1) Schedule your contact in advance with a buddy! There are no random contacts on this band, yet. Insure the weather is going to be CLEAR. Fog and precipitation are not in your favor.
2) Agree on a comm link frequency. Be it cell phone, 2m, 70cm or whatever.
3) Things to bring!
a) comm radio
b) laser equipment
i) RX
ii) Lenses
iii) TX modulator
iv) the laser!
c) high output flashlight
or light beam search light (1million candle power type). Available from
Fry's Electronics for <$20.
d) power source (car, or
battery, inverter?)
e) a helper (optional, but
inspirational)
4) Head to the pre-arranged sites. They should be in line of sight! Check with a good map if necessary.
5) Station B finds Station A.
a) station A use the searchlight
and scan in the direction of the other station B.
b) B give info to A via comm
link.
c) peak the beam. This
will give a rough indication to station A whereB is, but B will know EXACTLY
where A is.
d) B should now get his RX
system peaked on A's light beam. (if telescope this is easy!)
6) Station A finds Station B.
a) station B now uses searchlight
and scans in the direction of station A.
b) use the comm link to give
info
c) peak the beam. Now station
A knows where B is!
d) A should now get his RX
system peaked on A's light beam.
7) Station A aligns laser on Station
B
WARNING: We are assuming EYE
SAFE operation. If you are using a laser pointer, you are "safe" at any
reasonable distance (>1KM).
a) A: aim the laser by eye
as best as you can at B.
b) B: Using your EYES, (plus
BINOS or TELESCOPE) help A aim at you. Use the comm link to give info.
Give it as continuously as you can. You will likely see the laser source
even when it is slightly off of you. If you see a bright flash, say so.
If it is visible but weak, say so. Allow station A to tell you on the comm
link if he is moving up/down or left/right. You will soon be able
to help him get the feel of his aiming equipment.
c) A: scan left/right or
up/down, not both. Get info from B on peaking using comm link.
d) Soon alignment will be
had. This often takes 15-30 minutes! Be gentle with your adjustments
and have patience.
8) Station A sends info to Station
B
a) best to do it right away!!!
b) send both callsigns
9) Station B aligns laser on Station
A
(same as 7)
10) Station B sends info and report to station A
11) Station A sends roger and report to station B
12) Station B sends roger to station A
13) QSO complete!