A decade of MacGyver acoustics

This work presents lessons learned while aspiring to measure long distance outdoor sound propagation in an initially resource-limitedprogram. This recounts the use of many components secured from discount stores and online vendors which are not typically incorporated in scientific research. These include inexpensive condenser microphones, portable speakers, and audio recorders more commonly seen in karaoke venues than acoustics labs. The price of using such relatively inexpensive hardware is the sweat equity required for validation and verification of these items for the research use case, to include both calibration and stability issues. Furthermore, the successful use of this equipment required developing effective protocols for use in the littoral environment and all of the threats therein: sand, salt water, and thunderstorms. This presentation will discuss the specific hardware and factors to consider when adapting devices for research applications.