[Laser] San Diego laser communicator activity last weekend

[Kerry Banke]

Chuck (WB6IGP) and I made a 4 mile (DM12LT to DM12 MS) laser communicator 
contact last evening just  for fun  as part of the annual ARRL 10 GHz and 
up contest.  Chuck set up his unit in my back yard and I drove to Cowles 
Mt. about 4 miles away and hiked maybe 20 minutes until we could see each 
other.  We used flash lights to initially locate each other and then zeroed 
in the lasers using audio feedback over  2 meter handi-talkies. Probably 
the biggest issue we  found is that the rifle scope cross hairs are not 
lighted and cannot be seen against a black background at night.  We're 
running FM on our laser communicators so once everything is aligned it 
sounds just like coming over the liason radio except full duplex.  Initial 
alignment is always  a real issue before starting operation especially if 
things have been banged around during contest travel.The contact this  year 
was done in a bit too much of a  hurry but  next year we'll do alignment of 
the receiver, laser and scope optics after we set up on both 
ends  before  making contact.  If there are any suggestions for lighting 
the scope cross hairs, we'd be interested in hearing them. We're using 
laser pointers with about X7 beam expanders and 4" receive optics.
73  - Kerry N6IZW -