Understanding LoRa Modulation: How Chirps Enable Long Range Wireless Communication

1,523 words, 8 minutes read time.

Long Range (LoRa) modulation is one of the most innovative digital radio techniques available today, widely used in IoT networks and by hobbyists exploring the potential of long-distance low-power communication. At its core is Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) — a method that spreads information across a frequency sweep, rather than encoding it solely on amplitude or phase. This allows signals to travel far, penetrate obstacles, and resist noise better than many traditional modulation schemes.

LoRa emerged in the 2010s as engineers sought low-power solutions for sensors, meters, and devices that needed to communicate over kilometers without draining batteries. While it’s most commonly associated with the Internet of Things, the principles behind LoRa have direct relevance to amateur radio enthusiasts, particularly those interested in long-distance digital modes. Understanding the physics of chirps, spreading factors, and symbol encoding is not just theory; it forms a foundation for grasping modern RF communications.

This document explains LoRa’s modulation in detail, highlighting why CSS is effective, how chirps encode data, and why receivers can detect signals far below the noise floor. By mastering these concepts, aspiring operators build a deep understanding of frequency manipulation, signal correlation, and processing gain — skills applicable well beyond LoRa itself.

What is Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS)?

Chirp Spread Spectrum is a type of wideband modulation where the frequency of a signal linearly increases or decreases over time. These sweeping frequencies, called chirps, encode data based on their timing and phase relative to other chirps. This technique originates from radar and sonar, where chirps help detect weak echoes over noisy backgrounds. LoRa adapts this concept for digital data transmission, using chirps to represent symbols rather than simple binary states.

Unlike traditional amplitude or frequency shift keying, which toggles between discrete values, CSS spreads information over the entire bandwidth. This not only improves robustness against interference but also provides processing gain, allowing the receiver to extract weak signals buried in noise. The result is a system capable of communicating over distances and under conditions where conventional narrowband radios would fail.

LoRa’s implementation of CSS further optimizes the technique by introducing cyclic shifts of chirps. Each unique shift represents a distinct symbol. By adjusting the starting point of a chirp within its sweep, LoRa encodes multiple bits per symbol. This design creates a high-efficiency, M-ary modulation system that balances range, sensitivity, and data rate.

Finally, the spreading factor (SF) determines how many symbols are available per chirp. Lower SFs mean shorter chirps, higher data rates, and shorter range, while higher SFs produce longer chirps, lower data rates, but vastly improved sensitivity. This flexibility allows LoRa to scale performance based on specific application needs, from dense urban deployments to remote rural sensors.

How LoRa Encodes Data with Chirps

Each LoRa symbol represents multiple bits, encoded by cyclically shifting a chirp within the channel bandwidth. For example, a spreading factor of SF = 7 allows for 128 possible shifts per symbol, while SF = 12 offers 4096 options. Each shift is precisely timed and frequency-controlled, effectively turning a frequency sweep into a rich constellation of data points.

The receiver decodes these chirps using correlation detection. By comparing received signals with reference chirps, the system identifies the correct cyclic shift and extracts the underlying symbol. This approach allows the receiver to recognize signals far below the noise floor, a capability uncommon in most conventional digital modes.

The combination of cyclic shifts, spreading factors, and correlation detection allows LoRa to operate in environments that would challenge standard FM or digital radio systems. Devices can coexist on the same frequency channel with different SFs due to the orthogonality of the chirps. This means that a gateway can simultaneously detect multiple transmissions, improving network capacity and reliability.

Finally, the choice of bandwidth directly influences symbol rate and sensitivity. Narrower bandwidth increases the time per chirp, enhancing sensitivity and range but reducing throughput. Wider bandwidth allows faster communication at the cost of reduced link margin. LoRa’s careful balance of these parameters makes it highly adaptable for a wide variety of low-power, long-range applications.

Why LoRa Works Below the Noise Floor

One of LoRa’s most remarkable traits is its ability to decode signals significantly below the noise floor. Traditional radios fail when the signal drops just a few decibels below noise. LoRa achieves this due to the processing gain inherent in CSS and the correlation properties of chirps.

When a chirp is received, the system performs a correlation with a reference chirp, effectively summing energy across the entire symbol period. This accumulation allows the receiver to detect weak patterns that would otherwise be lost. Because random noise rarely mimics the predictable linear frequency sweep of a chirp, most interference is rejected naturally.

This property is why LoRa devices can communicate over kilometers while consuming only a few tens of milliwatts of power. A signal that would be undetectable with narrowband FM can be recovered reliably using a CSS receiver, enabling ultra-long-range, low-power networks.

Finally, this capability is invaluable to amateur radio operators exploring low-power, long-distance communication. By studying LoRa, operators learn how spread-spectrum techniques, correlation detection, and careful frequency planning can dramatically extend range without increasing power or bandwidth.

Spreading Factors and Network Design

The spreading factor (SF) in LoRa defines the number of possible chirp offsets and directly impacts performance. A lower SF enables faster data rates and shorter chirps, ideal for local communication or high-throughput applications. A higher SF produces longer chirps and more possible offsets, dramatically improving sensitivity and long-range performance.

Bandwidth, symbol duration, and spreading factor together determine time-on-air, affecting latency, throughput, and energy consumption. Network designers must balance these parameters to meet specific requirements, whether for a dense urban network or a remote sensing deployment.

Additionally, the orthogonality of chirps with different SFs allows multiple devices to transmit simultaneously on the same frequency. This property increases network capacity and reduces interference, a practical consideration for IoT networks, but also a valuable insight for amateur radio enthusiasts exploring multi-user digital modes.

Understanding these relationships is key for anyone interested in RF design or digital communication. By experimenting with different SFs and bandwidths, learners gain intuition about trade-offs in real-world wireless networks.

Practical Applications for Amateur Radio Enthusiasts

While LoRa is not a standard Amateur Radio mode, studying its modulation provides invaluable insights into RF engineering, digital signal processing, and wireless network design. Knowledge of CSS principles applies broadly, from HF digital modes to satellite communications and experimental high-frequency systems.

