View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
OGOPTIMUS Captain
Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 980
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject: Communication in the SFU |
|
|
This seems like as good a place as any for this question.
I've looked through the BBS about this and can't find exactly what I'm looking for.
From what I can recall of the SFU fiction that I've read, and watching The Original Series again (love those remastered external shots), most of the inter-ship communications are "email-like", where one ship sends a message and then receives a reply later. Not like in TNG where Star Fleet Command can talk to Picard instantaneously when he's way out on the rim.
So, I guess my question is, does that long-range instantaneous communication exist in the SFU? Does it have a range limit?
Are distress signals instantaneous? Is there a range limit on those? The only distress signals I remember in TOS were Fed outpost 4 along the Neutral zone in Balance of Terror (and the range there is ambiguous, IIRC) and the Constellation in the Doomsday Machine, and she was really beaten up, so maybe she couldn't have gotten instantaneous comms online (that and Decker was rather out of it at the time). _________________ O.G. OPTIMUS
Newest Page | Newer Page | OLD Page |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Carthaginian Lieutenant SG
Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 157
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Subspace communications are supposed to travel at Warp 9.99, IIRC.
So, things are very, very fast... but not instantaneous. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Scoutdad Commodore
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 4754 Location: Middle Tennessee
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Pual: I'd guess that the sub-space communications are near instantaneous at the distances involved in SFB / Fed Comm battles.
Now in a PD campaign, OTOh - I can see Comm Lag creating some very interesting (read as *tense*) situations. _________________ Commander, Battlegroup Murfreesboro
Department Head, ACTASF |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OGOPTIMUS Captain
Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 980
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Right, the lag on long range communications might make tense situations, in the case of messaging back and forth. So would face to face visual contact even be attempted? Say between a patrolling ship and the Admiral back at the Starbase/Battlestation? _________________ O.G. OPTIMUS
Newest Page | Newer Page | OLD Page |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wolverin61 Commander
Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 495 Location: Mississippi
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Amok Time was on here Sunday night (love the new externals myself) and Kirk was talking to Admiral Komack on a realtime video call. So, I guess it depends on where in the galaxy you are, how far from the nearest starbase etc. _________________ "His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dal Downing Commander
Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 651 Location: Western Wisconsin
|
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
If your looking for a reason why some messages are faster than other I guess you could always say there are Sub Space repeaters similar to Cell Towers. Either it is Instantaneousor you could get slowed by a huge call volume/Ion Storm.
If I Remember right in the latest TV series on the air. (Yes I know it is outside of our source material.) The First E was dropping Repeater Buoys as it went and something was taking them out behind them. _________________ -Dal
"Which one of you is the Biggest, Baddest, Bootlicker of the bunch?"
"I am."
"ARCHERS!!! THAT ONE!!!!" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Fleet Captain
Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 1675 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hence the need for bases of any sort along the limits of "safe" explored space. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Scoutdad Commodore
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 4754 Location: Middle Tennessee
|
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Of course, if you're playing a Prime Directive campaign you need to remember one thing:
Communication moves at the speed of plot!
If you need a comm lag to promote the independent thinking of the group, then something... [lack of repeater bouys, raging ion storms, sub-space distortion, etc] prevents or slows teh normally instaneous communication system.
If you merely need to let them know hteir next assignment, communications are clear and fast... _________________ Commander, Battlegroup Murfreesboro
Department Head, ACTASF |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve Cole Site Admin
Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 3832
|
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Prime Directive states that two-way commo is instantaneous in the same F&E hex (500 parsecs), and has a 15-minute lag per hex, plus whatever delays and problems (e.g., ion storms) that the GM uses to drive the adventure. _________________ The Guy Who Designed Fed Commander
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vulcan Ensign
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Location: North Las Vegas, NV
|
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Carthaginian wrote: | Subspace communications are supposed to travel at Warp 9.99, IIRC.
So, things are very, very fast... but not instantaneous. |
I believe your going by the "revised" Warp Speeds from NG and later. In TOS I believe it was warp 15 (3375c) which would be approx. 500 ms lag per F&E hex assuming transmitter could range reciever without help. If it is warp 9.99 (~997c) then lag per F&E hex would be approx. 1.5 sec. which with repeater delays and retransmissions, etc. would be 15 minutes per hex easy (if not more, how many RTOs had to write it down and then resend it?). _________________ Strength and Honor,
Van A. Henson
s32nd FAD Vulcan
COMMANDING
32ND FLEET |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve Cole Site Admin
Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 3832
|
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
PD defines commo speed as 15 minute per F&E hex. _________________ The Guy Who Designed Fed Commander
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|