[Laser] An Update - KG4SGP

[Chuck Hast]

On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 11:27 AM, James Whitfield <n5gui at cox.net> wrote:
> Jim
>
>  Thank you for  the update.  You have certainly accomplished a lot.
>
>  >From your notes on the youtube clip, I would say that you understand the
>  statement by an earlier experimenter that you should ( or was it that you
>  "will" ) spend more than half your effort on building a mount and aiming
>  system.
>
>  I wish you luck on the comming competition.  I am sure many of us would
>  welcome a more detailed description of your equipment and the total project,
>  however it turns out that you place.
>
>  I would like to add one comment about your youtube clip.  Please correct me
>  if I am wrong, but I think that it says all of the audio on the clip was
>  transmitted via the light system.  It certainly is a good way to test the
>  quality of the overall system.  ( I am sure that you hear a "but..."
>  comming.  You are right. )
>
>  The issue that I want to bring to your attention is the "legal" distinction
>  between your light communication system and an Amateur Radio Station.  An
>  amateur radio station is not permitted to transmit music, not even for test
>  purposes.  The really good thing is that although the FCC rules allocate an
>  amateur radio band that does include light, the FCC cannot control other
>  uses of light.  You are pretty much completely un-regulated in what you are
>  experimenting with, and anyone, regardless of amateur license could build
>  and use a similar unit.
>
>  I am certainly not a legal scholar, but I suggest that a reasonable way to
>  look at the distinction is that you may use your light communication system
>  as an amateur radio station so long as your transmissions conform to the
>  amateur rules, such as identification requirements and avoiding prohited
>  practices.  If your system, for any reason, does not conform to the amateur
>  rules, then in legal terms, it cannot be considered an amateur station.
>
>  Since light communication does not require an amateur license, or any other
>  legal authority, it would seem to be a useless to point out the "legal"
>  distinction.  However, you did say that you intended to continue the
>  experiments for DX and NLOS.  If you wish those efforts to be recognised by
>  the amateur radio community, such as a distance record, different modes, or
>  some other noteworthy accomplishement, then I think that it is important
>  that you be able to demonstrate compliance to the rules.
>
>  I have noticed some rather snobbish language used by amateur experimenters
>  about light communications not being "real" or "traditional".  At the time I
>  thought the put down was bad sportsmanship, as well as bad manners, to crow
>  about a "record" that was about what you did with far less effort and
>  expense.  The technical feat was understandably difficult, yet as far as the
>  FCC is concerned, the same "band" was used.  I hope that it doesn't happen,
>  but you should not be surprised if you get a put down.
>
>  Keep experimenting and have fun.  Play all the music you want.  Just keep in
>  the back of your mind that if you need to record transmissions for any
>  amateur radio purpose, those transmissions need to conform to the amateur
>  rules.
>

James, those were very good points, I am not a legal person, and had not
thought of them but given Jim's plans to try aim for some records and also
other documented work, those are very good points to keep in mind.

Jim, I will say the same thing as James, there will be people who will try to
tell you that FSO is not real communications or not amateur communications,
do not listen to them at all, and if you need some re-enforcement just google
Free Space Optical and look at the commercial gear out there, take note of
the transceiver heads and look at the equipment on some of the taller (and
not so tall ) buildings around you. I live in Tampa, FL and there is FSO gear
all over the place, so it is now beyond far out fringe telecomms it is now main
stream. BUT there is still a lot to do, NLOS, long path high speed LOS through
the atmosphere (space is a no brainer it is the air the causes us pain, but
that is what makes it something that we can work on) I have been working on
the high speed stuff, but due to job and travel have had to put it aside, but I
follow things here to see what everyone else is doing. Keep up there great work
and yes get every one you are working with licensed it also makes a great way
to have a 'hoot and holler " channel for getting the FSO gear aligned...

Your science fair project brings back great memories of years ago... Hope you
walk away with the big one.

I did a project that must have been very dear to the military heart, I
got 4 military
prizes years ago, with a free trip to NAS San Diego to boot...

-- 
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."