For the aspiring Amateur Radio operator, experimenting with LoRa modules or building custom receivers can teach critical skills: correlating signals, understanding link budgets, and designing for long-range communication in noisy environments. These lessons are directly transferable to more traditional ham radio projects.

Moreover, LoRa’s low-power, high-range performance inspires innovative approaches to emergency communication, remote monitoring, and experimental digital networks. Amateur operators who understand these concepts are well-positioned to contribute to novel applications, from sensor arrays to hybrid radio networks.

Finally, mastering LoRa principles strengthens the operator’s intuition about spectrum, modulation, and signal detection. It’s a practical, hands-on way to deepen RF literacy while staying on the cutting edge of low-power wireless technology.

Future Developments in Long-Range Wireless Communication

Chirp Spread Spectrum and LoRa modulation continue to influence research in low-power, resilient communication. Advanced networks, hybrid IoT-amateur setups, and urban sensor deployments all benefit from the core principles pioneered by LoRa.

Future enhancements may include adaptive spreading factors, multi-channel correlation, and improved interference mitigation, further extending range and reliability. As spectrum becomes more crowded, these techniques will be increasingly valuable for both commercial and hobbyist radio users.

For Amateur Radio operators, understanding LoRa’s underlying physics equips them for the next generation of digital radio experimentation. From long-distance sensors to robust low-power networks, the skills developed studying LoRa modulation have lasting relevance across the radio spectrum.

In summary, LoRa modulation demonstrates how clever manipulation of frequency, timing, and correlation allows information to travel far, efficiently, and reliably. By grasping chirp-based communication, aspiring operators gain expertise that strengthens both theoretical understanding and practical radio skills.

Call to Action

If this story caught your attention, don’t just scroll past. Join the community—men sharing skills, stories, and experiences. Subscribe for more posts like this, drop a comment about your projects or lessons learned, or reach out and tell me what you’re building or experimenting with. Let’s grow together.

D. Bryan King

Sources

• LoRa Alliance – LoRa & LoRaWAN Technical Book (PDF)
• LocalMesh – LoRa Technology Explained
• Raveon Technologies – LoRa Protocol Overview
• nolilab.com – Simple Guide to LoRa & LoRaWAN
• HamRadio.my – LoRa and CSS Modulation Explained
• All About Circuits – Demystifying LoRa Networks
• DN.org – Chirp Spread Spectrum Fundamentals
• Wikipedia – LoRa (Overview & PHY Layer)
• Medium – What Is LoRa: The Fundamentals
• The Things Network – Spreading Factors Explanation
• Gyulab – LoRa/CSS Overview, Demodulation & Decoding
• Wikipedia – Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS)
• MOKOSmart – Technology Behind LoRa Frequency
• ADS/ArXiv – A Tutorial on Chirp Spread Spectrum Modulation
• arXiv – Design of LoRa Communication Systems Research

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

Understanding Antennas: A Beginner’s Guide

1,790 words, 9 minutes read time.

If you’ve ever tuned a receiver or held a handheld transceiver, you know the thrill of connecting with someone miles away over invisible waves. Yet, no matter how impressive your radio or its features, the antenna remains the real workhorse of your station. Think of it as the engine of a sports car: you can have the finest chassis and interior, but without a capable engine, performance suffers. The same principle applies to ham radio. A well-designed antenna can make even modest equipment sing, while a high-powered rig can struggle when paired with a poorly chosen or installed antenna.

This guide isn’t about licensing or exam questions. Instead, it’s about helping you master the science and art of antennas so that when the time comes to pursue your license, you already understand what makes an antenna work—and why it matters more than most novices realize. By the end, you’ll have the insight to make informed decisions about design, installation, tuning, and optimization, and you’ll understand why the antenna is the heart of every station.

The Big Picture: What an Antenna Really Does

An antenna is, at its simplest, a bridge between your radio and the world. It converts electrical energy from your transmitter into electromagnetic waves that propagate through the air. On receive, it captures those waves and converts them back into electrical signals for your radio to decode. While radios can be complex, antennas are governed by elegant, consistent physical principles.

Key characteristics define performance: frequency, wavelength, radiation pattern, feed-point location, and impedance. Frequency determines physical size; lower frequencies need longer elements, while higher frequencies allow smaller antennas. Wavelength defines the resonant length of the antenna, determining how efficiently it radiates or receives energy. Impedance is crucial for matching the antenna to your radio and minimizing power loss. A mismatch can result in reflected energy, poor performance, or even equipment stress.

The antenna’s shape, orientation, and height relative to the ground all shape its radiation pattern—the “footprint” over which your signal travels. A simple horizontal dipole a few feet off the ground will behave very differently from the same dipole mounted 30 feet high. Understanding these nuances early will save frustration later, especially when space, trees, and rooftops impose real-world constraints.

Antenna Theory for Beginners

When learning about antennas, it helps to think in terms of waves. Radio waves have both a wavelength and frequency. A quarter-wave or half-wave element resonates when its physical length is proportional to the wavelength of your frequency of interest. This resonance ensures maximum energy transfer and minimal loss.

Impedance is another cornerstone concept. Most amateur radios expect a 50-ohm load. An antenna presenting a significantly different impedance causes reflections back to the transmitter, measurable as Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). Understanding SWR is crucial: a high SWR indicates energy is bouncing back toward your radio, while a low SWR shows efficient transfer. Modern antenna analyzers make this process easier, but grasping the principle early ensures you interpret readings correctly.

Height, feedline quality, and nearby obstacles all interact with theory. A well-placed antenna can outperform a technically superior antenna that’s poorly installed. Even the choice of coax or ladder line matters; losses in feedlines reduce overall effectiveness. Understanding these elements before you even cut your first wire sets a foundation that will carry you through your first contacts and beyond.

Exploring Common Antenna Types

Choosing the right antenna often comes down to balancing your goals, available space, and budget. The horizontal dipole is a classic starting point: easy to construct, effective, and versatile. Variations like the inverted-V conserve space while maintaining reasonable efficiency. The G5RV multiband wire is another beginner favorite, providing access to multiple bands with a single installation.

