Research Summary 2005 – 2011:

Experiments Reveal “Dowsing Rods” Act As Dipole Antennas: Evidence and Applications

By

John S. Janks

October 29, 2011

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

1

PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER

This paper summarizes the findings of six years of experimentation and documentation of “dowsing rod” behavior, and presents applications of them to both civilians and military personnel. At present, the findings indicate that “dowsing rods” are in actuality dipole antennas and obey physical laws of nature. Vague terminology such as “energy,” “vibrations,” or “psychic power” is unnecessary. The experiments published, from 2006 to the present, used basic investigative science methods only.1,2,3 to those that expanded the findings to include the evidence that the rods are actually dipole antennas, only empirical measurements, documented by videos were used.

The term “dowsing rod” transcended to “dipole antenna” as the field research and data rolled in with each new experiment. 4,5,6 Those seeking a basic understand of dipoles (a familiar example is the old “rabbit ears” that sat atop most TVs decades ago) are referred to the work of Ott.7 Every term used in the studies has a concrete scientific definition. If new data conflicted with the working hypothesis then it was the hypothesis that had to be modified.

The findings can be grouped into four major categories:

1. L-shaped rods made of almost any metal and capable of conducting electric current. These can be aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, iron, steel, and all can be purchased locally.

2. Human beings. In order for dipole antennas to function, a parasitic capacitor is built up inside the human holding the rods.

3. A force strong enough to make the antennas move. This is most likely the electromagnetic fields and electric (telluric) currents that surround the earth 24 hours a day.8

4. Buried objects and aboveground tripwires. Buried objects of any composition can be detected because dipoles respond to differences in electrical currents (the “potential”), not specific materials. Therefore, buried objects and above ground tripwires can be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, synthetics, or any material that has an electrical conductivity different from the soil it is buried in.

The experimentation and methodology followed in these studies conformed to those of professional experimental scientists.9 By following strict scientific protocol questionable theories about minerals, pendulums, or psychic powers of the dowsing rod-dipole antenna was avoided. We, however, respect those who strongly believe in extrasensory powers attributed to these rods.10

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

2

INTRODUCTION

Understandably, the scientific and military sectors have been closed-minded toward these discoveries, no matter what the potential for saving lives. In a revealing book,11 “Deadly Decisions,” Christopher Burns describes how military (and other) organizations are hesitant to give a new topic a chance; if for example, it has failed in the past. Leaders are hesitant to follow advice from new and unfamiliar sources in a decision process called “Source Selection.” While this may sound reasonable, it is too restrictive and can disallow valuable information. It was this process that ignored a six-hour advance notice of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Another strategy used to ignore new information is “Queuing” where new and unfamiliar information is put at the end of the line with a promise it will be reviewed. It rarely is. As Burns describes it,

“Queuing is a simple mechanism that permits the organization to replace individual myopia and unpredictable bias with a consistent level of planned ignorance.”

To our knowledge, there has been no other undertaking that has studied “dowsing rod” patterns, especially in detail – and none have come to the conclusion that dowsing rods are dipole antennas. The similarity is illustrated in Figure 1. Dipole antennas, once so common they sat on nearly every TV set, are two L-shaped metal rods that are not connected. A current introduced at the short end of the antennas will generate a return path that creates a parasitic capacitor (left side). The right side of Figure 1 shows a nearly identical construct except that in this case the capacitor passes through the person holding the rods.

We hope that these reports, the rod movement pattern recognition, and the applications will eventually lead to official testing. The rods’ ability to locate buried objects and above ground tripwires could certainly be beneficiary to every US serviceman/woman. Their ability to locate tunnels and caches could be used by Department Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration, and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

3

Hand-held Dipole Antenna Behavior Explained Using Known Physical Phenomena

Anyone reading most publications on dowsing, particularly those involved with water, will usually find that as a dowser is questioned, the more vague and unclear become his/her answers. 12 No one has come up with a comprehensive working hypothesis to date, but a large number of academics, engineers and scientists are convinced of the validity of the method.13

The study summarized here is based upon everyday materials (that can be used by anyone), empowered by known electrical sources, and follow the principles of established physics (i.e., dipoles).

1. Materials . Dipole antennas can be made of copper, steel, aluminum or brass that can be purchased at any hardware store. The same holds true for buried objects of metal, ceramic or plastic.

2. Human beings provide the dipole system with a convenient parasitic capacitor.

3. Electrical energy. The most likely candidates are the numerous electromagnetic fields and natural electric (telluric) currents that are found in the earth itself, although we are usually unaware of their presence.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

4

Figure 1. Left image is a diagram of current flow through the two L-shaped rods of a dipole antenna. Image at right is a photograph of a user locating a buried object using L-shaped rods.

