HI All: I helped John, K3PGP with that optical transverter project in the
early 1990s. We were using 2 meter I.F.s at the time and we could get
non-LOS "fog scatter". I lived on top a hill with an interstate highway
below and we would hear strange Burr-aap sounds on the optical receiver from
time to time, which turned out to be the state police lidars. I still have
a photomultiplier and some optical stuff lying around. The PIN detectors
were much easier to use.
Mike wa3tts
----- Original Message -----
From: <vhfcontesting-request@contesting.com>
To: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 3:00 PM
Subject: VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 95, Issue 9
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Time to Change VUCC Rules? (Les Rayburn)
> 2. Re: [VHF] Optical transverters [was: Time to Change VUCC
> Rules?] (Les Rayburn)
> 3. Fwd: [QRP-L] FS: Transverters (John D'Ausilio)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:18:29 -0600
> From: "Les Rayburn" <les@highnoonfilm.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Time to Change VUCC Rules?
> To: "VHF Contesting Reflector" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>,
> <vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu>
> Message-ID: <FC369FEE10F543F892C43BBFD8EF8054@ownerVAIO>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Considering the recent rules changes for ARRL VHF/UHF Contest regarding
> optical communications, isn?t it time to also change the VUCC Award
> credits to better reflect the current thinking (and state of the art for
> free space optical communications?)
>
> Currently, the VUCC Rules define this frequency range as ?Laser 300Ghz and
> above?. While the ARRL VHF/UHF Contest rules define these contacts as:
>
> Above 300 GHz, contacts are permitted for contest credit only between
> licensed amateurs using mono-chromatic signal sources (for example, laser
> and LED) and employing at least one stage of electronic detection on
> receive. Laser usage is restricted to ANSI Z136 Class I, II, IIa, and
> IIIa (i.e.; output power is less than 5 mW).
>
> A handful of amateurs are currently working to develop optical
> ?transverters? that would work with IF rigs like the FT-817 and others on
> full-fledged transceivers that utilize one LED as both emitter and
> detector, which greatly simplifies mechanical design and aiming. It would
> be a shame to see these advances be ruled ineligible for VUCC credit.
>
> How about it, Newington?
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> EM63nf
>
> P.S. How do I order a VUCC lapel pin? I didn?t get one with my
> certificate, but I?d really like one.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:09:34 -0600
> From: "Les Rayburn" <les@highnoonfilm.com>
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] [VHF] Optical transverters [was: Time to
> Change VUCC Rules?]
> To: "Ev Tupis" <w2ev@yahoo.com>, "VHF Contesting Reflector"
> <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>, <vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu>
> Message-ID: <F482FF8408EE4F61A94EF24E7074792E@ownerVAIO>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Ev & The Group,
>
> Most of the discussion related to the transverter design has taken place
> on the ?Laser? list devoted to free space optical communications at
> QTH.net. The design is the work of Stuart Wisher, G8CYW. You can see a
> copy of the schematic at
> this link:
>
> http://www.aladal.net/toast/detector.html
>
>
> Stuart?s design uses a single high power LED for both the transmit and
> receive path, which significantly reduces the difficulty in ?aiming?
> towards the distant station. This is no small point, especially at DX
> distances. It also includes TX/RX relay switching, and is suitable for use
> with a small IF rig like the FT-817ND or FlexRadio 1500.
>
> Many of us believe that a ?transverter? design for optical communications,
> especially using a single LED could greatly increase the popularity of
> optical communications.
>
> This is also a great choice for rovers, and fixed stations wishing to ?add
> a band? during contests without spending a lot of money. Simple optical
> communications can be added for well under $200. I?m kind of surprised
> that the ?pack rovers? in California didn?t make this band one of their
> first choices.
>
> Stuart?s QRZ.com entry tells more?and he?s very active on the ?Laser?
> list.
>
>
> My big passion these days is optical communication and I have designed and
> constructed several rigs for AM and FM using lasers and power LEDs. The
> current state of the art is an optical transverter that enables the FT817
> to be converted from 80m to light, including sideband - I think this is a
> world first. I operate within a small group of like-minded radio amateurs
> (Northern Lights Optical Communications Group) where we are interested in
> microphone to loudspeaker immediate communications, rather than
> computer-based data signals. Our current distance record is 32km (20
> miles) on AM, and 6km on SSB, although this was not difficult since
> signals were end-stopping. Watch this space for future developments!
> UPDATE last week I made SSB QSOs at 34km with G8KPD (20.9.10) signals 58
> both ways, and 32.8km with GPNN (21.9.10) signals again 58 both ways. I
> also received FM from Gordon that end stopped the RX. We will be testing
> over a 46km path when the weather allows.
>
>
>
>
> From: Ev Tupis
> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 4:55 AM
> To: VHF Contesting Reflector ; vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu
> Subject: [VHF] Optical transverters [was: Time to Change VUCC Rules?]
>
> ----- Original Message ----
>
>> A handful of amateurs are currently working to develop optical
>> btransvertersb that would work with IF rigs like the FT-817 and others
>> on
>> full-fledged transceivers that utilize one LED as both emitter and
>> detector,
>> which greatly simplifies mechanical design and aiming.
> ---------------------------
>
> Les,
> A quickie Google search for the term "optical transverter" yielded not
> much of
> use. Care to share more information on the topic?
> Ev, W2EV
> ------
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:45:35 -0500
> From: "John D'Ausilio" <jdausilio@gmail.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Fwd: [QRP-L] FS: Transverters
> To: "(Radio) VHF Contesting" <VHFcontesting@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:
> <AANLkTimV+efh24PsJdjq6i8Vh7AHqpSzaLfqKr1bLtda@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> no connection, just passing along ..
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jeff Hetherington <va3jff@yahoo.ca>
> Date: Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 12:14 PM
> Subject: [QRP-L] FS: Transverters
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, QRP Canada Mailing List
> <members@qrp-canada.com>, qrp-l@mailman.qth.net
>
>
> Hi All.
>
> Just starting to put my shack back together after a basement
> renovation and the time has come to realize that some of the goodies
> could be better utilized by somebody else since I only operate VHF
> portable with my FT817.
>
> I have available;
> Elecraft XV-50 6m transverter, with all manuals and cables, $300 + ship.
>
> MMT 28-144 2m transverter. Manual included. $50 + ship.
>
> Contact me directly if interested.
>
> 73/72
> Jeff
>
>
> ==========================================
> ?L. Jeffrey Hetherington - VA3JFF / VE3CW
> ? ? ? QRP-ARCI(sm) Contest Manager
>
>
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