[Laser] Laser Activity in June VHF Contest

[Walter E. Miller, AJ6T]

K6PUD, AD6A, NR6CA, N6TEB, N9JIM de AJ6T

Mike, Dave and Randy:

A few months ago we exchanged email about potential laser operation here in
the Bay Area during the upcoming June VHF contest.  Are you still interested
in giving it a try?  The contest is looming, and I have done some work on
upgrading my laser transceiver.  By June 8, I hope to have a much cleaner
version of my basic 5 mW MCW setup using a bright 635 nm diode this time.  I
won't have time to tear into N9JIM's MO drives and extract and mount the 30
mW IR diodes.  The OPT210 photodiode/preamp is now housed in a better
shielded can (camera lens cap) that snaps onto the rear of my Celestron C90
telescope.  A new 555 IC circuit keys the laser on-off at 700 Hz, and I have
an improved Edmund Scientific tip-tilt mount to align the laser transmitter
to the optical receiver.  I am planning (hoping) to have all this ready by
the contest, but unfortunately I will be away on a business trip until the
day before the contest so I won't have time for any tests before that
Saturday night.

I expect to setup at the Hwy 35 lookout above Palo Alto.  It is not a
terrific location, but the view across to the East Bay is good, and
visibility down the peninsula extends to about Moffett Field.  There is a
good line of sight to the top of Mount Diablo about 50 miles away.  Anybody
game to rove around to a location within line of sight for a sked on
Saturday night, June 8?

Dave, N6TEB/R, I took note of your announcement of a roving trip with laser
gear up to CM97.  Are you interested in taking a stab at Mount Diablo, or
coming to the Santa Clara Valley for a laser QSO?

Jim, N9JIM, what are your plans for the VHF contest?

Sorry for the late announcement.  I am not sure if I will be able to check
my email after Thursday evening, May 23.

73,
Walt, AJ6T
CM87