Vertical antennas, including ground-plane designs, offer a smaller footprint and omnidirectional coverage, making them suitable for limited space. However, verticals often require a decent ground system for efficiency. Portable hams often start with rubber-duck handheld antennas or lightweight whips. While these are limited in range and performance, they provide essential practice in tuning, orientation, and handling.

Directional antennas, such as beams or Yagis, allow you to focus power in a particular direction, improving signal strength and reception. While these require more planning, supports, and often rotators, they demonstrate the profound impact antenna geometry has on performance. Even simple directional configurations like a corner reflector or quad can dramatically improve reception without increasing transmitter power.

Installation Considerations

An antenna’s effectiveness hinges on proper installation. Begin with a site survey. Note available supports, nearby obstacles, and ground conditions. Trees, metal structures, and other antennas can influence radiation patterns and SWR. Height is your ally: higher antennas generally produce lower take-off angles, enhancing long-distance performance.

Feedline choice is critical. Coaxial cable is convenient, widely available, and easy to handle, but every foot adds loss, especially at higher frequencies. Ladder line or open-wire feedlines minimize loss but require careful routing and insulation. Matching devices like baluns and tuners correct impedance mismatches and maximize power transfer, but they cannot compensate for poor placement or inadequate height.

Grounding isn’t just about lightning protection—it also improves safety and can reduce RF interference in your station. A properly grounded antenna system protects both your equipment and your home while ensuring more consistent performance.

Tuning and Optimizing

Once your antenna is up, tuning is the next step. Measure SWR across your desired frequency range. Small adjustments—trimming or lengthening elements, adjusting angle or height—can significantly improve resonance. Even a minor shift in a tree branch or support can alter SWR readings.

Baluns and matching networks help achieve impedance compatibility, but efficiency always begins with the antenna itself. Understand feedline losses versus antenna gain. In many cases, a slightly less “ideal” antenna installed correctly outperforms a theoretically perfect antenna with installation issues.

Routine monitoring ensures sustained performance. Seasonal changes, weather, or vegetation growth can subtly affect your antenna. Keeping a notebook with element lengths, feedline types, and SWR readings creates a reference that saves countless hours troubleshooting later.

Understanding the Math Behind Antennas

Even if licensing isn’t your immediate goal, some math from the Technician and General exams is invaluable for designing and tuning antennas. Let’s break it down.

Wavelength and Antenna Lengths

Radio waves travel at the speed of light, roughly 300,000,000 meters per second. The wavelength (λ\lambdaλ) is calculated as:

Where ccc is the speed of light in meters per second and fff is frequency in hertz. For example, a 14 MHz signal:

Using wavelength, antenna lengths are derived. A half-wave dipole, the most common, is approximately:

A quarter-wave vertical would be:

These formulas allow you to calculate almost any basic wire antenna length accurately.

Impedance and SWR

Understanding SWR requires a bit of algebra, but the principle is simple. SWR is the ratio of the maximum to minimum voltage on the line:

An SWR of 1:1 indicates perfect impedance matching. If your antenna presents 75 ohms to a 50-ohm transmitter, SWR rises to 1.5:1. Knowing this math helps interpret readings and adjust antenna lengths to minimize reflected power.

Power Loss in Feedlines

Feedline loss depends on frequency, cable type, and length. The basic relationship is:

Where III is current and RRR is the resistance of the line. While hams rarely calculate exact wattage losses, understanding that longer coax and higher frequency result in more loss helps you make smart installation choices. For example, 50 feet of RG-58 at 14 MHz may lose several tenths of a dB, while the same length at 144 MHz loses significantly more.

Resonance Adjustment

Small adjustments in element length directly influence resonance. For a half-wave dipole, a change of 1% in length shifts resonance by roughly 1% of the operating frequency. Understanding the proportionate effect of element trimming helps you fine-tune SWR without guesswork.

Growth Path: Beyond the Beginner Antenna

Your first antenna is not the end of your journey—it’s the foundation. Once you understand resonance, SWR, feedlines, and radiation patterns, upgrading to more complex systems becomes far less intimidating. Transitioning from a simple dipole to a directional beam, or from a single-band wire to a multiband installation, is much smoother when grounded in fundamental knowledge.

Experimentation is encouraged. Try different heights, orientations, or portable setups. Document every change. Over time, this builds not just skill but confidence. A well-documented antenna journey also creates a valuable reference for troubleshooting or mentoring newcomers in your local club.

Practical Tips and Takeaways

Start simple and test early. A straightforward dipole or vertical, installed thoughtfully, offers a playground for learning without the frustration of complex setups. Prioritize site and installation over chasing high-gain claims; a well-placed, modest antenna frequently outperforms flashy designs.

Keep detailed records. Note heights, element lengths, SWR readings, and observations. Engage with local clubs or online communities to exchange insights. Remember, there’s no “perfect” antenna; each design involves trade-offs. Your goal is functional, efficient, and maintainable—something that gets you on the air while teaching you valuable lessons along the way.

Conclusion

Understanding antennas is the cornerstone of being a competent ham operator. By mastering fundamental theory, experimenting with design and installation, learning to optimize performance, and applying some of the math behind resonant lengths and SWR, you lay a solid foundation for the future. The knowledge you gain now makes licensing less about memorization and more about applying what you already know.

The antenna is more than a piece of hardware; it’s a bridge between your curiosity and the world. Build it thoughtfully, learn from each adjustment, and your first transmissions will carry far further than just radio waves—they’ll carry experience, understanding, and confidence.

Your journey is just beginning, and the airwaves are waiting.

Call to Action

If this blog caught your attention, don’t just scroll past. Join the community—men sharing skills, stories, and experiences. Subscribe for more posts like this, drop a comment about your projects or lessons learned, or reach out and tell me what you’re building or experimenting with. Let’s grow together.

