I probably can't make it to SPOC, but I can tell you now that yes, lasers will easily be seen from each location. Hand-holding the laser will mean that only momentary flashes will be seen. If you want to have precision-aiming capability and keep the beam on-target, you must mount the laser on a telescope. In fact I'd hesitate to do it at all if hand-holding at that low of an angle. It's cheesy and bumps the "experiment" firmly into the realm of "fooling around". A remote switch helps also, since it keeps hand pressure off the laser while in-use. Just the pressure of pushing the switch is sufficient to throw-off the aim. Collimate the laser dot with a high-powered cross-hair eyepiece in the main instrument (not the finder) at say, 1/4 mile. Then it is an easy task to simply place your crosshairs on your target. This also helps assure that you won't accidentally sweep the beam over cars, boats, or low-flying aircraft. From SPOC, missing the island over the top will illuminate the airspace of the Test Range west of Hill Field, over the lake, so use discretion. A fancy bracket isn't needed to mount the laser on the telescope. Rubber bands and cardboard shims are sufficient to collimate the dot with the crosshairs. Once aligned, tape it imobile with masking tape. The laser isn't activated until you have your target centered in the cross-hairs. This keeps the beam from wandering around low to the ground, as discussed above. You can tweak the aim slightly with your slow-motions if needed. Exchange cell phone numbers so you'll be in contact with each other during the test. Your target can then tell you when they see a steady beam. Have fun, but be careful. On 8/3/07, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
I've exchanged emails with the Ogden club. They will be on Antelope Island tomorrow night while SLAS is at SPOC.
Years ago I remember being able to see (using scopes) signs near SPOC from Antelope Island.
So tomorrow night we're going to see if it's possible to see laser beams shined from AI to SPOC and vice-versa.
Anyone here interested in taking part?
pw
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