Nikola Tesla Books
[Sec. 3.b., cont.] "From data obtained in a large number of observations of the maxima and minima of these waves I found their length to vary approximately from twenty-five to seventy kilometers [corresponding to frequencies of 12 kHz to 4 kHz, respectively]... If one compares these data with more contemporary observations, one finds ideal comparison, suggesting that Tesla did indeed conduct extensive sferic measurements. See, for example, "Very-Low-Frequency Radiation Spectra of Lightning Discharges," W.L. Taylor and A.G. Jean, J. Research NBS-D (Radio Propagation), Sept.-Oct. 1959, pp. 199-204. 4. Colorado Springs experimental observations In the 1950s this writer was bothered by the narrative article by Tesla that appeared in the Electrical World and Engineer cited above, specifically with regard to the 'reflections' interpretation. From where? I did not have access to Tesla's CSN at that time, and now see that this question also bothered Tesla. He concludes correctly that it was a localized phenomenon. Were it not so, then lightning storms sweeping across the plains of the Serengeti, as well as from hundreds of other world storms, would have also affected his instruments. a. Johler's report As a consequence of my questions, in 1959 I conferred with J. Ralph Johler of the National Bureau of Standards Central Radio Propagation Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. At that time, Johler was an associate with James R. Wait at the laboratory. Johler's analysis is provided as Appendix A. In summary, Johler concludes that the periods of maxima and minima signals that Tesla observed most probably were the result of reflection and interference of sferic waveforms off the Pikes Peak range front. I agree with this analysis. And, if this is the case, then Tesla was misled in believing he was observing any kind of stationary wave effect resulting from lightning strokes jarring the earth's static charge. The question to be asked at this point is whether an incorrect observation/conclusion can nonetheless lead to the formulation of a workable concept? b. Effects when operating Magnifying Transmitter The descriptions by Tesla of local effects that he observed when operating the Magnifying Transmitter are dramatic. Let's examine them. (1) High power experiments "The coil, [operating at] 100,000 alternations per second, ... creat[es] such a commotion of electricity in the earth that sparks an inch long can be drawn from a water main at a