4. Dipoles. “Dowsing rods” and dipole antennas share many common characteristics. For example, when connected with a conductive wire, dipoles and dowsing rods cease functioning (no electrical potential). Similarly, by adding more metal to the dowsing rod, the reaction to a buried object is stronger not weaker – another characteristic of dipoles. Dowsing rods, like dipoles, do not need grounding.

These four points are important because they bring the dowsing rod discussion to the level of scientific phenomena that can be tested and measured.

Properties and Applications of Hand-Held Dipole Antennas

The purpose of this extensive study was to determine dipole properties, drawbacks, and most importantly, applications to Armed Forces and DHS/ICE personnel. Keep in mind that hand-held dipole antennas are very cost effective, require some but not extensive training, and can be carried by everyone needing them. Below is a list of potential applications:

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),

Landmines ,

Buried cords and wires ,

Tunnels ,

Caches ,

Aboveground tripwires .

Table 1 (below) summarizes the important properties. In many cases, dipole antennas are superior to what is currently available.

This table lists the general characteristics of the buried object or above ground tripwire, its composition, and other major properties that can be observed with the hand held dipoles (i.e., Standoff Distance or Dipole Movement Patterns).

Some points to remember: dipole antennas do not work if they are connected by a conductive wire. They respond to most, if not all wires, whether the wires are live or dead. Details of all these responses, including those listed below, are listed in a course manual on the subject.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

5

Table 1: Hand Held Dipole Antenna Empirical Observations

Antenna or Target Behavior Observed

Buried Object Composition Containers can be plastic, metal or ceramic. Synthetic cords or insulated wires are identified.

Standoff Distances Standoff distances depend upon the size and shape. For example, a quart can is 10 meters, a gallon one 20+.

Above Ground Tripwires Tripwires of any composition can be detected at least 0.5 meters away.

Hand Held Dipole Characteristics

Larger, longer, and those with more metal respond sooner and at greater distances.

Dipole Antenna Behavior The antenna farthest from the source object always moves first.

Multiple Buried Objects Rod movement can be detected as far as 60+ meters from the objects, but only on the line they define.

Antennas Follow Aircraft Along takeoff and landing patterns, outermost antenna always follows the aircraft.

Tunnels Tunnels express themselves as changes in the behavior of both rods. Reinforced walls and shoring timbers amplify the surface signal.

Caches The boundary between native soil and caches makes a sharp distinction in rod movement. The outline and size of the cache can be traced.

Composition of the Buried Object/Target

The composition of the buried object is of minor importance because they respond to electric potentials (i.e., differences) rather than to specific materials such as plastics, metals and ceramics. The difference in electrical conductivities between the object and the soil it is buried in can be in the billions.

Standoff Distances

The “Standoff Distance” is the distance between the soldier and the explosive device. There is a direct correlation between size, shape and the distance the rods first move. Additionally, experimentation with two newer versions (of the same length) has shown that the standoff distance can be increased by at least 40%.

Aboveground Tripwires

Tripwires, which pose a very dangerous threat to troops on the ground, can be detected between 0.5 meter and 1 meter from the wire itself. This provides ample distance for the soldier to avoid activating the tripwire explosive.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

6

General Dipole Characteristics

Larger and longer metal rods respond sooner than shorter ones. Thus, using a much longer rod when looking for tripwires will provide the soldier with additional warning distance. Another universal characteristic is that the rod farthest from the buried object will move the most. In addition, buried objects give much stronger responses than those sitting on the surface.14

Multiple Buried Objects

When two or more buried objects are close together, the standoff distance along the line defined by the two objects can be 60+ meters or greater.

Aircraft

Dipole antennas will track the movement of aircraft, particularly low-flying aircraft. This is most likely due to signal generated by the aircraft’s transponder.

Tunnels

Tunnels are linear features and as such are given to simple analysis using dipole antennas. The boundaries of the effects of tunnels are shown by rods bending inward until the centerline is reached. Shoring timbers, cement reinforcement, electric lines, all enhance the signal on the surface.

Caches

Caches are a general term to indicate a known burial site for almost anything including weapons, explosives, contraband, and paper. These items all have distinct electrical conductivities from the soil where they’re buried. Furthermore, they are usually found near the surface. There is usually a sharp boundary between the buried material and the soil surrounding it, which provides a distinct rod movement pattern. The surface extent of the cache can be easily traced using dipole rods.

