[NLRS] Use of Light in VHF Contests

[Donn - WA2VOI/0]

Why draw the line between "waves" and "photons ?"  At any given instant, how can 
you tell the difference between them ?  If I remember my physics correctly, you 
really can't.

How do I propagate plasma across a distance ?  If you mean use the plasma as a 
light source, is it coherent, or at least monochromatic ?

Why should it be a seperate contest ?  If it is, why draw the limit at 300THz ? 
What not, say 300GHz ?  Or 30GHz, or 30 MHz ?  I grant there are already 
"limited" contests: HF, VHF, UHF, etc., but there is enough activity in all 
these areas to provide entrants:  with 300THz and up, you'd get 2,3, maybe 4 
entrants.  Thats not a contest.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mitch Aanden kc0jfy" <kc0jfy at hutchtel.net>
To: "Donn - WA2VOI/0" <wa2voi at mninter.net>; "Ray J" <Ray at w9ray.org>; 
<NLRS at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:54 AM
Subject: Re: [NLRS] Use of Light in VHF Contests


>
>
> In reality light is an electomagnetic entity.
>
> The issue is where do you draw the line between radio waves and photons,
> It's a grey area.
>
> I use plasma everday at work.  Should that be considered too?
>
> My honest opinion is that lasers and any coherent/columated light should be
> in a class of it's own
> and should be a seperate contest.
>
> That's my 2 cents.
>
> Mitch kc0jfy
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Donn - WA2VOI/0" <wa2voi at mninter.net>
> To: "Ray J" <Ray at w9ray.org>; <NLRS at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 23:25
> Subject: Re: [NLRS] Use of Light in VHF Contests
>
>
>>
>>
>> Unfortunately, there's a fair amount of ambiguity even in the definition
>> quoted:
>> -what/which "fixed...  relationship?"
>> -what/which "phase ?"
>> -for how LONG a period of time ?
>>
>> These matter 'cause, for example, lasers have dispersion, or broadening,
>> of
>> their spectrum.  How much dispersion are you willing to tolerate before
>> you no
>> longer call the light "coherent ?"  That's the problem.  Similarly, how
>> about
>> "monchromatic light," i.e., a single "color ?"  No argument that a
>> flashlight
>> (or similar) does not qualify... "white" light is ALL COLORS, and
>> therefore
>> cannot be coherent.
>>
>> This is an important question for a couple of reasons (that I can think
>> of,
>> anyway):
>> -some lasers can be dangerous (yes, even the ones that are $10 pointers)
>> -lasers turn out to NOT be the best way to go for communications.  They
>> produce
>> a beam that is too small (in diameter), such that atmospheric disturbances
>> can
>> prevent the QSO... think QSB.
>> -sources such as LUXEON(tm) LED sources are much cheaper, safer, and
>> better
>> suited to communications than lasers (many, anyway).  (And no, not all
>> LEDs are
>> laser sources.)  Many LEDs produce "monochromatic" light, but with HIGH
>> dispersion.   Is it still "coherent ?"  Luxeons produce light that is
>> coherent
>> with MUCH LESS dispersion. (Think of signals smeared by aurora vs.
>> non-auroral
>> ones.)
>>
>> The poster, Jon, W0ZQ, did give contact info...
>> "http://www.arrl.org/contests/vuac.html".  It turns out he is aVUAC
>> representative, and the list gives his snail mail address.  His e-mail
>> address
>> is in what you quoted.
>>
>> 73 Donn
>> WA2VOI/0
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Ray J" <Ray at w9ray.org>
>> To: <NLRS at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 10:48 PM
>> Subject: Re: [NLRS] Use of Light in VHF Contests
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> isnt the Dictionary meaning  pretty foolproof?
>>>
>>> coherent light-
>>> "light in which the electromagnetic waves maintain a fixed and
>>> predictable phase relationship with each other over a period of time."
>>>
>>> lasers should produce a coherent beam of light... a flashlight will not..
>>>
>>> w9Ray
>>>
>>>
>>> too bad the arrl vuac representative list doesn't  give any contact
>>> info..
>>>
>>>
>>> jcplatt1 at mmm.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello NLRS land.   The ARRL's VHF UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC) has been
>>>> formally directed to review the adequacy of VHF Contest Rule 1.12
>>>> regarding
>>>> Light contacts.
>>>> PUBLIC STATEMENT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>    The ARRL VUAC has been directed to review VHF Contest  Rule 1.12 that
>>>> states "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"  to determine if the rule should be  modified to make it
>>>> clearer as to the meaning of coherence.  The VUAC  is interested in your
>>>> opinion and any suggestions that you may have.   Please forward your
>>>> comments to your Divisions VUAC representative.   Your Division VUAC
>>>> representative is listed at  http://www.arrl.org/contests/vuac.html)
>>>> end >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Please provide me, your Dakota Division VUAC representative, with any
>>>> comments & suggestions that you may have on this subject.   If you are
>>>> outside of the Dakota Division, I would ask that you send your input to
>>>> your own VUAC representative - if you have any problems IDing your
>>>> representative, or cannot contact them for some reason, drop me a note.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jon
>>>> W0ZQ
>>>>
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