[Laser] Field Day 2004

[laser@mailman.qth.net]

Thanks to all for the comments.   I read the Field Day rules and after more 
research and your comments, the rules "sorta" make sense.  Unless they have 
some exceptions that I haven't found yet, Light is a frequency band - "all above 
300 GHz" - that is allowed for making contact points.  Bonus points are for 
things that do not qualify for contact points (except for the first satellite 
contact, which counts as a contact and has a bonus, and is an exception to the 
no repeater contact rule).  Lasers can be used for contact points if the other 
rules are satisfied.  

Since light is a frequency band, laser is a device for producing the signal, 
like a magnetron, or a vacuum tube.  I am still going to have my 
demonstration, and hopefully get the contact points.  The club may try for bonus points 
another way (ATV, SSTV, and APRS are often used.  )   My system will be line of 
sight.  Hope you "scatter boys" show us how to get more contacts by NLOS.  Good 
luck to all.

One thing I did find interesting.  Check out the Mount Baker Amateur Radio 
Club Field Day pictures of the their laser setup.  It seems to be a Fresnel lens 
on a cardboard box, with an aluminum tube on top for a sight.  The tube, as 
best I can tell has a laser pointer taped to the front end, and it is held in 
place with 9 volt battery clips.  I like it!   (I would attach the web address, 
but I don't think it would pass the spam editor.)


James
N5GUI