XPost: rec.arts.sf.tv, rec.arts.tv   
   From: kwicker1b_nospam@comcast.net   
      
   "ANIM8Rfsk"  wrote in message   
   news:BF852FAD.59458%ANIM8Rfsk@cox.net...   
   > in article 11lvdktghnn43eb@news.supernews.com, Paul Vader at   
   > pv+usenet@pobox.com wrote on 10/26/05 10:02 AM:   
   >   
   >> ANIM8Rfsk  writes:   
   >>>> Star Trek communicators are magic. Deal with it. *   
   >>>   
   >>> First I want an example of communicators talking through a planet.   
   >>   
   >> The enterprise is in orbit. Therefore, for much of the time, it has no   
   >> line   
   >> of sight to the landing party. The planet's in the way.   
   >>   
   >> Unless the enterprise always uses geosyncronous orbits anyway. I suppose   
   >> that's a possible fanwank. *   
   >   
   > The Enterprise is hovering in place over the landing party position, at   
   > altitude well below geosync.  It's really just flying under power.  If it   
   > was orbiting around the planet, they wouldn't be able to use the   
   > transporter.  Any magic capability of the communicator would be sorta   
   > wasted   
   > if you can call for help through the planet but the ship has to come and   
   > get   
   > you.   
   >   
   > --   
   >   
   > You Can't Stop the Signal   
      
   Okay communicating from the opposite side of the planet is theoretically   
   possible by emitting a powerful enough radio signal akin to flashing a   
   lightbeam straight up from one side of a 5-story wall. Someone on the other   
   side of the wall could see the flashing beam and realize it was morse code.   
      
   Even if the radio signals travel perpendicular to the Enterprise, if the   
   ship is actively sensing, like radar or sonar, transmitting its own signals   
   and noticing the reflected signals and analyzing it for a standard   
   communicator signal, you could effectively communicate "around" a   
   planet--regardless of atmosphere or satellites.   
      
   -- Ken from Chicago   
      
   P.S. And how hard would it be to drop an automated probe or two in orbit   
   specifically to maintain communications if they had to travel to the   
   opposite side of the planet?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)