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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EZXEwX603UuA1VNBHL0eEbv/dy+rcOF4McQCsXO6BltLTdS0AepOGwdwdx0ovsDE
 awu+gIvIcj4tn0176GWsaw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-007357.txt : 20030912
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-007357.hdr.sgml : 20030912
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030912135249
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-007357
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030912
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030912

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUBBO CARL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001262229

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-08828
		FILM NUMBER:		03893494

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15217 BAILEYS LANE
		CITY:			SILVER SPRINGS
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20906

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OPTELECOM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000275858
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				521010850
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9300 GAITHER RD
		CITY:			GAITHERSBURG
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20877
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3018402121

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9300 GAITHER RD
		CITY:			GAITHERSBURG
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20877
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-09-12</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000275858</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OPTELECOM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OPTC</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262229</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUBBO CARL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>15217 BAILEY'S LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SILVER SPRING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20906</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock (Restricted Stock per Dir Comp)</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Dir. Stock Option (Right to buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>14.99</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-09-12</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>X</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>14.99</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>3000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>21250</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Exercised Options with various Dates</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>James Armstrong P.O.A.</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-09-12</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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