Several years ago, I believe QST had an article regarding using a Laser
ionized air path as an antenna. Hmmm ... it may have been the April issue!



Asimov wrote:

"Frangois Guillet" bravely wrote to "All" (16 May 05 10:04:17)
--- on the heady topic of "Ionized air antenna"

FG Reply-To: "Frangois Guillet"
FG Xref: aeinews rec.radio.amateur.antenna:30438

FG HSV Technologies Inc is developing a "weapon that uses ultraviolet
FG laser beams to harmlessly immobilize people and animals at a distance :
FG the Phaser-like device uses two beams of UV radiation to ionize paths
FG in the air along which electrical current is conducted"
FG http://www.hsvt.org/

FG Do you think the ionized path in the air could be used to carry HF
FG currents? With strong laser beams -if they don't diverge too quickly-
FG this would lead to "virtual" very long wire antennas easy to erect!


Being basically an electric arc, its noise might be a problem.
Some time back I mentioned using a cold discharge tube, such as a long
neon, but IIRC the comments were generally negative.

A*s*i*m*o*v

... 2 rules for success: (1) Don't tell everything you know..