D. Bryan King

Sources

• “Your First Antenna” — ARRL
• “The Different Types of Ham Radio Antennas” — Ham Radio Prep
• “Beginners’ Corner” — Practical Antennas
• “Ham Radio Antennas: Types, Differences, and Pros & Cons” — Stryker Radios Blog
• “How Antennas Work” — ARRL
• “Building Simple Antennas” — ARRL
• “A Beginner’s Guide to SWR” — Practical Antennas
• “Impedance” — Practical Antennas
• “Feeding the Antenna” — Practical Antennas
• “Antenna Modeling for Beginners” — ARRL
• “Top 5 HF Ham Radio Antennas for Beginners” — World Radio League
• “Hexbeam” — Wikipedia (directional antenna type overview)
• “Quad Antenna” — Wikipedia (another antenna type overview)
• “Ch 4 – Propagation, Antennas & Feedlines” — ARRL
• “Corner Reflector Antenna” — Wikipedia (directional antenna concept)

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

Related Posts

Rate this:

#advancedAntennas #amateurRadioLearning #amateurRadioTips #antennaAnalyzer #antennaBlog #antennaCalculators #antennaConstruction #antennaCoverage #antennaDesign #antennaEfficiency #antennaEfficiencyTips #antennaExperiments #antennaFeedline #antennaForBeginners #antennaFormulas #antennaGain #antennaGrounding #antennaGuide #antennaHeight #antennaImpedance #antennaInstallation #antennaMatching #antennaMaterials #antennaMath #antennaModeling #antennaOrientation #antennaPerformance #antennaPolarization #antennaReferenceGuide #antennaSoftware #antennaTesting #antennaTheory #antennaTipsAndTricks #antennaTroubleshooting #antennaTuning #baseStationAntennas #beamAntenna #coaxialCable #dipoleAntenna #directionalAntennas #diyAntennas #fccExam #generalLicense #groundPlaneAntenna #hamRadioAntennas #hamRadioClubs #hamRadioCommunity #hamRadioMath #hamRadioProjects #hamRadioResources #hamRadioSetup #hamRadioSignals #hfAntennas #hfBandAntennas #hfPropagation #ionosphereEffects #mobileAntennas #omnidirectionalAntennas #portableAntennas #practicalAntennaGuide #propagationTips #radiationPattern #radioCommunication #radioEquipment #radioFrequency #radioHobby #radioLicensing #radioPerformance #radioPropagation #radioScience #radioSignalStrength #radioWavePropagation #resonantFrequency #rfDesign #solarActivity #swrCalculation #technicianLicense #uhfAntennas #uhfBandAntennas #uhfPropagation #verticalAntenna #vhfAntennas #vhfBandAntennas #vhfPropagation #yagiAntenna

📡 What is Radio Frequency Engineering?

👉 Click here: https://www.engineersheaven.org/forum/topic/60
to visit our website and read the full article.

#RadioFrequencyEngineering #WirelessTech #SignalProcessing #RFDesign #TelecomEngineering #SmartCommunication #SatelliteTech #EngineersHeaven #ElectronicsEngineering #STEMeducation

🚀 When a DIY RF PCB kit goes wrong…
A Friend’s Antenna Tuner Project
A friend of mine asked me to design an enclosure and finish assembling an antenna tuner kit sold by Dx World. Sounded like a simple task, right? Well… what could possibly go wrong? 🤔
Turns out, quite a lot. Read breakdown of the biggest design issues I encountered in the thread!
💡 Can you find more flaws? Share in the comments! 🔽

#RFDesign #PCB #Engineering #Electronics #Hardware #PCBDesign #RFAntenna #ElectronicsFail

Conversation with Scott Durgin on Lots of Seemingly Random Stuff (4)

Scott Douglas Jacobsen
In-Sight Publishing, Fort Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Correspondence: Scott Douglas Jacobsen (Email: [email protected])

Received: November 11, 2024
Accepted: N/A
Published: January 15, 2025

Abstract

This interview delves into the multifaceted life and scholarly pursuits of Scott Durgin, a Senior RF Design Engineer, Physics Instructor, and dedicated archaeologist. Scott shares significant personal milestones, including his recent marriage and impending fatherhood, alongside his professional endeavors and intellectual interests. The conversation explores his excavation of a geometric necropolis, the publication of his work “Arch Euclid Secret,” and his ongoing project “The Pentachoron,” which integrates Borges’ literary techniques. Scott also discusses his deep engagement with ancient geometries, mythology, and calendrical cycles, highlighting the overarching theme of “Ars est Celare Artum” (Art is to conceal art). Additionally, he provides insights into his views on the current political climate in the United States, emphasizing concerns over democratic stability. This interview offers a comprehensive understanding of Scott Durgin’s dedication to uncovering hidden geometric and symbolic patterns in history and art, as well as his reflections on balancing personal life with extensive scholarly and professional commitments.

Keywords: Archaeology, Art Concealment, Cartography, Celtic Witchery, Chronometry, Defense Engineering, Excavation, Geodetic Markers, Geometry, Hieroglyphs, Metrology, Mythology, Necropolis, Public Speaking, Religious Cycles, RF Design, Solis Sacerdotibus, Symbolism, The Pentachoron

Introduction

Scott Douglas Jacobsen conducted an in-depth interview with Scott Durgin, a multifaceted professional balancing roles as a Senior RF Design Engineer, Physics Instructor, and passionate archaeologist. The interview, published on January 15, 2025, captures Scott Durgin’s recent personal developments, including his marriage and the anticipation of his first child, alongside his extensive intellectual and excavation projects. Scott Durgin elaborates on his scholarly work, particularly his publications “Arch Euclid Secret” and “The Pentachoron,” which explore the intricate relationships between geometry, mythology, and ancient calendrical systems. Additionally, he discusses his ambitious excavation of a geometric necropolis, highlighting the challenges and discoveries involved in uncovering ancient petroglyphs and geodetic markers. The conversation also touches upon his perspectives on the evolving political landscape in the United States, reflecting his concerns over democratic principles. This interview provides a comprehensive view of Scott Durgin’s dedication to integrating ancient knowledge with modern scientific and engineering practices, as well as his efforts to balance personal life with his professional and scholarly pursuits.

