[Laser] High speed links

[Chuck Hast]

Folks,
I know that most of the activity here is more directed to long distance, NLOS
testing, but I am more interested in doing high speed links, I would like to try
to link some packet radio nodes, using optics, obviously this is a test, but if
I can make it work, it is just one more way to moving data between nodes.

I figure that I will try to build two transcievers initially, I have access to a
building roof that is about 360 feet high, and my home is about 4+ miles
line of sight to the building which can see no problem. My initial test link
well be between those two sites, and the I will start moving the test end at
my home to locations more distant and see just how far I can go reliably.

Obviously there are trade off's at times I am sure that I will be able to get
longer links at the expense of speed, but my first step is to build up the two
transcieivers and start testing. I can find all manner of data on optics, that
is not a issue, but I am looking at the best way to modulate the laser and
be able to run the data rate as high as it will allow. I am looking at OOK
initially, perhaps later some form of amplitude modulation. I will use cheap
laser pointer devices initially, that will make it easier to see and aim, and
later on move to IR devices, once I can make visible ones work.

-- 
Chuck Hast  -- KP4DJT --
To paraphrase my flight instructor;
"the only dumb question is the one you DID NOT ask resulting in my going
out and having to identify your bits and pieces in the midst of torn
and twisted metal."