RF/microwaves over Fiberoptic cable???
 

Howdy!

A few comments on fiber:

1 - we cannot confuse bandwidth (MHz) with bitrate (Mbps or Gbps). Two
different monsters. Currently CATV uses fiber optics to transmit TV
signals over RF, also called analogue video. You will need, of
course, a transceiver on both ends, which will be powered by
electricity that will then "power" an antenna. That would be an
awesome solution (if economically feasible for HAMs) in places with
lots of lightning storms (e.g. Florida). If a lightning hits an
antenna the only things fried would be the antenna itself and the
transceiver. Since fiber is dielectric (assuming the use of an
all-dielectric cable also) the radio would be fine if not surge came
through the power line. Fiber optics can have (depending on the
type) TeraHertz in terms of bandwidth and transmit TeraBits of
information per second using techniques such as Dense Wavelength
Division Multiplexing, which is simply sending multiple colors (or
wavelengths) through it.

2 - tapping into fiber. Not so easy as mentioned above.
Transmitters can be equipped with optical power variation detection and
the system themselves can also detect variation in the BER (bit error
rate) that would raise if someone tries to tap into fiber. Those two
controls make fiber virtually impossible to undetected tapping.
"Shaving" fiber by eroding its coating will only make the intrusion
even more noticeable since there will be a big optical power loss in a
certain point of the link. That point can be precisely detected
within a few feet range by using an OTDR (optical time domain
reflectometer) that can locate the failure in seconds and, depending on
security level of the link, let the security personell take
"appropriate care" of the "spy". So, do not try this at home.

It is easier to hack into someone's network via computer code than via
the optical physical medium.

Cheers!