On Jan 18, 11:17 am, Mike Monett wrote:

You can determine the probability these waves exist with very simple
logic.

The range equations for radar and deep space communication are very
well established, and the radiated energy is well understood. In
order to make progress on discovering longitudinal waves, you have
to find some anomaly. If you could show some error in the equations
where power was missing, you might be on to something. But first you
have to show there really is an anomaly.

I'll be the first to admit there doesn't appear to be much probability
for longitudinal waves, since there seems to be no convincing
empirical evidence. But, as with Michelson and Morley, who LOGICALLY
thought that light should travel at a slower speed against the aether,
maybe we just haven't been doing the right observation. Current theory
says longitudinal waves can't happen, so nobody seriously looks for
them or thinks to attribute any potential anomaly to them. We might
have a case of circular reasoning. Besides, practical antennas are
designed for transverse far-fields, so I don't expect they would
produce much in the way of longitudinal waves, which may be a near-
field phenomena.

The quaternion development of EM theory implies that charge divergence
is one source of longitudinal waves. That happens along the axis of
antenna conductors, but I doubt the efficiency of conversion, assuming
there is any, would be very high. Another theoretical source of
longitudinal waves come from high rate of change electric fields.
Tesla's inventions exhibited both sources. His pancake coils created
high current divergence, albeit in a spiral pattern. And his high
voltage spark discharge devices created exceedingly high rates of
change of voltage.

Where would the power come from for longitudinal waves? If I can't use
regular electricity, I'm holding out for conversion of zero-point
energy or direct mass-energy conversion. Yeah, I know, more crackpot
long shots.

I'll need something to do in retirement other than the wife's
housework. I read that mental challenges help stave off Alzheimer's.
You can't beat this for a challenge. Or maybe this falling down this
rabbit hole of kookism is the onset of Alzheimer's. Hmm. Hadn't
thought of that before.