[Laser] An Update - KG4SGP

Fri Apr 25 15:43:29 EDT 2008

Very true, I actually didn't even think of what could
be considered an amateur contact when we completed the
contact. I fully comply with amateur regulations when
I am on amateur bands, but didn't really think about
that on light because it is also unlicensed but
allocated.

The actual recording which I played consisted of
identification and then tones to test the audio
quality (which I didn't include in the video), and
then the subjective music portion.

I will distinguish the two from now on if I do play
music with the system will state that I am using the
equipment as an unlicensed and non amateur purpose.

Thanks for brining it up! I'm always looking to be
correct when using a station as and amateur operator.

Brain and I (who would be attempting the DX and NLOS
QSOs) weren’t planning on playing music so I guess
that would have been "traditional". Thanks though

Thanks! -Jimmy Carter KG4SGP

--- 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
>  n5gui
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "jim car" <kg4sgp at yahoo.com>
> To: <laser at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 10:00 PM
> Subject: [Laser] An Update - KG4SGP
> 
> 
> Hi all!
>      A couple of months ago I asked about getting
> started with laser communications. A few of you guys
> asked for updates then also. Brian and I were
> considering attempting NLOS communications, but
> obtaining that first with LOS QSOs.
>     I built very simple equipment consisting of
> K3PGP
> type electronics (front end and modulation) but did
> modify the circuits some, for a science fair hosted
> at
> my school. We went to regional won Grand Prize and
> are
> now on our way to the International Science and
> Engineering Fair. I don't want to describe the
> project
> because I'm not sure what rules there are against it
> so its just easer not to.
>     In any case our tests spanned a short distance
> of
> a half kilometer but it was perfect for the tests.
> Janet was working with me on the project while Brian
> decided to work on a different project. The aiming
> devices that Janet and I made were not suited for
> such
> a distance so took a while to get aligned.
>      I've uploaded a video to youtube that
> highlights
> some of the project. The URL is
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ7m5GgcghA .
>     Brian and I are planning to make equipment for
> DX
> laser communications instead using KA7OEI type
> receivers and slightly higher power laser diodes,
> don't worry we will be careful.
> Thanks all for your suggestions and help!
> -Jimmy Carter - KG4SGP
> 
> PS: Janet is getting her license in part because of
> this project. Talk about recruitment HI HI!
> 
> 
> 
> 
>
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