June's RSGB RadCom carries my article, "
Over the Horizon at 481THz" describing my non line-of-sight optical experiments last year. My poor health (stroke) has prevented me doing more with this in 2014. The article was written last year (2013) before my stroke. Hopefully, a return to good health (by the autumn?) will allow me to continue this fascinating part of our hobby. At the moment I am just too clumsy.
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| Testing the optical RX |
8.5km "over the horizon" NLOS by clear air scattering (in a cloudless night sky) was very straightforward with simple, low-cost optical gear that could be made for next to nothing. Unlike microwaves, optical kit is
very inexpensive and requires only
very basic (audio frequency) test gear to set up. Optical alignment is critical and more stable tripods would have helped.
What amazed me was that
nothing was visible or audible at the RX yet the signal decoded and displayed perfectly with Spectran software on the PC.
If you get this magazine, I hope you enjoy the article. Please let me have any feedback.
Enjoyed the article Roger. I am still amazed that a lot of Hams don't use Spectran or Spectrum Lab, if they gave it a try they would be converted AND they are both FREE.
ReplyDeleteAlan G8LCO
Thanks Alan. Totally agree about the free software. Amazing stuff.
ReplyDeleteJust read the article this evening - very good stuff, and enjoy reading your blog too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jon. Glad you enjoy the blog too.
ReplyDeleteGood article glad to see the writing hand still works. Lets hope it bounces a bit of interest into the THz DXing..
ReplyDelete73 G1KQH
Thanks Steve.
ReplyDeleteThe optical article was written last year before my illness, but writing largely OK still thanks. I make lots of errors which need to be corrected, as you may have noticed on the blog.