[Laser] Lasers vs LEDs & ARRL contests

[Art]

Hi Jon,

No one here has a problem using lasers, whether they be solid state, 
semiconductor or otherwise.

The problem with lasers in contests is that narrowband beamwidth 
takes significant time and resources to set up, aim lasers and then 
QSO. The fact that darkness is (generally) needed for laser Q's makes 
the laser Q much harder and difficult. Where's the appropriate 
multiplier for QSO's in laser band??? The appropriate laser 
multiplier would be one that takes into consideration the distance of 
the QSO, shooting a laser across the street or from one station to 
another in a multi-op contest effort is hardly what any of us had in 
mind, but it is indeed exactly how the laser is used in vhf and contests.

The last time I looked in any contest rules by the ARRL, the 
multiplier for a laser QSO was no higher than the multiplier for 10 
GHz-this is a joke. Ever wonder why no one (almost no one) makes 
laser Q's in contests? Think about it please.

Ever wonder why rovers don't do laser??? Think about it please.

You might also want to look into the wording, as the wording stands 
now, there is no prohibition against using a fiber optic cable 
between two stations making contact. We all assume the use of laser 
in contests is via the atmosphere, but it's not written that way in the rules.

I'm also reminded of the time I sent in a Field Day score for one QSO 
made on the laser band. Somehow it got lost and my effort was never 
reported with the summary of the FD activity. So much for a ARRL 
promoting cutting edge laser communications. I only know of one other 
instance of laser being used in Field Day and that was a QSO made by 
one of your own ARRL HQ crew-and I am not even sure it was a 2 way QSO.

To laser or not to laser is not the question::> The best laser in the 
world becomes incoherent in 3 feet of atmosphere, except in a near 
perfect vacuum. Coherent or non coherent is irrelevant.

I hope this helps although it does little to answer the original question.

Regards,

Art


>Hello to all Laser/light enthusiast.
>
>As some of you may  know, I am the ARRL's Dakota Division VHF/UHF Contest
>Committee (VUAC)  representative.  I am seeking your comments.  One 
>of the items
>that  has been under discussion by your VUAC is the ARRL General VHF Contest
>rule 1.12  that states "1.12. Above 300 GHz, contacts are permitted 
>for contest
>credit only  between licensed amateurs using coherent radiation on
>transmission (for example,  laser) and employing at least one stage 
>of electronic
>detection on  receive."  This rule requires that the contact be made 
>by licensed
>amateurs  and that the detection requires at least one stage of 
>electronics, that
>much  seems fairly clear despite whether you agree or disagree with that part
>of the  rule.   What is less clear is the requirement that the source use
>"coherent radiation" and "(for example, laser)".  How coherent is coherent  ?
>
>What I would like your comments on is this.
>
>1.   Given  this rule as it is now, does it include or exclude the use of
>narrow band  LEDs like the Luxor.  I am no optics expert but it 
>seems to me that
>some of  these newer power LEDs are very close in coherence to really poor
>lasers.   Does the current rule have enough latitude to include 
>narrow  band LED
>emitters ?
>
>2.  IF we could rewrite the rule, what should  the rule say ?  Do we want to
>be much more specific and tighten the rule so  it states "Laser only", or do
>we want to open the rule up to specifically allow  the use of newer
>technologies like power LEDs ?    In either case  what should the rule say ?
>
>It seems that on the one hand we don't want to allow a blinking white light
>bulb, but if not that where is the line ?
>
>Again, your  comments and perspective are most welcomed.
>
>73, Jon
>W0ZQ
>Dakota  VUAC Rep
>
>
>
>
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