[Laser] An Update - KG4SGP

[James Whitfield]

Tom

First, I agree whole heartedly that "the FCC likely doesn't know... and
doesn't care".  And I also agree that an accomplishment is valid whether or
not the participants are HAMS.  Or which organization may or may not choose
to recognize it as having complied with its rules ( small "r" ).

In many ways, your statement makes the point that I wanted to get across, my
clumsy use of words getting in the way of trying to communicate.

You made one point about which I wish to comment further:

     > The start and end of that paragraph would seem to contradict.  You
start
     > speaking legally and end with contesting rules, not law.

The paragraph does, as you say, begin speaking legally.  It ends with my
opinion.  More importantly, in the middle there is a significant qualifier.
The qualification was, "If you wish those efforts to be recognised by the
amateur radio community..."  I did assume that the desire was to have the
efforts recognised by HAMs, but I did leave the door open that the opinion
that was to follow would be moot if my assumption was in error.

The opinion I expressed, if I may correct my originally poor choice of
words, was intended to state my belief that the amateur radio community
would not receive well experiments that contained transmissions which are
illegal for an amateur radio station, such as playing music.  In other word,
I meant "Rules" in the legal sense, not "rules" in the contesting sense.  I
did not have in mind at the time, the need to comply with contesting rules,
or at the very least, rules for the records that may be required by an
organization from which you may seek recognition.  However, I would like to
adopt that into my opinion as well.  The premise is to be accepted by the
amateur radio community, so if you can comply with contesting rules, you
have a better chance of acceptance.

I didn't refer to ARRL.  But since you did, they have a lot of contest
rules, that are in my opinion, badly in need of revision.  I questioned them
on what technical standards are to be used for their "coherence" rule.  I
was not satisfied that they even cared.  There were some recent distance
records, and I do wish to point out that distance records do not have to
conform to contest rules, for the "all above 275 GHz" band which suggest to
me the band should get more activity in contests.  When that happens, there
are some "traditional" enthusiasts that will find it hard to show compliance
with the "coherence" rule because they are not using lasers and there are no
technical standards by which to show compliance with the rule.



All in all, I enjoy experimenting with light communication.  I wish to
encourage others to do so.  I am still of the opinion that it is legal to
transmit music via a light beam.  I am confident that the rules that apply
to the amateur radio service prohibit the transmission of music, although
there may be some specific exceptions.  I conclude, therefore, that a light
beam transmission that contains music should not be considered to be
transmissions from an amateur radio station.  It follows then that if a
light beam transmission is to be used for amateur radio purposes, then it
should not contain music.

James
 n5gui




From: "Tom Becker" <GTBecker at RighTime.com>


> > ... Since light communication does not require [] any [] legal
> authority... it is important that you be able to demonstrate compliance
> to the rules.
>
> The start and end of that paragraph would seem to contradict.  You start
> speaking legally and end with contesting rules, not law.
>
> FWIW, my experience as an American broadcaster and ham is that the
> Commission will only reluctantly act - on an
> interference-to-a-licensed-service complaint.  As a practical matter, if
> you do not interfere, the FCC likely doesn't know about, and doesn't
> care about your emissions, RF or light.
>
> If a world communication distance record isn't recognized by the ARRL
> because the rules (small r) require that you be a ham, that's up to them
> and you won't get a plaque from them, but the effort is still legitimate
> and the accomplishment the same - whether you are a ham, or not.
>
>
> Tom Becker