Virtual Beacon

[rburns]

For my sins I have been tasked with investigating a "virtual beacon" for use in the Jubilee celebrations here in Upton, Poole, Dorset. There is a traditional physical beacon site here, but we thought it would be good to investigate a modern alternative. My thinking was around a simple display of four parallel laser beams on a one metre rectangular base projecting vertically at right angles to the ground.

a) possible?
b) is there anybody in the Bournemouth/Poole area that might be able to do it?

TIA
Ron Burns

[WookieBoy]

HI Ron.

I'm sure Norty on here might be able to help... I think he's in your area(ish)

As to the idea of pointing the lasers upwards, there's a bit of red tape/paper work involved, but not too much as I understand it... However, it might be complicated by the proximity of the airport (if I you're that close to Bournemouth) but nothing that talking to the right right authorities can't get sorted out.

If Norty can't help you, I'm sure there's others on here that can.

Good luck and happy lasing! :-)

[norty303]

Thanks for thinking of me, but I'm abut further up the coast in East Sussex. I think the problem you will have is making it bright enough to make it worthwhile. Viewed from the side, as this sounds like it will be, is the worst possible scenario for brightness. You will need something serious I would imagine and even then it may be less than satisfactory. Try speaking to Dan Briggs, AC Lasers or Mark Insanity who all have access to the sort of kit you'll probably need.

[soforene]

Does it have to be Lasers?
Howsabout one of those large globes (1 metre diameter) secured at height by 4 guy ropes (to minimise "drift") and then have 4 GOBO's of Flames at each "corner" projecting onto it.

[White-Light]

Or how about a giant silk flame effect such as:

http://www.luxa.co.uk/categories/the-firestorms.aspx

Probably cheaper to buy than hiring a laser company and less safety complications.

[depo]

Or how about a giant silk flame effect such as:

http://www.luxa.co.uk/categories/the-firestorms.aspx

Probably cheaper to buy than hiring a laser company and less safety complications.

They would have to be the tackiest things i have ever seen. you cant be seriously suggesting them.

[WookieBoy]

If it doesn't have to be lasers, I have just the thing in my lighting hire stock...

7KW Xenon searchlight :-)

It's a bit of a trek from Luton though... I'm sure someone closer would have something similar you could use...

Even a Sharpie (or four) would produce a great beam for sky-tracking if you put them in a weatherproof dome.

I'm happy to provide lighting (not lasers though) if you can't find anyone closer... Just send me a PM in the unlikely event that a local co can't help ;-)

@Norty :- Sorry m8, thought you were closer... Knew you were on the south coast somewhere... ;-)

[norty303]

No worries. I was going to suggest a searchlight or something, but thought they might be a bit WW2

[White-Light]

They would have to be the tackiest things i have ever seen. you cant be seriously suggesting them.

Admittedly some are tacky and cheap but equally I've seen some you've had to walk quite close up to, to actually tell that it wasn't a flame.

Wookie, I like your CP suggestion.

[flecom]

am I the only one that read the title of the thread as "virtual bacon"? lol