An experimental setup and a technique for measuring the transient period be
fore a stationary cavitation in a liquid by the evolution of the cavitation
noise spectrum are described. The time dependences of harmonic amplitudes
both near the radiator and outside the cavitation region are presented. Fro
m the form these dependences, the characteristic transient periods precedin
g the stage of a fully developed cavitation in water and in transformer oil
are calculated. A formal scheme for describing the cavitation region is pr
oposed. (C) 2001 MAX "Nauka/Interperiodica".