As some of you more observant players may have noticed, the Wire Directional Radio Kits were recently fixed to actually be able to receive transmissions properly! What does this mean? You can now wirelessly transmit numerical data between ships, without having to mess with e2's "complex" channel system.
Basics:
- Power range: 0 - 1000W
- Radio Sensitivity: -90dBm
- Radio Scale: 180u
- dBm = decibel-milliwatts
- Polarization = Optimal orientation
Required Math:
Calculating power at destination:
P_{destination} \approx \frac{\log_{10} 10^{\frac{P}{10}}}{(4 \pi \cdot {\frac{d}{scale}}^2) \cdot10} + 30
Where P = TxWatts and d = distance between antennas.
For some background info:
- 1000W/60dBm = Microwave oven emissions
- 100W/50dBm = Typical maximum ham radio output
- 10W/40dBm = Typical power line transmission power.
- 1W/30dBm = Maximum 1G/2G cellphone transmission power
Use in game:In my testing I found that the omni-directional and logistic radios were the easiest to aim. Here's a short overview of the different types:Omni-Directional:- 360 degree transmission
- No damage to surroundings at high power
- Shortest range
- Vertical polarization
Logistic:- 20 degree transmission (comes out the skinnier end)
- Damages in large-ish cone in front of antenna at high powers.
- Medium range
- Horizontal polarization
Dishes:- 5 degree transmission (very hard to aim!)
- Highly directional damage at high powers
- Long range
- Varying polarization, but usually horizontal.
Tips:- For ship to ship I'd suggest using logistic antennas as they have the greatest range while still allowing for error in alignment.
- For bases on the same planet omni-directional should be fine.
- If you can use e2 to get 2 dishes aligned to <5 degrees be all means use dishes!
- Always use antennas with the same polarization to avoid skew losses
- Never stand in front of beams over 100W
Using the radios:To use the radios you will need a transmitter and a receiver both set to the same BaseMHz value. This can be pretty much any number, any radios on the same BaseMHz can see each other if they're in range. You can change between transmitters or receivers in the tool itself.In addition, transmitters must also have:- TxWatts set to desired power level
- Energy from a resource network
- On wired to a button
I'd suggest making TxWatts easily changeable with a lever.Once you have all that done:- Align antennas
- Set data in desired channels
- Begin transmitting
- Do not step in front of high power transmissions (it hurts)
If necessary boost transmission power until you establish a connection. In order for a connection to be successful, the following conditions must be met:- Strongest signal on channel
- Within range (~1000 units)
- Greater than -90 dBm received at receiver.
- Received transmission is greater than reciever background noise
Background Noise:Props within 1000 units of a receiver generate background noise, burning props generate even more. Too much background noise can lower signal reception below the -90 dBm threshold.
Images:
A small test setup on the ground. Similar to what you might use for medium range ship-to-ship.
(http://i.imgur.com/Z0SEO5z.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pNbkqYM.jpg)