SBS - You're In a World of Hertz
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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An "Unwired" 6 Step Multicache - The Neighborhood's 1st With a "Beacon" Attribute!
Background:
Before 1960, we used to measure the frequency of a thing in "cycles" per second. A normal AM radio was able to tune from between 540,000 cycles (540 kilocycles) and 1,600,000 cycles (1600 kilocycles) per second. That's why the old AM dial showed numbers between 540 and 1600, although a few manufacturers take liberty with that and label them 54 to 160. A tuning fork tuned to 440 cycles per second produced a tone called a "concert A".
Then in 1960, a body known as the "International Electrotechnical Commission" (the IEC) decided we should all ignore that these were waves and cycles when we mention them, and renamed the unit after a German fellow named Heinrich Hertz. That tuning fork is now a 440 hertz (or 440Hz) tuning fork. It is typically abbreviated as "Hz" wherever it is used. Your AM radio would be tuned to 850 kilohertz (KHz) if you are listening to KOA in Denver. My older radios are still labeled in cycles -- and that's just fine by me.
Truth to tell, the guy in whose honor this should probably have been named is Albert Michelson for his pioneering work back in 1881, but talking about 440 Michelsons is not quite as handy as 440 Hertz. Besides, the Europeans would not have an American's name on something so important as this, would they? (OK, so he was born in Prussia - he moved here when he was two years old...)
This multicache includes 3 locations where, using the equipment you will bring along, you will receive information using that equipment to point you to the next waypoint. It also includes 2 locations where you will obtain numbers that, when manipulated as instructed, will produce the next waypoint. The sixth and last waypoint is the final, a physical cache.
At the three waypoints where you receive a message, it will be up to you to determine the appropriate equipment to bring. All of the information necessary to make those choices are included in the waypoint instructions. With regard to this equipment, be advised that there is nothing required that cannot be found for sale in the aisles of a typical major discount store, and if you don't already own it, there's a good chance you can borrow it from a friend or a fellow cacher who has already completed this cache.
For those just discovering the World of Hertz, be advised that your search for gear should include the following understanding:
1,000,000 hertz (one million of 'em) = 1 MHz (megahertz)
1,000,000,000 hertz (one billion of 'em) = 1 GHz (gigahertz)
Scope:
This is a six waypoint cache. Combined driving and walking distance is about 7 miles, but there is only about 0.1 miles of walking involved if you map your route well. The entire multi takes place in an area less than a mile on a side.
Waypoint #1:
Proceed to the posted coordinates for this cache (N40 11.826 / W105 04.618). The device you will use for this search operates in a range of 462,550,000 hertz to 462,725,000 hertz, or may operate in a range of 467,562,500 to 467,712,500 hertz (we may change the frequency from time to time, so beware of PAF!). Use the information you obtain to navigate to Waypoint #2.
Waypoint #2:
Here you will find two numbers. When looked at from the right angle, they will provide you the coordinates for Waypoint #3.
Waypoint #3:
Upon arrival at the coordinates, the device you will use for this search operates in a range of 2,412,000,000 hertz to 2,462,000,000 hertz. Use the information you obtain to navigate to Waypoint #4. NOTE: If the device you have chosen isn't giving you at least a dozen or so options from which to choose, you'll need better gear! You should spot two things that attract your attention. One of them was an entirely unintentional decoy, but a perfect match for this cache. If you don't see something even more obvious than the decoy, walk due west from this waypoint either before or after 'golfing hours' until you find what you seek.
Waypoint #4:
Your choice of equipment here may matter much more than you think. I know a few things about equipment and propagation, and was quite surprised at what worked and what didn't! The signal here is weak. You will no doubt want to move around a bit to improve your chances. If you strike out here, find a way to put yourself into a nearby position due NW of the posted coordinates for this waypoint. The device you will use for this search operates in a range of 87,500,000 hertz and 107,900,000 hertz. Use the information you obtain to navigate to Waypoint #5.
Waypoint #5:
Here you are looking for a single three digit number smaller than the number 500. Divide that number by 1000 and add it to the decimal minutes of both the latitude and longitude that follow to navigate to Waypoint #6:
N40 12.003 W105 04.071
Waypoint #6:
Here, you're traditionally capped at about 3000Hz. This is a standard physical cache and is the final for this multi-cache.
Notes on Difficulty and Terrain:
Most of the stages are terrain 1.0, with a little 1.5~2.0 thrown in. Clayjar's rating system would put the entire multi at a difficulty 5.0 due to the specialized knowledge and equipment involved. That said, I'd rate each waypoint as follows:
#1: Research to determine the correct equipment, specialized nature of equipment and patience = 4.0
#2: Location of information = 2.0
#3: Research to determine the correct equipment = 3.0
#4: Research to determine the correct equipment, propagation issues = 2.5
#5: Location of information = 2.5
#6: Location of final = 2.0
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)