Build your own Seismograph Station

Last Updated: 04/08/2018

• A White Paper on A/D system dynamic range needed for seismic recording.
• Article by Bob Barns on a method you can use to calibrate your sensor.
• Guidelines for Installing Broadband Seismic Instrumentation. Interesting information from the Berkeley Seismograph Station Web site.
• Article by Allan Coleman on lengthening the natural period of a Lehman seismometer.
• Homebuilt Seismograph FAQ. and Seismology Bibliography and Book Reviews
• E-Mail correspondence on how to build a Lehman Seismograph.
• PSN Event File Format used by WinQuake and Quakevu.
• Archives of the PSNLIST Mailing List.
• WWVB and SDR. This page describes how to use Radio Shack's Radio Controlled Clock as a time reference for SDR.
• Seismic Sensors and Their Calibration. Overview of feedback seismometers design by Prof. Erhard Wielandt. (Website)
• Seismometer Pivot / Flexure Studies by Charles R. Patton, Chris Chapman and Brett Nordgren
• Sensor Calibration using Free Software - Link to SeisMowin by Mauro Mariotti
• How to Build a Seismograph by Steve Jones
• Period Extension Filters This type of filter can be used to extend the frequency range of your sensor.

Seismograph Sensor Plans and Information

• Lehman Sensor
• Shackleford-Gundersen Sensor
• A Force-Balance Seismometer by Karl Cunningham
• A Leafspring Broadband Vertical Seismometer by Sean-Thomas Morrissey. Sean passed away March 6, 2002
• Compilation of Email Message from Sean-Thomas Morrissey about his VBB Vertical sensor (62K ZIP file)
• Photos of other PSN stations
• Greg's Geophone FAQ  has information on Geophones. Geophones are short period devices used to record local or large regional events
• Nice Little Seismograph for Children by Tom Leiper
• A Folded Pendulum seismometer Electronics package by David H. Youden
• Keith Payea's STM-8 Leafspring Broadband Vertical Seismometer
• Bernd Ulmann in Germany has constructed several seismometers as will as other seismic equipment
• Steve Jones (AlabamaQuake.com) has built several sensors including a S-G Sensor and Inyo Force Balance Broadband Vertical (FBV) Seismometer
• How to Build a Slinky Seismometer by the Boise State Seismic Station Network
• Amateur Horizontal Component Broadband Seismometer by Allan Coleman
• STS-2 Tri-Axial Seismometer Manual and Schematic

Event File Viewer and Datalogging Software

See our Software Page for more information

Other Sources

• ForceField at www.wondermagnet.com specialize in selling surplus, and new Neodymium rare earth magnets.
• K&J Magnetics at www.kjmagnetics.com also has strong neodymium rare earth magnets for sale.
• Stanford Magnets at www.stanfordmagnets.com, magnet supplier specialized in NdFeB, SmCo, AlNiCo, and other magnets.
  

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