[Laser] Lasers vs LEDs & ARRL contests

[Glenn Thomas]

AMEN! - de wb6w

At 07:29 AM 7/19/2008, Kerry Banke wrote:

>
>   Here is my input on the subject of  using optical communications 
> during ARRL contests.
>
>    I don't think that light spectrum width  or coherency should be 
> specified at all. With the gear I have put together over time, I 
> can send text transmissions using the Jason software many, many 
> miles LOS  via High Preasure Sodium lamp, Mercury Vapor lamp, 
> Incanescent lamp, and  even the filament glow of an 813 transmitter 
> tube . This is done by FM modulating the AC power frequency used to 
> excite those light sources in the 65 Hz range.  The more powerful 
> of these sources work well for  NLOS transmissions over several 
> miles using forward scatter.    Technical challenge  is something I 
> have always seen as being a big part of Amateur Radio and I believe 
> it should not be stifled.   I do believe some form of minimum 
> modulation requirement may well serve to eliminate the concern for 
> the blinking flashlight contact.  I see no need to limit the 
> optical light source at all as I my gear  can  do the same text 
> transmissions via laser or LED as well as those other sources mentioned.
>
>   73 - Kerry Banke -  N6IZW with the San Diego Microwave Group