[Laser] An Update - KG4SGP

[Zack Widup]

I'm a VHF+ amateur radio experimenter.  I have built equipment for the 
amateur radio bands through 24 GHz and I'm working on 47 and 78 GHz also. 
I have been putting something together for laser comm. Those of us who 
participate in amateur radio awards programs are more than happy to 
consider optical laser communications "real" enough. My problem is that I 
haven't had anyone in my area to try it out with!

As you mentioned, there is no reason for an amateur radio license in order 
to do laser comm, but there are certain standards within the amateur radio 
community that have to be met for awards, distance records, etc. within 
that community.

As I plan to do with the millimeter wave gear, I'll have to build two of 
the laser units and loan one out to someone local for testing.
:-)

73, Zack W9SZ

On Fri, 25 Apr 2008, James Whitfield 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
> n5gui
>