[Laser] Laser comm and ARRL?

[Rochte, Robert]

>I can't say I blame them, laser is very time consuming 
>(alignment/initial signal acquisition) and is a little
>more difficult to do in daylight.

I'm curious about how the various descriptions of non-line-of-sight laser
communications fit into this...  It seems that some folks are saying that
you need precise alignment, laser to receiver, etc., whilst others suggest
that they just point the laser and receiver into the same general area of
the sky and *voila* - they make a contact.

Is this simply a matter of modulation scheme or something else?  If NLOS
communication is not only possible but also consistently achievable, then
why doesn't everyone use the techniques and equipment necessary to make such
contacts and call it a day?  It seems like using laser for contesting would
then be a reasonable proposition.

Or am I totally missing something here?

Thanks and 73,
Robert
KC8UCH