An inexpensive GaAs laser diode pulse generator is presented. This generator has found application in the evaluation of optical pulse dispersion in glass fiber optical waveguide studies. It is capable of producing optical impulses as narrow as 110 psec at a wavelength of 0.9 &mgr; and a pulse repetition rate of 50 kHz. With a slight modification, it may be used to produce optical pulses of considerably longer duration at reduced repetition rates.