Main Text (Interview)

Interviewer: Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Interviewee: Scott Durgin

Section 1: Personal Life Updates

Jacobsen: Scott, Scott here, it’s been a bit since last session. I owe you an apology for delays. This will be another “YUGE” session, but this will be done in parts, bite-size. Thank you for your immense patience with me. My questions will be piecemeal and original in some while others will build on prior responses. Let’s start light, my friend, what is newest in your life since our last session, session 3?

Durgin: Marriage recently, wife now pregnant, new discoveries, new job.

Section 2: High-IQ Societies

Jacobsen: Any developments on the high-IQ societies and high-IQ communities front?

Durgin: No.

Jacobsen: Any developments on the Giga Society of Paul Cooijmans front?

Durgin: Nothing recent other than publishing my “Arch Euclid Secret” in Thoth. Only 10 chapters so far. Just a semi-treatise on Astronomy, Chronometry, Metrology and Mythology. Should be less than 50 chapters but it’s been slow going with 2 professional jobs and my excavation craziness.

Jacobsen: Any developments on the high-IQ societies and high-IQ communities front?

Durgin: No.

Jacobsen: What about the Glia Society?

Durgin: No.

Section 3: Political Climate in the United States

Jacobsen: How is the political situation in the United States?

Durgin: A little crazy right now.

Section 4: IQ Tests and Intellectual Pursuits

Jacobsen: Have you taken any new IQ tests?

Durgin: No.

Jacobsen: Have you picked up any new languages or intellectual pursuits since last talking?

Durgin: Still working on Egyptian, getting okay at hieroglyphs! Also learning cartography because I’m mapping the geometric necropolis near my neck of the woods.

Section 5: Recent Reading

Jacobsen: Any good books lately?

Durgin: Bunch:

• Got a copy of Leonardo’s geometric drawings: 3D versions of tetrahedron, cuboctahedron, etc., full page, color, in his pencil pretty cool.
• Jewish Princedom in feudal France by Zuckerman
• Sanchuniathan’s Phoenician history, edited/annotated by Cumberland (died in 1721) super interesting tome.
• Mythical origin of the Egyptian temple by Eve A Reymond, probably my favorite. Excellent thesis published in 1969.
• In last 2 years acquired and read about 48 new books, but can’t remember them now. Some more here:
  • Codex Rosae Crucis by Manly Hall
  • Book of Kells by Sullivan
  • Feynman Lectures on Gravitation
  • Geometry of Light by Leonhardt and Philbin
  • Myth and Symbol in ancient Egypt by Rundle Clark
  • Legends of the Egyptian gods by Budge
  • Time by Marie Louis von Franz

Section 6: Drama in Personal Life

Jacobsen: Any new drama in your life?

Durgin: Nothing crazy.

Section 7: Dominant Life Theme

Jacobsen: What is the biggest new theme in your life that I should keep in mind this time?

Durgin: Ars est Celare Artum. Absolutely 100% dominant theme, been chasing it and finding it, then being chased by it for 2 decades now. Resurrected this last October like a giant monster and mistress.

Section 8: Marriage Details

Jacobsen: How did you and the wife meet?

Durgin: Restaurant after online.

Jacobsen: How long were you two together before being married?

Durgin: 7 years, almost exact.

Jacobsen: Who proposed to whom?

Durgin: Me to her in our favorite restaurant.

Jacobsen: What was the style of the wedding?

Durgin: Celtic witchery: Outdoors under the pines with pagoda.

Jacobsen: Who had more input the ceremony and the officiation?

Durgin: She did nearly everything, I had only a few things in mind.

Jacobsen: Who did the officiation? What was the theme and the aesthetic, the food and the attire, and the location?

Durgin: Local female officiant. Uxbridge, Mass., Celtic themes. She arrived in a horse-drawn carriage with her father. Read each other personal vows. Champagne-colored tuxedo for me, white bridal gown for her, with an elegant crown on her head. Five bridesmaids in maroon gowns, my daughter was Best Man.

Section 9: Expectant Father Session

Jacobsen: When are you expecting the new child? You might want to talk to Matthew Scillitani or Rick Rosner, new dad and old dad, respectively. Any objection to a three-way session on expectant dad, new dad, and old dad?

Durgin: January; no objections.

Section 10: New Discoveries

Jacobsen: What are some of the new discoveries? That’ll be trail of gummy worms with an open can behind it.

Durgin: You mean gummy bears… tasty gummy BEARS. Admittedly the analogy disappears with the can.

Section 11: Historical Patterns and Cycles

Durgin: Backdrop: Patterns in history provide a great substrate for understanding how the future unfolds. This is especially true when those patterns can be identified with numbers, cycles. Religious adherents of the deep past used numeric cycles (planetary or astronomical orbits, eclipses mostly, so basic astrology) to record and plan their holidays, legends/stories and epochal events. The Roman empire absorbed these when conquering various cultures, and then the Holy Roman Empire inherited it. They continue to this day. The Ancient Olmecs, Toltecs and Mayans did this too, to a remarkable extent. One very important example of this I have discovered recently is the plan to co-opt the Jewish intent on rebuilding their “temple”, whose grand historical cycles (mythical really) form a nexus in 2034-2041. The Roman Catholic Church has been aware of this for centuries, so they are counting down the clock too, and helping to arrange its success by interfering in geopolitical affairs, as they have done for centuries.

From a practical standpoint, the Church had “court mathematicians” or historians, per se (probably Jesuits) who would constantly study these natural cycles and then plan their own future events so as to stamp them with an air of divine origin or authority. In most cases, the activity is to back-date mythical events (like births of gods, emperors, etc.) so as to fit a pattern. Been doing this for centuries. I’ve tracked it, learning a lot of basic history myself in the process. The many gaps I have filled in my knowledge often confirm and re-confirm; but sometimes they contradict, which is where the real learning takes place.

