WB9AJZ - N5XSA Laser Status

WB9AJZ system:
 TX: 670nM, 5mW laser diode (pointer pen)
 MODULATION: 800 Hz squarewave full on/off keying.  Bursts controlled by a keyer to
             effect morse code at 800 Hz.
 RX: simple phototransistor, with 2 stages of AC audio amplification.  Audio out to
     headphones or DSP-59+ filter system. 8" parabolic mirror available as needed.
 Aiming: Visually, with camera tripod and "fine" tuning jig.  Jig allows better than
         < .5 mR positioning in Az and El.
 DX: easily at 1 mile, QSO'd off a gaussean ring.  Trouble with pointing!
     With NO RX lenses or mirrors.

N5XSA system:
 TX 670nM, 5mW laser diode
 MODULATION: 40 or 44 KHZ (I don't remember) carrier, modulated with voice.
 RX: photo diode and opamp system to audio amp/speaker.
 Aiming: Visually, with camera tripod.
 DX:  very rough at 1 mile.  Pointing issues.  But... very distorted audio due to
      wind/temp/???  Lucky to complete.  Kinda like meteor bursts of clarity.

Others in the area interested include AJ6T (Walt) and one other I can't remember.

I met K6LMN (Roger) over the weekend at a WSWSS meeting.  He proposed that we set a
minimum standard so that if we should meet up, we can make Q's!  His suggestion was
simple audio such as my system.  He has made Q's in the past but has been inactive.
He will get going again based on what he has heard from me.  Roger is in the LA area.

WA6EJO, I have heard of him, but he lives down in the LA area in Ventura.  Roger and he
used to do somethings together.  Think he has lost interest.

Future: plan to extend range. continue with 800Hz CW approach for now.  Do some research
        into distortion effects thru the air. (books and experiments)  Consider that aiming
        seems to be a MAJOR issue at short distance (will improve farther out, based on 
        gaussean spreading)... look at high data rates to minimize time on target.  Like
        sweep across target with high data rates to get a hit.  Either mechanical or
        electronic sweeping.  IRDA standards for 100KB or 1-4MB ? 

Who knows..
Jim
WB9AJZ/6