Re: DIY Parabolic Dishes.

["oryoki2000" oryoki2000]

"John Hartog" wrote:
> Would the optimal position of the focus be at a certain
> ratio of the dish depth?

I like this approach:

"...Rather than trying to make measurements to determine the equation
and calculate the focus from those measurements, you'd be better off
finding the focus directly by experimentation.

[Assuming the parabolic dish has a reflective surface] Shine several
parallel light beams at the dish, each parallel to the main axis of
the dish, and observe where they converge.

You'd likely get more accurate results that way than trying to
determine the equation of the dish by measurements."

http://www.math.toronto.edu/mathnet/questionCorner/parabolic.html

Alternatively, you can simply move the mic in and out on its mount and
listen to the signal the mic produces to find the spot where you get
the best results.

--oryoki