Z
z_civex
Guest
I'm considering using a laser as a guide to find my camp in the dark. My thought is to mount a laser on a painter pole that's 18 feet high and point the laser into the air so that I can see it from a distance.
The location will be Burning Man, so there are no trees to obscure the view. I have exchanged emails with the people at the Black Rock City Airport, and I've been assured night-time flight is not allowed (although some people do it anyway) and that shining a laser into the air is not a problem for air traffic; they say they will provide whatever assistance I require for getting permission from the FAA, but that they don't think I need it. shrug - I'll apply anyway.
I could point the laser parallel the ground into the area known as the playa, but at 18 feet, I consider it a risk to human eyesight because some people will be at that height and there is no natural blockage for miles. I could angle it up so that it is at some angle above the surface instead of straight up or parallel - just so I can see it from hundreds of yards.
My goal is to have a lightsource that I can see at night and that I can power from batteries all night. I have 12V batteries that I can use, or I can use sets of AAs or AAAs, depending on what the laser requires. I will use the laser for three nights for about 12 hours each night.
My understanding is that 'consumer' power lasers won't require a permit from the FDA, but I'd be happy to apply and get whatever answer they give, including the application to the FAA.
I'm looking for information on what power I would need and what lasers have that power. The playa is bounded by a 1.5 mile diameter fence, so I would need to have the laser visible say a mile away, given a specific location off center to the farthest limit of the bound.
If there is a better idea for a light that will run for 36 hours off a battery and be visible at 18 feet above ground for about a mile, I'd be happy to hear that, too. It just seems a laser in the air gets me greater visibility from a distance on less power than a spotlight.
The location will be Burning Man, so there are no trees to obscure the view. I have exchanged emails with the people at the Black Rock City Airport, and I've been assured night-time flight is not allowed (although some people do it anyway) and that shining a laser into the air is not a problem for air traffic; they say they will provide whatever assistance I require for getting permission from the FAA, but that they don't think I need it. shrug - I'll apply anyway.
I could point the laser parallel the ground into the area known as the playa, but at 18 feet, I consider it a risk to human eyesight because some people will be at that height and there is no natural blockage for miles. I could angle it up so that it is at some angle above the surface instead of straight up or parallel - just so I can see it from hundreds of yards.
My goal is to have a lightsource that I can see at night and that I can power from batteries all night. I have 12V batteries that I can use, or I can use sets of AAs or AAAs, depending on what the laser requires. I will use the laser for three nights for about 12 hours each night.
My understanding is that 'consumer' power lasers won't require a permit from the FDA, but I'd be happy to apply and get whatever answer they give, including the application to the FAA.
I'm looking for information on what power I would need and what lasers have that power. The playa is bounded by a 1.5 mile diameter fence, so I would need to have the laser visible say a mile away, given a specific location off center to the farthest limit of the bound.
If there is a better idea for a light that will run for 36 hours off a battery and be visible at 18 feet above ground for about a mile, I'd be happy to hear that, too. It just seems a laser in the air gets me greater visibility from a distance on less power than a spotlight.
