[Laser] 5 mW lasers & LEDs

[steve kavanagh]

Steve
 
The way I read the ARRL contest rules, the 5 mW limit only applies to lasers:
 
" Laser usage is restricted to ANSI Z136 Class I, II, IIa, and IIIa (i.e.; output 
power is less than 5 mW)."
 
So if you go with LEDs, you are ok up to 1.5 kW, I think !  As you may be aware, most of the long distance stuff nowadays is being done with power LEDs with focusing lenses  - KA7OEI's website is an excellent example:
 
http://modulatedlight.org/optical_comms/optical_index.html
 
I recall reading some of your articles way back.....glad to see you are back at it again !
 
73,
Steve VE3SMA