Abstract: A seismic communications system including a central control and recording station and a plurality of remote data acquisition stations, the stations being approximately in line and connected to each other by one or two transmission lines. One line is all that is necessary if the central station is at one end of the line of stations; however, if the central station has some acquisition stations upstream and some downstream therefrom, two lines are required. Coded central strobe bursts put on a transmission line at the central station successively cause insertion of digital seismic data from successively more remote acquisition stations, the data being time slotted after each central station strobe burst so that reverse transmissions do not interfere with subsequent signal propagations emanating from the central station. Twin lead is preferably used for the transmission lines. Power shut down, except for a pilot receiver, is accomplished at each acquisition station between recording cycles.

Abstract: This invention is a connector for making electrical connections between separate sections of cable in a line, a section of cable and a tap line, or leads of a cable to be terminally joined. The connector, which minimizes transmission noise and cross talk problems in these connections, comprises a nonconductive base slotted to accommodate the cable, sharp electrical contact pins or prongs in the base, extending up into the slot, and a nonconductive member which slides through an opening in the base, transverse to and through the slot, thereby forcing a previously inserted cable against the contact pins or prongs to make electrical contact.