Radio Frequency Bridge [Wayne Kerr Laboratories]
Maker and role
The Wayne Kerr Laboratories Limited, Maker
Object detail
Accession number
2015.127
Description
Radio frequency bridge made by Wayne Kerr Laboratories in New Malden, Surrey England. Model B601, designed as a multi-ratio instrument for the measurement of resistance, capacitance and inductance over a wide range of values. Used by Dr JB Gregory from the University of Canterbury in his research at Scott Base (Antarctica) in the late 1950s to study the characteristics of the lower polar ionosphere (D Region) and to measure the height, strength and time of radio wave reflections originating at low heights in the ionosphere. Dr Gregory found that the emission of protons from solar flares was more frequent than previously known and contributed to the ionization in the polar atmosphere which resulted in radio blackouts that significantly impacted the use of high frequency radio-based technology in Antarctica.
Brief History
Radio frequency bridge made by Wayne Kerr Laboratories in New Malden, Surrey England. Model B601, designed as a multi-ratio instrument for the measurement of resistance, capacitance and inductance over a wide range of values. Used by Dr JB Gregory from the University of Canterbury in his research at Scott Base (Antarctica) in the late 1950s to study the characteristics of the lower polar ionosphere (D Region) and to measure the height, strength and time of radio wave reflections originating at low heights in the ionosphere. Dr Gregory found that the emission of protons from solar flares was more frequent than previously known and contributed to the ionization in the polar atmosphere which resulted in radio blackouts that significantly impacted the use of high frequency radio-based technology in Antarctica.
Marks
Dr JB Gregory/Scott Base .D Hand-written
WKL PATENT No.s/642617/2589535 (U.S)/B.B.C PAT. No 566970 Maker's Plate
RADIO FREQUENCY BRIDGE/TYPE B601. 15KC/S-5MC/C.SERIAL No 535/THE WAYNE KERR LABORATORIES LIMITED/NEW MALDEN SURREY ENGLAND/MANUFACTURED IN ENGLAND Imprint
WKL PATENT No.s/642617/2589535 (U.S)/B.B.C PAT. No 566970 Maker's Plate
RADIO FREQUENCY BRIDGE/TYPE B601. 15KC/S-5MC/C.SERIAL No 535/THE WAYNE KERR LABORATORIES LIMITED/NEW MALDEN SURREY ENGLAND/MANUFACTURED IN ENGLAND Imprint
Media/Materials
Credit Line
<C> The Wayne Kerr Laboratories Limited. Radio Frequency Bridge [Wayne Kerr Laboratories], 2015.127. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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