Just 2 examples of studies like this are Breaking the Mayan Code by Michael Coe and the book by Zuckerman referenced above.

Section 12: Solar System Cycle Discovery

Durgin: A sidebar to the above activity allowed me to uncover a potentially meaningful solar system cycle, related to the ancient Jewish (Hebrew) calendar makers and myth makers: 25925 earth years is 9,468,900 days (and about 3-1/2 extra). The nominal number is a multiple of 2338 days and 13527 days, where 2338 days is an orbital syzygy of Earth, Mars and Venus (whose relative positions repeat after such number), whereas the 13527 is an approximate eclipse cycle (+/- 1 or 2 days), not part of the Saros cycle. If one divides 9468900 by 360, the result is about 26303 days, which is 72 years and about 5 days (making up one degree). This much Hipparchus approximated in his lifetime as well, but the prevailing theories up till now fixate on a more rounded 26000 years or 25920 years or thereabouts. I have my own. NASA uses the 2338-day cycle to ensure our landers take off from Earth with the right timing to optimize the trip to Mars. I believe this cycle is related to the Chandler wobble, but have had no time or any puke grad students at my disposal to experiment. Example: about every 6.4 years it is known that the Chandler wobble experiences some sort of “reset”. A bit of literature on it, but no recollection right now. My suspicions are raised due to the fact the wobble has a ~433-day cycle. 54 cycles fit approximately into 10 syzygies of 2338 days (i.e., 433 x 54 = 23382 days).

Also interesting is the above ratio 9468900/360 is very close to 71499/e, where e is the natural logarithm (2.71828…), a number close to 2.72, naturally.

Section 13: Geometric Solomon’s Seal

Durgin: Gigantic Solomon’s seal laid out in plan form, deep in the woods; formed at vertices by granite boulders, 273 ft apart (about). Pentagram overlaid such that its vertex is coincident with center of top crossbar (one of six legs of the hexagram). Hexagram and pentagram are tilted to the NW by 15 degrees, such that the internal 45-45-90 triangle has sides (approx 193 ft) aligned N-S and E-W. This 15-degree delta can only occur at certain earth locations, so it’s possible the intent was an enormous geodetic marker. This internal triangle I found first (about 6 years ago). Took more than a decade of repeated measurements to finally work most of it out, but the years of uncertainty, confusion and doubt were all worth it, due to the intensity of clarity that takes hold (things falling together in rapid succession) when the solution is approached, and then all the mistakes I made in the past are understood and I slap my forehead.

Section 14: Current Jobs

Jacobsen: What is the new job, or are the current jobs?

Durgin: Large defense contractor, functionally I am a Senior RF Design Engineer. I also double as a Physics Instructor and a marketing strategist.

Section 15: Arch Euclid Secret

Jacobsen: What is “Arch Euclid Secret”? Anything else to be included outside of Astronomy, Chronometry, Metrology and Mythology?

Durgin: No, that’s enough. Actually, I am still working on The Pentachoron, which is a fugue-like literary creation of mine. I’m attempting to fuse all 4 of Borges’ literary devices together: (a) The Voyage through Time, (b) the Story within the Story, (c) the Contamination of Reality by the Dream, and (d) the Double. I have had intimate knowledge of each of these in my life, especially FUCKING ALL OF THEM. So a labyrinth I get trapped in is an apt metaphor, especially if I must create a labyrinth in order to enter the big one; then be trapped for aeons.

I can’t easily summarize Arch Euclid Secret other than to say the central and primary theme is Geometry, which is the most archaic form of knowledge we know of (predates language, symbols, letters, orthography, etc.), preserved by ancient priests (Egyptian, Mayan, Babylonian), eventually discovered and preserved by modern-day Freemasons. One Secret (I believe known to Euclid) is in plain sight to those who study geometry and its history: latent in art, language, mythology (scripture); also used in metrology, chronometry, and astronomical observations. The relationship crosses over to religious treasures and artifacts: Noah’s Ark, Enoch’s pillars, Enoch’s altar, the Emerald tablet, Solomon’s Temple, The Ark of the Covenant, the grail, etc., which all have very exhaustive and precise geometric detail in their references.

This secret is just one example of a geometric relationship (which ties together many of the above) and is that between the Egyptian royal cubit (“RC” which I take to be 1.72 feet or 20.64 inches) versus √3 = 1.7320508…. An equilateral triangle is the best form to illustrate this, where the sides are about 71-1/2 feet, then its height is ~36 RC. The relation is precise if the sides are 72×1.72/√3 = 71.499057336… So close to 71.5 ft that no practical distinction could be made even today, excepting laser measurement or maybe thin film processes.

Inclusion of the number 68 ties together the equilateral triangle with the pentagram. That is, 68 feet is 25 RC + 25 feet = total 25 “megalithic yards” (“MY” = 2.72 feet). Coincidentally, if a pentagram has sides of ~71.5 ft, then its height (which is the height of its circumscribed pentagon) is very near 68 feet, especially if the 71.499… metric is used: 72 x 1.72/√3 x (cosine 18) = 67.999644… Again, close enough that the ancients would not have detected a difference. Both these numbers (71.5 or 72, and 68) appear to have been used on a few obelisks (the height of Cleopatra’s needles, for example). What I like about this is the fusion of ancient metrology: MY, RD, and feet. Jefferson worked on this, so did Newton a century before him.

I have rational reasons for believing Euclid was well aware of this obvious little pearl of a relation, and have thus commandeered a Greek letter for its definition: Ξ (def) = 72×1.72/√3

This also dovetails back into the orbital cycles and calendric chicanery previously mentioned, but not enough space here to cover.

Section 16: Excavation Projects and Petroglyphs

Jacobsen: What have you been excavating? Any related to petroglyphs?

Durgin: Yes, the above #3. There are dozens of petroglyphs there; four of them are:

• Gigantic head of what appears to be a Griffin (used to think was an owl)
• Serpent
• Turtle
• Head of a crane, or sandpiper/bird. I call it Saiph.

