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Amateur Lightwave Tricks

Posted by timothy on from the weighs-nothing-says-much dept.

HobbySpacer writes: "According to an ARRL article, some Hams are moving to really high frequencies with experiments using lasers & LEDs. The tests include cloudbouncing, moonbouncing, laser radar and an infrared laser on an amateur satellite. See the Lasercom Manual and this paper for intros. Meanwhile, other amateurs are looking for alien lasers pointed our way."

9 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Highest usable frequency? by Tablizer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder what the highest usable EMS frequency is. An advanced alien civilization would probably be using the highest usable frequency rather than a frequency that is easiest (for us) to generate.

    They might be broadcasting in gamma waves or X-rays for all we know.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
    1. Re:Highest usable frequency? by T3kno · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Since you insist on creating this advanced alien civilization in our image, you must realize that any advanced alien civilization would therefore be able understand our primitive communications methods and be able to respond using the same said methods. The reason there is no response is because no one is listening.

      --
      (B) + (D) + (B) + (D) = (K) + (&)
  2. Amateur Lightwave Tricks by NanoGator · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Amateur Lightwave Tricks"

    Shit, I got excited because I thought this was a thread about using Lightwave 3D.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  3. a comprehensive laser guide by lingqi · · Score: 3, Informative
    Since we are talking about lasers and LEDs etc, so unless everyone reading here knows *that* much about lasers -- i would recommend the following site for everyone:
    Sam's Laser FAQs

    I have spent days pouring over the mass abundance of information there -- and it has convinced me that building a kilowatt CO2 laser to burn though buildings really is something everyone should consider doing for fun.

    --

    My life in the land of the rising sun.

  4. Re:Cats by NanoGator · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Yep, light's great for communicating with cats."

    I laser-guided a cat up my mother's leg once. I don't remember if it was the band-aids or the ruined stockings that cost more, heh. That was a boring weekend I spent in my room, though.

    :)

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  5. Ronja by cr0sh · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What lasercomm discussion would be complete without it?

    From the Ronja homepage:

    Build your own optical data link from common elementary parts - Ronja is an Open-Hardware optical datalink that connects two PC's point-to-point. Ronja's design is licensed under the GNU Public License: you get all the necessary documentation and construction guides free. The construction costs are minimal; it's probably the cheapest wireless system ever. The operation is very
    reliable and immune to interference.

    Take note, people - when the USA Patriot Act enforcers of protocol come, laser may be the only way to comm...

    --
    Reason is the Path to God - Anon
  6. oops by bilbobuggins · · Score: 4, Funny
    Hams are moving to really high frequencies

    I was like 'what? lunch meat I can't hear?'
    God, it's been a long day...

  7. Fun with long-distance lasers by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.llnl.gov/urp/science/lgs_www/lgs.html

    They're using a laser to create what looks like a star, above most of the atmosphere. Naked-eye visibility! I wonder how much modulation you could put on it for long-distance communication.

  8. Re:Laser Rangefinding by captain_craptacular · · Score: 4, Funny

    If they'd only remembered to reset the odometer on the Appolos before they left they'd know for sure!

    --
    They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security