[taesis]

Since you have way more knowledge in this area than I do, would it ever make sense to use a radio frequency laser (if that's even possible) for point to point communication? Like, to cut down on signal loss and etc. in much the same way as visible light lasers perform better than LEDs. I'm completely unknowledgable about physics, so that may not have made any sense XD but I'm interested in the answer!

[Piskvorrr]

It would work better - but I'm pretty sure that the decisive factor was cost: back when this was conceived, getting a useful laser would have driven the cost 10x higher. Plus, I think there's some pesky law on coherent light output power and whatnot (and another which bans lasers outright if you're close enough to an airport).

[taesis]

Aah, makes sense that they wouldn't want to foul up any instruments that rely on RF/microwave. Thanks for the answer :D