The griffin head is about a 10-ton stone, the serpent consists of 4 segments of granite stones laid out in a 34-35 ft length (each stone about 8 feet x 4 ft, so these are ~5 tons each). Its head bears an additional carving of the griffin’s claw and just above the serpent’s mouth, one of the talons in the claw is pressing down on a small stone, intended to represent a pearl or perhaps gemstone. The serpent is about 300 ft south of the griffin and extends from north to south, tail to head. There is a geometric arrangement of all of these that I am still working out, very difficult and time-consuming. Over a 60-acre spread in deep woods, completely covered in granite stones. So the “Find the pattern among chaos” is an apt symbol here. Perhaps even the labyrinth.

Saiph is only visible after March, due to the necessary sun’s elevation to cast a shadow on the stone (otherwise viewing is impossible). Brilliant carving, as it is in bas-relief too. Finding it was a magic moment, as with a few others not mentioned here.

Section 17: Political Views on Dictatorship

Jacobsen: What kind of “a little crazy right now”?

Durgin: What is crazy is that Trump’s followers have no problem with a dictatorship. Never thought I would see this kind of anti-American idiocy in my lifetime. And when liberals (or even rational conservatives for that matter) force their little heads around to observe the constitution’s guarantee on individual freedoms, they shout “dictator!” It’s formidably amazing how ignorant these people are and how close we are to losing the Republic. There is hope, though…

Section 18: Curiosity as Motivation

Jacobsen: What seems to have spurred all this new activity?

Durgin: My unholy curiosity.

Section 19: Egyptian Hieroglyphs Characterization

Jacobsen: What is an accurate way in which to characterize Egyptian hieroglyphs as a language?

Durgin: Solis Sacerdotibus: Only for the initiated.

Section 20: Geometric Necropolis

Jacobsen: What is the geometric necropolis?

Durgin: “I learned the secret among the bones of the dead.”

Still working everything out, see above #3. It may be a ritual-only necropolis (no dead bodies), but this is a multi-generation construction, so I don’t know for sure yet. Learning how to lift 2000-3000 pound stones out of a 14-foot deep hole I excavated; also excavated a 40 ft long tunnel (connected to the hole at its bottom) through near solid granite; took me 4 months to go 20 feet, and this slightly below the water table, so imagine laying supine on ledge deep below ground with 6-10 ft of stone and a further 6 ft of earth above you, dragging yourself by your arms across the ledge and through about 6-9” of cold water; all the while the ledge ABOVE you is scraping your backside as you move forward in the dark…). All this in a remote wooded area with hand tools. Insanity. But, regarding its construction, seems like a lot of work for ritual. Perhaps they were creating a mythical ancestry due to the fact they were exiles. That is…maybe their parents, grandparents, etc., were all buried back home, so in order to create the psychological illusion/impression they were still with them, they built a pseudo-cemetery. This does tie in to Reymond’s thesis tangentially.

Section 21: Da Vinci’s Drawings

Jacobsen: What are da Vinci’s drawings telling you?

Durgin: That he also knew.

Section 22: Jewish Princedom

Jacobsen: What is Jewish princedom?

Durgin: A 1972 study about the 8th/9th century activity in France, which paralleled the rise and reign of Charlemagne. His family apparently merged with that of a Jewish Prince (“Nazir”) from Babylonia who was brought over (by King Pepin, Charlemagne’s father) to rule the Jewish communities in Narbonne (against the Pope’s wishes). Narbonne was part of Septimania in southern France (not far from Rennes le Chateau), Carcassonne, Rennes le Bains, etc.), and it is here that Pepin and his sons established a Jewish Princedom, according to Zuckerman. The use of calendar cycles on the part of the Jews was covered here, for they were believing a Jewish Kingdom could be established in time, thus their Messiah would show. Many Christians (leaders) were spitting and farting in their chairs, of course; just beside themselves to death, especially Pope Stephen.

Section 23: Phoenician History Connection

Jacobsen: How does the Phoenician history tie into this new work?

Durgin: It doesn’t too much. One is ancient, the other Medieval. They both make reference to calendar cycles, of sorts, but Cumberland was so clouded and poisoned in his judgment by his attempt to show Sanchuniathon as “heathen,” versus “proper Christian,” that it’s difficult to unveil the nuggets and disentangle the actual facts. Religion poisons everything, as Hitchens said.

Section 24: Reymond’s Conclusion

Jacobsen: What is Reymond’s conclusion?

Durgin: My brutal summary does not do 10% justice to her work, which is brilliant: The Ancient Egyptian Temple is entirely mythical (at its beginning), except for the pattern first established. All future versions of the temple are simply copies and manifestations of the original. This is similar to the concept of an architectural plan or engineering drawing/blueprint representing all future buildings constructed from it, but the original is deeply ensconced in myth. In the same way, all the Hebrew treasures (including the temple) are conceptual only. Those who choose to build one are simply manifesting a particular version of it (“true copies”).

This dovetails into my Arch-Euclid Secret in the sense that Geometry on paper is perfect. Geometry in concept is perfect (like the grail, or ark of the covenant), but real practical geometry is not and never can be. There are no perfectly straight lines, perfectly parallel lines, perfect circles, etc., except in concept. Euclid knew this, of course.

The Egyptians used natural elements to inform their myth: Hawks, reeds, serpents, catastrophes, islands, fire, turtles, etc., as well as precise geometry. Much like the South Americans. Typically, they used √2, √3, and √5 (emphasis on two meanings of the term “root”). Interestingly, I believe they were inspired by the constellation of Orion, because a simple rendition of the stars (i.e., flattened onto a map) come close: From Saiph to Rigel to Bellatrix forms a very near 1-2-√3 triangle (30-60-90 degrees). A pseudo-rectangular version of the constellation may have been used as a design for a flat stone gnomon in the deep past.

Section 25: Dominant Theme Connection

Jacobsen: How is “Ars est Celare Artum” or art is to conceal art connecting everything as a “dominant theme”?

