[Laser] Video Camera/Nightscope, etc. sensitive to IR light?

[J. Forster]

That's surprising. Might the units you've played with have IR blocking
filters so fires and bright IR sources don't overload it?

-John

===============


> My experience with night vision gear has shown little sensitivity to
> IR. It  maybe just the ones I have had access to though. - Kerry N6IZW -
>
> --- On Sat, 1/1/11, Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com>
> Subject: Re: [Laser] Video Camera/Nightscope, etc. sensitive to IR light?
> To: "John Randall" <m0els at yahoo.co.uk>, "Free Space LASER Communications"
> <laser at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Saturday, January 1, 2011, 2:12 AM
>
>
> Thanks to John and others who responded. I should have been more specific
> with my question. What I’m interested in is a high performance system
> that can be used to verify line-of-sight paths out to about 70 miles. My
> idea is to use a high powered IR LED in the 3-5 watt range, using simple
> on-off switching to send Morse Code signals. My “receiver” would be a
> night vision camera, goggles, or similar device. What I’m unsure of are
> the answers to the following questions:
>
> 1.) What kind of sensitivity would be required to detect the IR
> “beacon” at that kind of range? Generation 1, 2, 3? In other words,
> what is the effective range of this simple system as determined by the
> sensitivity of the photomultipler?
>
> 2.) Attempting VUCC using lasers or high powered LED’s requires a
> minimum of five grids. Four grids is easy for even a basic system, since
> the range can be a mile or less by positioning one station on a grid
> intersection. The 5th grid is tougher...distance is about 70 miles
> minimum. We’re trying to determine a potential “good” site in the
> Southeastern United States without having to deploy the “full system”
> and are hoping to use this simple system just to verify the path.
>
> Maybe there’s a better way?
>
> 3.) I already own a Sony Nightvision HD camcorder that has Generation 1
> capability. Would this be suitable?
>
> Any suggestions or advice are most appreciated.
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>
>
>
> Les Rayburn, Director
> High Noon Film
> 130 1st Avenue West
> Alabaster, AL 35007-8536
> (205) 621-7500
> (205) 621-7505 FAX
> (205) 253-4867 CELL
> http://www.highnoonfilm.com
>
> From: John Randall
> Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 3:34 AM
> To: Les Rayburn ; Free Space LASER Communications
> Subject: Re: [Laser] Video Camera/Nightscope, etc. sensitive to IR light?
>
> All cameras can see IR. Just shine your tv remote into the camera lens and
> you will see white led's. The trick is to get rid of a small glass filter
> which is normally placed infront of the cd imager sensor. Once its
> removed, your images and video however will become a bit washed out in
> colour.
>
> This will get you closer to IR.
>
> John
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> From: Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com>
> To: Free Space LASER Communications <laser at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sat, 1 January, 2011 3:47:35
> Subject: [Laser] Video Camera/Nightscope, etc. sensitive to IR light?
>
> We’re planning to run some tests using an OSRAM IR Dragon high powered
> infrared LED, and would like to use a video camera to help us sight in on
> the transmitter. Initially, we’ll probably modulate the IR with simple
> on-off Morse Code keying, and will use the video camera to verify LOS to
> and from various locations. Our goal is to determine the most likely sites
> for a successful VUCC attempt into five grids.
>
> I have a couple of Sony HD camcorders that feature their “Night Shot”
> technology and are sensitive to IR light, but I’m wondering if a
> Nightscope or other such device would be more useful for this application?
> I’ve even heard of IR rifle sights---anyone have any experience with
> this?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> EM63nf
>
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