We had some great conversations at the NLRS breakfast this morning about optical communications.

I did a demonstration of an optical Spectrometer which can be built with a shoebox, webcam, and audio CD.

The thing that makes this work so well is the FREE Software by Theremino.

Theremino is an Italian science organization with many interesting projects and software applications (which is provided free).

The Theremino Spectrometer Software is just one of many. You will need to click on "Translate to English" in chrome to read it (unless you can read italian).

The download is a little hard to find on their website. Go to theremino.com and then look for the Automation link in the right hand menu.

If you click on that menu item, it takes you to a page with lots of projects and software. To get to the spectrometer project, you need to scroll down  

A LONG way.

So save you some time, here is the link to the Theremino Spectrometer software that I demonstrated today.

There is also a manual which is very helpful:

If you do a google search for Theremino Spectrometer, you will get links to several YouTube videos about the software, and a review of the spectrometer I ordered from AliExpress for about $100. There are also many many youtube videos if you search for DIY Spectrometer.

My shoebox version works well, but it is my main "Zoom/Google Meet" camera so I need it back. AND it's color with an IR filter. The $100 spectrometer I ordered is B&W with no IR filter, and it's much more mechanically stable than my shoebox version :-) 

Rob - K0XL