CONCLUSIONS

Empirical study of the dowsing rod phenomenon over the period 2005-2011 has yielded a remarkable treasure of information that has either heretofore not been studied or has never been printed. Among the leading topics are: (1) dowsing rods are hand-held dipole antennas and as such obey the same physical properties, (2) dipole antennas (their proper name) can identify plastics, ceramics, paper, metals, bone, and other material. This is because the dipole depends not on the material, but the electrical potential created.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

7

They potentially offer US soldiers an ability to detect landmines, IEDs, tripwires, caches, and tunnels. To date, the armed forces have refused to give them a test at no cost. The DHS and ICE agencies may also be able to use these tools as a cost-effective, lightweight and accurate method to uncover caches and tunnels. While much publicity has centered on the high-tech methods in use along our southern border, they are almost universally restricted to ground level and above. Drug and weapons smugglers have discovered it is simpler and safer to simply tunnel under the border security. So far, DHS/ICE have not tested the dipole method either. There is great potential to the benefit of the American Soldier and Marine as well as citizens along the border if this method is given proper and rigorous testing.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

8

REFERENCES

1. Janks, J.S., 2006, “Utility and Limits of Dowsing Rods to Chart the Subsurface,” Frontier Perspectives, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 26-31.

2. Janks, J.S., 2006, “Correspondence,” Frontier Perspectives, vol. 15, no.2, pp. 5-7.3. Janks, J.S., 2010, “Dowsing Rods: Empirical Evidence and Applications for

Charting the Subsurface, J. Borderlands Science, vol. 60, pp. 1-10.4. Janks, J.S., “Dowsing Rod Videos: I. E. Sigma,” J. Borderland Science,

http://research.borderlands.com/wiki/Dowsing_Rod_Science_(I.E._Sigma_video)5. Janks, J. S., 2011, “Low Technology Method to Locate Landmines, IED, and

Tripwires,” Scribd., http://www.scribd.com/doc/65351175/Low-Technology-for-Detecting-Landmines-IEDs-and-Tripwires, pp. 1-11.

6. Janks, J. S., 2011, “How to Stop Landmines from Killing Soldiers Now,” Scribd., http://www.scribd.com/doc/66873198/How-to-Stop-Landmines-and-IEDs-From-Killing-Soldiers-Now, pp.1-12.

7. Ott, H. W., 2002, “Dipoles for Dummies, Parts 1, 2 & 3,” Henry Ott Consultants, www.hottconsultants.com.

8. Hendry, J., 2009, “Surface Waves: What Are They? Why Are They Interesting?,” 4th SEAS DTC Technical Conf., Edinburgh, 10 p.

9. Cotton, J. L. and R. J. Scalise, 2003, “The Scientific Method – Critical and Creative Thinking (Debunking Pseudoscience),” Course Outline Physics 3333 / CFB 3333, http://www.physics.smu.edu/~pseudo/.

10. “Lonestar Dowsers Meet September 13th,” 2011, www.lonestardowsers.webs.com, September 12, 2011, 2 p.

11. Burns, C. B., 2008, Deadly Decisions, Promethius Books, NY, NY, 360 p.12. Bird, C., 2000, The Divining Hand: The 500-Year Old Mystery of Dowsing,

Whitford Press, West Chester, PA, 372 p.13. Lomas, R., 2011, “A Study of Possible Mechanisms of Dowsing for Water,”

http://www.turningthesolomonkey.com/?s=dowsing, July 16, 2011, 7 p.14. PBS Scientific American Frontiers, Beyond Science, 1997,

http://www.pbs.org/saf/transcripts/transcript802.htm.

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

9

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John S. Janks has a BA from Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL and an MS from the University of Illinois at Chicago, both in geology. He worked in the oil, gas and chemical industries for 25 years. For nineteen of those years he worked at Texaco and Chevron/Texaco subsidiaries. He developed x-ray diffraction quantitative methods, worked in environmental geology and remote sensing. Remote sensing included satellite spectral data, spy satellite photography, and aerial photographic analysis. He developed a satellite spectral program to identify and quantify oil field operations. He taught courses and wrote manuals in all these areas of science.

For the past 20 years he has used dipole antennas for locating buried objects, waste pits, pipelines, and wellheads made of metals, plastics and ceramics. The dipole antenna program was also used in providing “ground truth” for satellite and aerial photograph analyses.

He has written over 30 papers and abstracts. He has spoken to domestic and international groups on x-ray diffraction methodology, satellite and aerial photography interpretation, and oil seep detection. His work has included regions such as the “stans,” the Arabian Peninsula, Angola, Peru, Colombia, China and parts of SE Asia. He has prepared environmental analyses for the governments of Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. Abstracts of his papers are available upon request.

He is a U. S. Navy Vietnam Veteran.

He can be reached at: seagersystems@gmail.com

Copyright 2011 © ∑eager Detection Systems, LLCAll Rights Reserved

10