Light for optical morse (Long range) for scout unit.

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1

Hello,

I have been watching this forum for many years.



I am a scout leader and with my unit we do long range optical morse code.



I am asking you because I am looking for a lamp corresponding to these needs.



We do transmissions of several kilometers and ideally I would like to achieve a range of 8 / 10 km (5 / 6 miles)



Regarding the budget, it would be desirable to stay around thirty euros (~30$) just for the lamp part with Aliexpress or similar (Fasttech, Bangood, etc.) as a supplier.



I have multiple skills, especially in electronics (not in design!).



So I'm looking for:

or a lamp with the possibility of installing a simple remote contactor (on/off).

either find an assembly: reflector / LED / driver / battery



I also have a 3D printer.



In detail, the transmission station consists of a camera tripod surmounted by a board (useful for alignment with the compass) receiving the lamp.

An electric wire starts from the lamp and goes to the operator.

The operator has a morse key.



Obviously a lamp already assembled already or to be modified is preferable because it can be given other uses.



Currently the position that is relatively suitable is a Maglite 4D modified with a Terralux tle-310 head and 4 eneloop AA (D adapters).



I tested an Anjoet 3T6 1 mode, but disappointed, not as good as my 4D/Terralux.

I have an old 6D lying around but a possible module is very expensive.



Well, thank you for your attention and even more for your proposals.

2

Make yourself at home, Ducius!

Wow, several kilometers or more...

I wish you good luck.

3

Nice project!
In order to save money and since the flashlight should not get too hot in your use case, I would probably buy any cheap light with detachable big reflector head (even plastic), 3D print a casing containing battery holders and with threads to mount the flashlights head, bypass the driver with wires and connect it with battery holders and morse key.

4

Thank you for your comment.

Indeeditis one of the possible options, nevertheless I address the forum to have tracks on the led to choose (and its tension), driver and the adequate reflector.

This in order to have a powerful and concentrated beam.

5

You can readily get a remote switch for a Convoy S2+ or a C8. If you get it with biscotti and set it to 100% you have the complete package. Just need to pick the best LED to work in various weather conditions and at that distance. And they should have to improvise a tripod mount in the field.

6

I’d recommend sticking with a one mode driver in this case if possible. You wouldn’t want to be accidentally triggering the Biscotti menu every time you try to tap out some morse.

7

Thanks

the question is there:
which led, which driver (if any) and which reflector…

Convoy c8, I was looking at this but will it be a narrow and strong enough beam?
It is a base to modify but what modification?

8

You don’t need any driver, just wires. Morse is on/off.
Reflector: bigger is better, I consider C8 pretty small for the desired range.

9

With the budget in mind and the ability to use it for other things the options are limited. Are you sending signals both ways? Is the compass the only means of aiming? Have you put a light at the other end after the fact to see how good the scouts aim is with the compass? The amount of other lights surrounding both ends of these stations will impact how much light you really need for 5+ miles. There’s a thread on the other forum with pictures of an Acebeam W30 easily visible from 12 miles. I think he was going to attempt to find a place to go farther.

10

I kind of assumed you were doing this at night, are you doing it at night or daytime or both?

11

Thank you for your interest.

Yes, is a night activity.

The compass is the best way to have the right angle of sight (there remains the height adjustment to be adjusted by adjusting as you can).

I think, the power does not have to be exceptional, nevertheless it need it identify itself in the middle of the "parasitic" lights.

The reflector/lens is I think the crux of the matter.

In my youth, we did this with Mag-chargers over 4~5 miles, but it was not always easy.

I think that today with technological progress we must do better and lighter...

With your help, I'm sure the solution will be found. Basically I need a torch of ~1500 or 2500lm and especially with an adequate reflector. I think...

12

Interesting article about nocturnal lights. Mostly about night time mirages in different parts of the world but also also talks about early surveyors using fire before electricity. Nocturnal Lights

13

Use laser.

14

Hi,

actually I thought of that. perhaps a defocused collimator should be used.

a little scared (it's not my children but those of others!).

t

track raises other questions: what power, what wavelength? (and finally which module would be suitable)...

15

I googled incandescent mag charger specifications. I’ve not found much but perhaps original lamp gave 218 lumens/51,700 CP. Source: post #11 on this page the other site.

I’ve struggled to find a conversation factor but I think 51,700 CP is about 50Kcd. 200 lumens and 50kcd should be easy to beat with today’s technology.

16

Osram CSLNM1.F1 might be a safer option inside an e-switch host modded to run basically direct drive and running wires through the switch hole to activate the gate of a mosfet. Maybe a cheap light like a Yupard or something could work as a host.

Emitter here : http://kaidomain.com/Osram-KP-CSLNM1_F1-8N6P-A-Green-550nm-LED-Emitter

17

You already know how a Terralux TLE-310M performs.

Matt Smith (a member here and owner of AdventureSportFlashlights) did a video review of some maglite drop-ins which included the Terralux TLE-310M which you already have, in this video at around 5:50 he provides output and beam distance measurements:

According to Matt the beam distance for the Terralux is 261m, which is about 17kcd. Using this as a reference point there are many lights within your budget that have a greater beam distance, it’s just a case of finding one that matches all your requirements.

Do you want to stay with NiMH batteries or do you want to move to Li-ION batteries?

The C8 you mention will require Li-ION bin it’s standard form but is capable of a much greater beam distance and is very easy to modify, or you can buy a host and choose your own driver and LED to install.

If you look at the 4th and 5th pictures in this review (of a C8+ but the same applies to a C8):
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/52774
you can see how the torch breaks down into it’s parts and how easy it is to access the internals. And while you can buy a remote switch for it you can easily access the switchboard and switch to connect an external switch yourself, and while i haven’t done it should be possible to power the head from an external NiMH battery pack if you don’t want to use Li-ION as long as you match the voltage to the driver, but the C8 is only one option and there may be a more suitable NiMH ready option if you decide this.

Another cheap option might be to replace the LEDs in the Terralux - if the LEDs are on their own accessible MCPCB and you are willing to try a reflow :slight_smile:

18

Why 550nm? Green color?

19

Our eyes have the highest sensitivity to this wavelength. If you are signalling, factors like white light and CRI don’t matter.

20

Hi,

I've been looking at the Convoy C8 for a few weeks and the Trusfire TL-3L2.

They seem easy to modify.

I know a Mag-Charger wasn't very powerful, but its beam was focused enough to be visible 4-5 miles away.

As said above, I don't need a lot of lumens if I have a good reflector (and/or lens).

Terralux TLE-310 has never been used for such long distance (I didn't have this in my youth (I'm 40!)

No problem using 18650, it's an increasingly common form factor in France.