First, my apologies to Chuck for mentioning him. If it helps any my first thought was to mention another member here and his 50 mW laser. On 01 May 2007, at 12:24, Chuck Hards wrote:
Tests that only a handful of others have ever taken seriously and expressed an interest in participating or helping. There's a mistake I won't make again. I hope you'll reconsider, Chuck. While the laser tests may not have gone as hoped, I'm sure I'm not the only one here that now owns a green laser thanks to your Utah-Astronomy posts and personal recommendations. Keep up the reporting. It is much appreciated.
There's a real chance that a joke will bring a visit from Homeland Security. That's a statement the hit home for me. Last Sunday I flew to Wendover to visit the editor of the local paper. As I've always done I tied down the airplane and proceeded to walk across the flight line (for those not familiar with Wendover Field, it is HUGE, having been used during WWII as an Army Airfield for B-29s). My walk in one direction went without incident but walking back to my plane I suddenly found myself being stopped and being told I had violated a restricted area.
After showing ID, my ramp pass, much talking (and pointing out I've been doing those walks for years, that there are no signs or markers, nothing in the Airport Facilities Directory or on the aeronautical charts) I was allowed to get in my aircraft an leave. But now I guess my name's in a Homeland Security file somewhere that could one day come back and bite me... Again, my apologies, Chuck. I meant no offense. Now (at the risk of trying to end this on a lighter note) I don't want anybody mentioning me if a bowling ball comes crashing to Earth in someone's backyard... pw