[Laser] laser pointer

[James Whitfield]

Recent posting about laser pointers reminded me of a question that I had for 
this group regarding the use of green laser pointers.

I have noticed that amateur some astronomers have mounted green laser 
pointers on their telescopes, presumably to indicate where in the sky the 
telescope is pointing.  Some are in addition to a "finder scope", but some 
seem to be instead of the older technology.  ( Not relevant to 
communications, but I have seen some mounted on computer controled "go to" 
scopes, which have me puzzled -- are they a manual pointing aid when the 
computer is switched off, or are they used to show the point in the sky to 
surrounding observers where the computer has plotted the position of an 
object? )

The green laser pointers show a green line that is much more visible from 
the side than is typical of red laser pointers.  The green laser pointers 
are far more expensive to "tinker" with for communications experiments, and 
many of the common detectors are less sensitive to green than red.  I would 
not consider using them as the communications element.  However, since they 
are much easier to see with the human eye, they seem well suited as 
"pointers" for any light communication device: laser, LED, or particularly 
IR.

I have thought that using such a sighting guide on a light communication 
receiver would make it easier to align the communications equipment in the 
field.  I was wondering if anyone has tried to do this, or even better has 
some suggestions about how to use them.

James
 n5gui