[Laser] Re: Laser digest, Vol 1 #227 - 7 msgs

[laser@mailman.qth.net]

One of the things that we have to remember is that there's that nasty section
in the FCC Part 97 rules that states that licensed amateur radio stations can 
only contact other licensed amateur radio stations.  That gets kind of murky 
when you get to optical frequencies.  If you're a licensed amateur radio station,
and contact another licensed amateur radio station using frequencies in the
light region, then that's a valid contact.  However, if you contact someone who
doesn't have an amateur radio license using frequencies in the light region,
then the contact is still legal, but you're not a licensed amateur radio station
while you're doing it (because to do so would be illegal).  Yeah, I know I'm
splitting hairs here.

Dave
WA4QAL

-----Original Message-----

From: TWOSIG@aol.com
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 20:26:05 EST
Subject: Re: [Laser] Laser comm and ARRL?
To: laser@mailman.qth.net
Reply-To: laser@mailman.qth.net

I agree with Art, KY1K, that the ARRL rule that prohibits the use of LEDs for 
a light frequency contact seems unfair.  The frequency (color) of the light 
generated by a red LED seems to be equal to that produced by a simiconductor 
laser.  As I understand the manufacture of laser diodes, it is a row of LEDs 
spaced so that at the trigger current the light from one LED causes the neighbors 
to fire.  (If I am wrong, somebody please explain it better.)  A single LED, 
or a bank of them, may have phase noise, but I haven't seen much amateur 
equipment that could measure it.  Does anyone have equipment that will work better 
with coherent light?

The idea of communicating with light seems to be suffering more from the fact 
that it is not practical to regulate who is doing it.  An amateur license is 
a grant from the government for the privilege of operating a transmission 
device.  (Some would like to make it a crime to receive radio signals without 
permission, but that is another political debate.)  Light is something that comes 
and goes without much regard for legislation.  The sun comes up, I can use as 
I see fit, and am technically capable of, whatever sunbeams that happen to 
come my way.  The sun goes down, I can look at the moon and stars, again within 
my technical limits.

What then can the ARRL set into its rules that will separate licensed 
amateurs from tinkerers?  They are in the business of promoting amateur radio, not 
light communication.

I have always thought that part of the reasoning for some of the light 
related rules, was that the "technology" of electronic communication could not 
compete with the capability of sunlight, an eight inch mirror and human eye to 
provide a communication link of 183 miles in the 1890s.  When a laser experimenter 
breaks that Heliograph record with a voice contact, I will celebrate the 
technological achievement.

I think that getting the ARRL to change those rules would be a lot easier if 
you could show them that if they encourage light experimentation, then the 
membership of  ARRL would grow by ten percent.  

I think that it is easier to follow their rules.....Or just ignore them and 
do your own thing.

Good luck.

James
N5GUI