Heterodyning & Bowstring Silencers
The photo finds me running tests with bowstring silencers positioned at different locations on the bowstring of my bow. It all started with a tip from a fellow archer who thought I might like to experiment a bit being I have an interest in radio theory.
For those not aware as to the definition of 'heterodyning' it is two different frequencies that are combined to produce two new frequencies, the sum and difference of the two original frequencies.
With three bows in my arsenal of bows, I have tried many different bowstring silencers to silence the twang that can be created upon releasing an arrow. In fact if the twang is loud enough, game animals such as a deer will jump out of the way of an arrow coming their way at the sound of the arrow being released.
For the most part and having tried different silencers, I find that I have good success with 'catwhiskers' made up of thin strips of rubber fingers attached to the bowstring at either end of the bowstring. I do use another style made from thin strips of beaver fur on my hunting bow that works quite well also.
However, with this new theory related to heterodyning, I decided to try it out. It required that I measure the distance between the top and bottom of the bow where the bowstring touched the limbs. With this measurement being 54". I then divided 54" by 4 equaling 13.5" and then once more dividing 54" by 3 equaling 18".
With these measurements in hand, I placed the top silencer 13.5" down from where the bowstring leaves the upper limb, and the lower silencer up 18" from where the bowstring leaves the lower limb.
Doing so cancels out the sustaining frequencies that would make a string without silencers twang when released. The quartering distance (13.5") cancels out all even multiples of the frequencies and the distance in thirds cancels out all the odd multiples of the frequencies.
The end result is a string that resists vibration after the arrow is released and goes thump instead of twang.
Have I noticed a difference you ask,....seems to make a difference, although the silencers were quite effective to start with, but I'll report back after further testing.
