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Back-To-Back CD Signal Mirror Method https://survivaltek.com/?p=3668 https://survivaltek.com/?p=3668#comments Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:31:52 +0000 https://survivaltek.com/?p=3668 In my video “CD Signal Mirror In Emergency” I illustrate the method of aiming the suns’ reflection off of a CD much like using the “bead and trough” or “peep sight” of a gun. By extending one arm with two fingers held up in a “V” position while a mirror is held next to your eye to reflect the sun at the bottom of that “V”, you can aim at your target between your fingers. I further describe in an article “Signal Mirror Target Practice” the importance of practicing this method. Much to my delight I had a comment to that article from a viewer who described his method as follows: “…If one is using a CD mirror, there is a way to mimic a WWII signal mirror sight with two CD’s.
1) Place two CD’s back to back.
2) Aim the CDs near the general direction of the sun.
3) Look at the reflection of your face in the back CD. You should see a spot of light corresponding to the CD hole.
4) Move the CD so that the reflection of the spot of light appears to be directly over the actual CD hole.
5) Look through the CD hole, and while keeping the spot of light in the hole, look directly at your target.
If both things are lined up, the sunlight will reflect toward your target.”

I decided to try this method out for myself. Sure enough it works. I noticed some things that you might find helpful. While holding the CD in my hand I noticed that the light coming through the hole created a bright spot on my hand which in turn reflected as a refractive line on the backside mirror. I could shift my hand left or right to center the line over the hole. I could then shift the CD up or down to center the reflected dot into the hole. I used a reflective license plate as a target so that I could see when the light passed over it. The short video above captures my test results.

I have included a photo of a retro-reflector mirror for reference to this signaling method.

]]> https://survivaltek.com/?feed=rss2&p=3668 0 Make Fire With Headlights https://survivaltek.com/?p=3546 https://survivaltek.com/?p=3546#comments Sat, 04 May 2013 14:14:33 +0000 https://survivaltek.com/?p=3546

Reflective Solar Fire Method

One of the fun things that I enjoy is finding useful trash that can be used to improvise solutions in an emergency situation. It’s amazing what you can find along a roadside. It’s not unusual to find broken car parts resulting from automobile accidents. One of the elements of this trash that I have used to make fire has been broken headlights by using their optical properties of concave reflection or convex refraction.

The mirrored surface of a headlight reflector is described as “concave” in shape, similar to the interior surface of a rounded cup. It reflects light from a light-bulb that is mounted inside it and shines outward. Some of the newer headlights use a “convex” lens that transmits light through it. It is fashioned from a solid material such as glass or plastic that focuses the light from a light-bulb outward as well.

Refractive Solar Fire Method

In each case we reverse the process of light reflection and refraction to gather light from the sun into a single focal point in order to create an ember from tinder that we strategically place where the light-bulb was originally mounted. Simply point the reflector or lens toward the sun and minimizing the “hot spot” onto the tinder.
In both cases it’s good to know that automobile headlights can be used to start a fire in an emergency situation when you have sunlight by using either the reflective or refractive nature of it’s parts. Next time you pass a roadside, keep a look-out for these usable part and try it out for yourself!

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