| |
|
|
01/01-LunaLive? 01/02-About me 01/03-Initial plan 01/25-Installation 05/23-LunaCasting! 11/17-Transients! |
01/25 - InstallationDuring the final weeks of January, I flew from my home in Dallas, Texas to BC in order to help install the hydrophone. I hitched a boat ride out Muchalat Inlet with a friend of Lisa’s (Manley) to Nootka Island.
The next morning, we were off to install the hydrophone. Lisa and Manley had already scouted out the best location - based in part on shoreline accessibility, underwater acoustic visibility to one of Luna’s favorite foraging areas, and (hopefully) a clear VHF signal to the lodge. We wouldn’t know if the signal would reach over the mountainous islands that lie between until (wouldn’t you know it) we had it all set up. Still, forever the optimists, we forged ahead. Visiting Nootka Sound in January leaves no doubt as to why they call this the RainCoast. The moss on the ground is so thick with moisture that when you step it feels like a giant blue-green sponge wrapping the entire rocky coastline. We cut and snapped our way through the thick bush – looking for the best place to set up the solar panel and VHF equipment. 
While I wired up the solar panel and VHF radio transmitter, Lisa climbed an overhanging tree and mounted the antenna. 
Manley was a great help with the installation of the hydrophone. Using his boat to pull the cable away from the shoreline where I was holding the end, Manley drove to the spot where we felt the hydrophone would do the most good. Securing the hydrophone with a number of weights, and a small float to keep it from dragging over the ocean floor, Lisa let the phone slip overboard. All was set. We were all very anxious to get back to the lodge to see if the VHF signal would reach through the islands, and so we quickly gathered up all the tools and shoved off. When we reached the lodge, we all gathered around the VHF scanner which was pre-set to the frequency of the radio, and to our GREAT relief - it worked perfectly! Luna was on the air!!! 
|