[Laser] Looking for ideas on building simple optics for an optical beacon

[TWOSIG at aol.com]

Kerry
 
My first thought is that you put the emitter under a horizontal mirror  
(reflective side down).  That would cut the vertical beam width in  half.  Since 
you are not trying to use a single emitter to get 360 degrees,  put it under a 
corner.
 
Probably more effective would be to canabalize the reflector of one of the  
new high powered LED flashlights ( since it uses a the same type of emitter) 
and  then put in front of it a cylindrical lens.   You would get a narrow  beam 
about four inches in diameter which you then can expand with the  cylindrical 
lens in the horizontal dimension.   
 
Best wishes.  
 
James
N5GUI