[Laser] Some comments on the revised rule 1.12

[Tim Toast]

hi all

Actually i don't even own a power meter, so i wouldn't be able to 
measure it myself if i had to :) It would be a good project to build 
one. This new rule is for the best i'm sure. I agree, for a lot of 
hams and others to get started with light comms, the less equipment 
and know-how required the better. 5mw is plenty of light for most 
line of sight comm's i would imagine. Maybe with a slight advantage 
on the longest paths for LED's? ..not because of the laser power 
limits but for readability reasons (less scintillation) - Leds in the 
1 to 5 watt range vs. lasers in the 1 to 5 milliwatt range. I agree 
that less restrictive power limits will come with time eventually and 
this does not limit experimentation done safely and in accordance with
any local laws that apply.

I also agree the best thing about all this is that LEDs are now 
"official" and recognized as being monochromatic "enough". I've always
liked the idea of optical "bands" about 50nm wide. There are 7 of them
across the visible spectrum from violet(400nm) to deep red(750nm). 
It's easy to estimate by eye which "band" a source is in. An 
inexpensive spectroscope can show you close enough - even if you are
colorblind. Although most people would be using the red and IR bands.

Hopefully it is not a stretch to use properly filtered broadband 
sources like filament lamps or other "exotic" light sources in 
contests also. Now that i've had some time to think about it, i 
didn't mean to sound glum, this is encouraging really!

cheers!
toast