Rod, at 12:45 on Nov 25 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> A mate of mine has urgent need for some method of visually 
BG> detecting infra-red beams...

RG> What *I* use is the IR reciever from the old Akai VCR's (VS2 
RG> etc). These units can easily be detached from the machine and
RG>  powered by a 9v battery...  the LED will on these light up 
RG> with *any* IR.

Somewhat similar to what I'm using here, except mine is a clear IR LED
wired to the CRO, so I can physically see the PCM from remote transmitters.
 However, this is NOT the application my friend has in mind, but I really
can't be any more specific than that, as I believe that what he has in mind
is possibly bordering on illegal.

RG> Failing that, WES components have an IR remote tester listed 
RG> in their catalogue for $79.50  (code RCT5502)

Hard to determine from the catalogue's description and picture as to
whether or not this would do the job.  It needs to function perectly the
first time, or the shit is really going to hit the fan...

RG> I have also seen "IR detector cards" advertised in
Television Magazine..  
RG> these are quite cheap, about the size of a credit card, and have some kind 
RG> of coating that glows when IR is detected.  I don't know if these are 
RG> available in Oz or not though.

Imagine this hypothetical set of circumstances - you are in a dark room, no
ambient light whatsoever, and there are several IR beams which will
activate an alarm system when interrupted.  What would YOU use to detect
these beams?

Regards, Bill

--- MsgedSQ/2 3.50