Several world gov'ts use long wave radio communication to talk through the earth. The US can send a signal to a submarine on the other side of the world, with long radio waves. I think the longest antanae is about a mile or so long.
I propose that the world builds a gigantic radio array in space that would be 100 miles long. The radio "message" itself would be short, but would repeat itself so that its wavelength is 100 miles long.
This way, with one array we can search space in a much more effective way. We could also explore super long wave communications. Since Long waves can pass through the earth, who knows what super long waves could pass through.-- Antegrity, Nov 09 2005 "This way, with one array we can search space in a much more effective way" - for what, exactly? Aliens with very large transistor radios?-- DrCurry, Nov 09 2005 Building it in space would be a big waste of time too. Dish antennas spread across several continents can already be joined up to create 'virtual antennas' several thousand miles across. The same principle could be used to create big transmitters.-- hippo, Nov 09 2005 //the longest antanae is about a mile or so long// It’s about 125 miles long.
//The radio "message" itself would be short// It would be slow, not necessarily short.
//but would repeat itself so that its wavelength is 100 miles long// Yer joking, right?-- Shz, Nov 09 2005 As you increase the wavelength you decrease the scatter of a radio wave. So an ultra-long wavelength radio might be good for intergalactic communication. (an ULW radio-telescope is mentioned in a book I half-remember. May have been Asimov. The plotline is about a martian settler going to earth to clone the next generation of his sterile body. Can't remember the title, though.)
Unfortunately, as the wavelength increases, so the frequency decreases, and with it the amount of information the wave can carry. I'm guessing that your message will have to be significantly longer than a wavelength otherwise, all you are transmitting is, "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..." Hardly an exciting message.-- st3f, Nov 09 2005 As this collection of thoughts tend to indicate.-- bristolz, Nov 09 2005 The point is that super long radio waves would pass through spacial bodies and systems, thus a good search pattern could be laid out.-- Antegrity, Nov 24 2005 Test match cricket on 198 (Hz) perhaps?-- bibliotaphist, Nov 24 2005 In space, no-one can hear you "Hmmmmmmmmmm"-- coprocephalous, Nov 24 2005 i guess the idea is that ... long waves are good for seeing 'through' things - like the earth, but the problem with space - is Not That anythings particularily _in the way_ ... more that the speed of light is such a limiting factor. So long-wave radio is good for long-distance earth communication - but has no advantage i can see over shorter wavelengths in space. As an asside - technology moves So Fast - and we are looking for aliens at exactly our technological match - when we find them... it will be funny.-- nicholaswhitworth, Mar 30 2010 It was Arthur C Clarke. The title is Imperial Earth. The main character is a resident of Titan.-- whlanteigne, Apr 11 2013 what "message" could be of any merit?-- WcW, Apr 12 2013 I'm always looking for new recipes, like how to use leftover turkey, or variations on tuna casserole. Perhaps alien civilizations would have some fresh new culinary ideas.
Or maybe they would like my recipe for fish sticks with custard.-- whlanteigne, Apr 12 2013 random, halfbakery