light vs milimeter wave. Range factors?

[neazoi]

Hello I consider a single IR LED and a milimeter wave (near IR) RF oscillator of about the same output power.

Why the RF oscillator is able to achieve a greater range (cover a greater distance, considering two-way communication) than the LED?

They are afterall of about the same frequency "band".

 

[FvM]

millimeter wave isn't near IR, it has 2-3 orders of magnitude larger wavelength. near IR is "micrometer wave".

 

[neazoi]

millimeter wave isn't near IR, it has 2-3 orders of magnitude larger wavelength. near IR is "micrometer wave".

Thank you.