[Laser] Newbie

[Keith Ballinger]

Hello all - 
I was wondering who is on this list? I am new to the idea of laser communications, although I have been involved both professionally and as a ham in microwave communications.

I have found a few web-sites with information on amateur activity but would like to know what equipment people are using - is it mainly the solid-state lasers from pointers, or what? Also what detectors are the most common?
 Regards, 
Keith VA3QF 
CAMBRIDGE, Ontario 
EN93tj