Durgin: Geometry hidden in Art (like Poussin, Teniers, da Vinci, etc.), Geometry hidden in calendar cycles and mythologies (art imitating life and vice versa), my excavation project: same. The geometric stone necropolis is the ultimate example of true art concealing art within a chaotic landscape, and further concealing sweet spots within the geometry. I have attempted to conceal art within my own work as well. Inspiration. The theme which preceded this was deeply ingrained in me from over 25 years ago: Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.

Discussion

This interview with Scott Durgin provides a deep exploration of his multifaceted life, seamlessly integrating personal milestones with extensive professional and scholarly endeavors. Scott’s recent marriage and the anticipation of his first child mark significant personal developments, showcasing his ability to balance intimate relationships with demanding career roles. Professionally, he serves as a Senior RF Design Engineer at a large defense contractor, while also fulfilling responsibilities as a Physics Instructor and a marketing strategist. This combination highlights his versatility and commitment to both technical and educational fields.

A substantial portion of the discussion centers around Scott’s scholarly pursuits, particularly his work on “Arch Euclid Secret” and his ongoing project “The Pentachoron.” These projects reflect his profound interest in geometry, mythology, and the intersection of ancient knowledge with modern scientific principles. The overarching theme of “Ars est Celare Artum” (Art is to conceal art) underscores his belief in the hidden complexities within art and ancient structures, emphasizing the concealed geometric and symbolic patterns that have influenced historical and contemporary contexts.

Scott’s excavation of a geometric necropolis reveals his dedication to uncovering and understanding ancient geometrical arrangements and petroglyphs. This project not only demonstrates his hands-on approach to archaeology but also his commitment to preserving and interpreting historical artifacts. His ability to manage such an ambitious excavation alongside his professional duties speaks to his exceptional time management and unwavering passion for uncovering historical truths.

Additionally, Scott’s extensive reading list and his efforts to learn Egyptian hieroglyphs and cartography illustrate his relentless pursuit of knowledge and intellectual growth. His engagement with a diverse array of subjects, from ancient civilizations to modern scientific theories, showcases his interdisciplinary approach to understanding the world.

The interview also delves into Scott’s perspectives on the current political climate in the United States, where he expresses concerns over democratic stability and the rise of anti-democratic sentiments. His critical views on both political extremes reflect a deep-seated commitment to maintaining democratic principles and ethical responsibility, aligning with his broader humanistic values.

Overall, the interview highlights Scott Durgin’s dedication to integrating ancient knowledge with modern scientific and engineering practices. It underscores his ability to navigate the complexities of balancing personal life with demanding scholarly and professional commitments, painting a portrait of a highly dedicated and intellectually curious individual.

Methods

The interviewer, Scott Douglas Jacobsen, conducted a semi-structured interview with Scott Durgin to facilitate an in-depth conversation. With Scott Durgin’s consent, the interview was held either online or in person, depending on logistical arrangements. The session was recorded to ensure accuracy and later transcribed verbatim. The transcript was then edited for clarity and organization, maintaining the integrity of Scott Durgin’s responses while presenting them in a coherent and accessible format.

Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current article. All interview content remains the intellectual property of the interviewer and interviewee.

References

(No external academic sources were cited for this interview.)

Journal & Article Details

• Publisher: In-Sight Publishing
• Publisher Founding: March 1, 2014
• Web Domain: http://www.in-sightpublishing.com
• Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
• Journal: In-Sight: Interviews
• Journal Founding: August 2, 2012
• Frequency: Four Times Per Year
• Review Status: Non-Peer-Reviewed
• Access: Electronic/Digital & Open Access
• Fees: None (Free)
• Volume Numbering: 13
• Issue Numbering: 2
• Section: A
• Theme Type: Idea
• Theme Premise: “Outliers and Outsiders”
• Theme Part: 33
• Formal Sub-Theme: None
• Individual Publication Date: January 15, 2025
• Issue Publication Date: April 1, 2025
• Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
• Word Count: 3,271
• Image Credits: Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash
• ISSN (International Standard Serial Number): 2369-6885

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Scott Durgin for his time and willingness to participate in this interview.

Author Contributions

S.D.J. conceived and conducted the interview, transcribed and edited the conversation, and prepared the manuscript.

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

License & Copyright

In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
© Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing 2012–Present.

Unauthorized use or duplication of material without express permission from Scott Douglas Jacobsen is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links must use full credit to Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing with direction to the original content.

Supplementary Information

Below are various citation formats for Conversation with Scott Durgin on Lots of Seemingly Random Stuff.

Note on Formatting

This layout follows an adapted Nature research-article structure, tailored for an interview format. Instead of Methods, Results, and Discussion, we present Interview transcripts and a concluding Discussion. This design helps maintain scholarly rigor while accommodating narrative content.

#3 #Archaeology #ArtConcealment #Cartography #CelticWitchery #Chronometry #DefenseEngineering #Excavation #GeodeticMarkers #Geometry #Hieroglyphs #Metrology #mythology #Necropolis #PublicSpeaking #ReligiousCycles #RFDesign #SolisSacerdotibus #Symbolism #ThePentachoron

💡 Need more personalized help? Is your challenge more complex or unique, involving different specifications or circuit types?

🎯 We’ve got you covered!

🚀Don’t wait—contact @innowave for a quote on your RF circuit or radio design problems: https://buff.ly/3NPPCcn

🚀Contact @innowave for a quote on RF Circuit design and Measurement Training and Consultancy. https://buff.ly/3CcvzlY

#RFDesign #RadioFrequency #Electronics #PowerAmplifier #LNA #KeysightADS #RFEngineering #CircuitDesign

💡 Need more personalized help? Is your challenge more complex or unique, involving different specifications or circuit types?

🎯 We’ve got you covered!

🚀Don’t wait—contact @innowave for a quote on your RF circuit or radio design problems: https://buff.ly/3NPPCcn

🚀Contact @innowave for a quote on RF Circuit design and Measurement Training and Consultancy. https://buff.ly/3CcvzlY

#RFDesign #RadioFrequency #Electronics #PowerAmplifier #LNA #KeysightADS #RFEngineering #CircuitDesign