Re: Star Trek Communicators (Was:This weeks Ep...nil points)

Calling to orbit - Yes, we have satellite phones but they don't work
unless they can get a clear signal to the satellite. Currently, this
means a clear line of site or a large transceiver. However,
considering how large cell phones were 20 years ago and how I can now
get pretty good signal inside a building that I used to jokingly refer
to as "the Faraday Cage" because it was just about impossible to get a
signal inside of it 4 or 5 years ago. Calling from the other side of
the planet, without a second satellite in place (in Star Trek, the
Enterprise is usually able to remain in contact with anyone anywhere
on the planet and it's often the only thing in orbit) would be a big
issue but I'm sure if with some proper thought, someone could design a
way to have a signal bounce off the ionosphere of a planet and then
have it reach the ship.

Why do that, (short wave radio already can) when all the USS Enterprise has
to do is deploy some communications satellite drones into orbit, and then
recall them when it leaves.

I thought about that (it's something that was used in Seaquest DSV)
but the Enterprise never seems to launch any sort of drones when they
go to a planet as part of their normal operating procedures (they do
occasionally launch probes in order to study a planet and they used it
once or twice to bost communications but that was noted to be an
exception, not the rule). It is a good idea but Star Trek never
seemed to use it.

.

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