On-Target: Making 12"x12" signal mirrors and carry cases
Переглядів 3425 років тому
If you are a new team going out for Operation On-Target, this is a "must-see" video! Otherwise - it is probably a waste of your time. View my video on putting "red-dot" retroreflective aimers on signal mirrors: ua-cam.com/video/4aNiJ7fWb9g/v-deo.html before this one in either case - this video doesn't cover that topic. The reason this video is inappropriate for most is because it focuses on the...
Thunderbird 9 Uses Signal Mirror at Huntington Beach Air Show
Переглядів 4485 років тому
USAF Thunderbird 9 at "show center" flashing Thunderbird 1 (the lead pilot) with reflected sunlight from a signal mirror at the Huntington Beach Air Show, 21 Oct. 2018. The flash marks the place ("show center") where the maneuvers are to be centered. Traditionally, Thunderbird 9 (the flight surgeon) operates the signal mirror at air shows. Here, that is Major (Dr.) Glen Goncharow, Thunderbird 9...
The Signaling Mirror: WWII US Military Training Film, August 1943
Переглядів 1,2 тис.5 років тому
The Signaling Mirror: WWII US Military Training Film, August 1943
12x12" Signal Mirror Flash at 42 miles - Keller Peak from Bald Peak
Переглядів 1736 років тому
12x12" Signal Mirror Flash at 42 miles - Keller Peak from Bald Peak
12"x12" Signal Mirror Flash at 33 Miles - Cucamonga from Bald Peak
Переглядів 2166 років тому
12"x12" Signal Mirror Flash at 33 Miles - Cucamonga from Bald Peak
12"x12" Mirror Flashes at 36 miles - Crestline Flashes at Bald Peak.
Переглядів 2076 років тому
12"x12" Mirror Flashes at 36 miles - Crestline Flashes at Bald Peak.
Using a 2x3 inch plexiglas sheet as a signal mirror at 0.7 miles
Переглядів 1126 років тому
Using a 2x3 inch plexiglas sheet as a signal mirror at 0.7 miles
Signal Mirror Test: Calm Water Swimmer Double Sided Mirror 11fpm
Переглядів 3186 років тому
Signal Mirror Test: Calm Water Swimmer Double Sided Mirror 11fpm
Signal Mirror Test: Snorkel Swimmer Calm Water Best Result - 39 fpm
Переглядів 6646 років тому
Signal Mirror Test: Snorkel Swimmer Calm Water Best Result - 39 fpm
Signal Mirror Flashes from Strawberry Peak by Lake Arrowhead Stabilized
Переглядів 1856 років тому
Signal Mirror Flashes from Strawberry Peak by Lake Arrowhead Stabilized
San Jacinto Mirror Flash seen at Boucher Hill East Face - 36 miles
Переглядів 827 років тому
San Jacinto Mirror Flash seen at Boucher Hill East Face - 36 miles
53 mile signal mirror flashes - Operation On-Target Gorgonio-Boucher Hill
Переглядів 2,2 тис.7 років тому
53 mile signal mirror flashes - Operation On-Target Gorgonio-Boucher Hill
USAF Thunderbird 9 using signal mirror at airshow practice (4K video)
Переглядів 3,8 тис.7 років тому
USAF Thunderbird 9 using signal mirror at airshow practice (4K video)
Operation On-Target 9/2016, Baden-Powell flashing Mt. Wilson
Переглядів 1227 років тому
Operation On-Target 9/2016, Baden-Powell flashing Mt. Wilson
Signal Mirror flashes at 31 miles - Elsinore Peak, Operation On-Target
Переглядів 9908 років тому
Signal Mirror flashes at 31 miles - Elsinore Peak, Operation On-Target