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Background Following various encounters at sea with dolphins, false killer whales, and migrating humpbacks, my own interest in DIY hydrophones was sparked by a book on the subject by Frank Watlington, "How to build and use low-cost hydrophones" published in 1979 by TAB BOOKS (Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 USA) ( ISBN 0-8306-98046-9 ). There were both hardcover and paperback versions, but as far as I'm aware the book is long out of print. Frank was then a professional marine researcher, and the first person to record the songs of the humpback whale. I believe a postage stamp honouring this achievement was produced by a Caribbean country. I give him full credit for the basic ideas I've used. I've also benefited from advice from Dave Goodson at Loughborough University, and various fellow amateurs.
Listening to sounds coming out of the ocean sometimes adds a truly wonderful extra dimension to my sailing.
The simplest types of hydrophones are only suitable for
dunking over the side of a slow moving or stationary boat. Hydrophones
can also be housed to make them suitable for
towing behind a moving boat, especially sailing boats which have no
engine noise to contend with. |
