I have been experimenting lately and by coincidence I made a homemade lightwave converter out of my Yaesu FT-817. I'm not a maths expert but I learned some things at school long time ago. One thing I learned was how to calculate lightwave indexes. Reading some of my old calculations, I found somewhere at the attic in a box, I had a fabulous idea. Why not build a simple lightwave converter to transmit on the lightwave bands.
So I thought this can be simple with components I already have. To start I use the FT-817 as modulator/receiver. A simple RF to light conversion module was made out of some optocouplers and small mirrors. To have control over the whole thing I use a Light Wave Ratio meter which is nothing more then some tiny parallel mirrors. One of the mirrors inside is mechanically controlled. I use a l.t.v.c. to get a reading on the meter.
Before I test this I made a calculation of the lightwave form with a computer program. The picture on the left is how things are looking. I know it sounds very complicated for most of you, but it isn't. It's simple as what. Finally I could test the whole thing and check out propagation. Unfortenately at the moment I'm the only station on the world which is transmitting lightwave signals as far as I know. So, my call was lonely and probabely heard by no one or by some very distant aliens.
I realize not everyone has the ability to build this, but if you do please let me know if you're interested in a sked. I will only be on only today. Hopefully I'll be able to make some contacts...
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