Since the early part of last year, U.S. soldiers and marines have been experimenting with a series of sonic blasters in Iraq. The Long Range Acoustic Devices, or "LRADs," can broadcast messages hundreds of yards away -- or be ear-splittingly loud at close range. The New York Police Department also had the devices at the ready during the Republican National Convention, although it's unclear whether the LRADs were actually used or not.
On Thursday, August 4th, we put the magnetic acoustic device (I'm not sure it has a name yet, so this one will have to do for now) to the test on one of our ranges... Using a variety of sounds from human voice to music to sound effects (screams, shouts, gunfire, sirens, and the like), we succeeded in listening to the sounds from the transmitter located one statue mile in the distance!
Admittedly, this was a crude proof of concept test. But the device met and exceeded our expectations. There was nearly no distortion. In fact, at one statute mile, we clearly listened to a Frank Sinatra record and could understand the words, hear the intonations and pitch, and even the background music! Other sounds, especially those in the higher frequency ranges like sirens and screams, were easily detected even over the noise from the 5 Freeway a short distance away.
The edge of the energy path was clearly discernible and you could easily detect when you were standing in it and not, even at one mile. In fact, near the end of the test a wind gusting up to 20 knots blew across our line of sight and we had to adjust for the wind to remain in the energy path.
This device far exceeds anything I'm aware of. Others are childrens' toys compared with this thing. The developer tells us that there are other configurations they believe will allow it to take even more energy. They estimated we were using 15,000 watts, but with a different type of magnet they believe we they can easily exceed 100,000 watts without overheating.
Further, by rearranging the orientation of the magnetic speakers, they can increase or decrease the width of the lobe, as well as decrease the size, weight and power. The device we tested is "full range;" that is, it provided clear sound from about 50 Hz to about 20,000 Hz. But if we were going to use it just for human voice or a siren, or some other specific frequency range, they can also "tune it" to provide maximum effectiveness for a specific frequency range and reduce the size and power, while increasing the range.
We are currently scheduling a full-blown demonstration in September... We'll keep you in the loop and notify you of the particulars of the demo when we have them.
Sounds good, Sid. Uh, I think.
Last week, the L.A. Sheriff's Department tested out an acoustic transmitter that makes earlier models look like "childrens' toys" in comparison, LASD Commander Sid Heal, a world-renowned expert in non-lethal weaponry, tells Defense Tech.
I have read almost every comment listed hear and have yet to confirm any that share my deduction. In my little remote corner of observation I can say the uses in bothe leagle and illeagle intent are all over the place. From legitiment war time to humainly regulated police use. It is very missfortunate that there is a blackmarket on this as one could asume. For in the hands of vigalante groups that all to often take law into there own hands find a way to say oops or oh well in there actions. In all the efforts of controlling drug trafficing/users,bums in the park,the resident that is deminishing property value/devolepment,night clubs yhat promote prostitution,ect,ect. There will be no way to know if it is the government or a neighbor. I know that in micro electronics,that I.R.A.D.'s are in simular strenghth and as portable as a cell phone. There is an upside in my deductions as to find yourself lesslikely to be a target;keep your yard clean,stay flexable to improvements regardless of your oppinion,donot go against majority rule of your area,if you donot approve then move to where you can fit in,and most important of all obey any and all LAWS. This newfound method of monipulation is not going away and in real time if you ingage in illeagle activities you will be a target for this corrective terror until you are crippled or corrected. Legitiment use of this technology is all I have wittnessed,not all administers with the controlls follow orders as most are cadets with stress and hormones in development.But in all common wealth will grow and law will be upheld one way or the other .The choice is ours... In closing I say no to forceful law and yes to an intelligent and informative one for the considerations should be the choice of circumstance and ultimatums provided.If then ignorance or resistance is present then may force be used.In other words a simple anonomus letter,E-mail,phone call with a heads up for most requests of movement and maybe a warning shot or two for more offensive matters.In all my thouhts I do sound a bit cowardly and weak but I call it intelligent as I tip my hat to technology and the people in controll of it because I,we are currently outgunned.......... For Now.......
Posted by: Leonard at May 24, 2008 07:22 PM