Rigel Stardin
SOC-13
I found Traveller lacking in equipment to detect ships, structures on a planet surface, and composition of object at range. So I brought a few items in from well known Science Fictions storys, tv show and the like. Thought I post them here.
HyDAR: Abbreviation for Hyperspace Detection and Ranging similar to radar it detects ships in hyperspace. All Hyperspace Detection and Range wavelengths are too large to detect the size and shape of a vessel. HYDAR relies on reading the gravimetric shockwave or hyperwave of a Hyperspace Generator as it approaches or leaves the system. However down through the centuries certain statistical models have been made to identify ships in Hyperspace. Most of these models rely on the size and shape of the field generated by the Hyperspace generator. GM Notes: Hydar only gives a systems 15 minutes warning for a ship coming into the system and can track a ship for 15 minutes leaving the system. It can detect mupltiple targets but can never ever tell you what coming. Example: "Jon there is a 500 ton vessel head our way..." or "Jon we have seven 100 ton vessel approaching the system."
Passives (Sensors): This device is used in normal space and on planetary surfaces. It will report to the operator the mass of the object, power sources (if any), range and speed of the target. This device is really nothing more than very sophisticated radar. A skilled operator can usually distinguish much from these reading. He is able to determine the difference between asteroids and ship’s not under power.
The military refers to this device as passives. They are use in conjunction with databases and computer programs that allow the operator to track and recognize ships by the mass and drive signatures. Much like the submariners did in the wet navies of the old. GM Notes: Passives are basically collecting information around the general area of the ship. Do to the vastest of sytem space, the information could be minutes to hours old. They can detect object moving under power faster than an object that isn't. It's like listening to a hydrophone on a sub, you can hear alot of things but which one is the enemy sub. Since it is a "listening device", the ship or vehicle carrying this device has a faint EM signature.
Active(Scanner): Same as passives but you are now broadcasting a signal. The operator can now see and locate objects around his ship,see their structure both inside and out (Think MRI or CAT Scan), determine compostion, what type of power sources are in the area and locate people inside a structure. GM Notes: Electronic countermeasures and Force Shields can block the Scanner from giving the player detailed information. +2 on the EM signature of the ship or vehicle using it.
Further Notes: Use radio and radar equipment guide and there ranges in MegaTraveller for outfiting ships, vehicles and personal equipment.
Personal note from when I played: Sensors or Scanners are not Star Trek devices, they can only detect objects in normal space or pick out individual people in a crowd or a base. They only allowed players to see the map of the base or what they were up against. An aide to discovering something hidden in a room, repair equipment or find an artifact from an ancient culture.
HyDAR: Abbreviation for Hyperspace Detection and Ranging similar to radar it detects ships in hyperspace. All Hyperspace Detection and Range wavelengths are too large to detect the size and shape of a vessel. HYDAR relies on reading the gravimetric shockwave or hyperwave of a Hyperspace Generator as it approaches or leaves the system. However down through the centuries certain statistical models have been made to identify ships in Hyperspace. Most of these models rely on the size and shape of the field generated by the Hyperspace generator. GM Notes: Hydar only gives a systems 15 minutes warning for a ship coming into the system and can track a ship for 15 minutes leaving the system. It can detect mupltiple targets but can never ever tell you what coming. Example: "Jon there is a 500 ton vessel head our way..." or "Jon we have seven 100 ton vessel approaching the system."
Passives (Sensors): This device is used in normal space and on planetary surfaces. It will report to the operator the mass of the object, power sources (if any), range and speed of the target. This device is really nothing more than very sophisticated radar. A skilled operator can usually distinguish much from these reading. He is able to determine the difference between asteroids and ship’s not under power.
The military refers to this device as passives. They are use in conjunction with databases and computer programs that allow the operator to track and recognize ships by the mass and drive signatures. Much like the submariners did in the wet navies of the old. GM Notes: Passives are basically collecting information around the general area of the ship. Do to the vastest of sytem space, the information could be minutes to hours old. They can detect object moving under power faster than an object that isn't. It's like listening to a hydrophone on a sub, you can hear alot of things but which one is the enemy sub. Since it is a "listening device", the ship or vehicle carrying this device has a faint EM signature.
Active(Scanner): Same as passives but you are now broadcasting a signal. The operator can now see and locate objects around his ship,see their structure both inside and out (Think MRI or CAT Scan), determine compostion, what type of power sources are in the area and locate people inside a structure. GM Notes: Electronic countermeasures and Force Shields can block the Scanner from giving the player detailed information. +2 on the EM signature of the ship or vehicle using it.
Further Notes: Use radio and radar equipment guide and there ranges in MegaTraveller for outfiting ships, vehicles and personal equipment.
Personal note from when I played: Sensors or Scanners are not Star Trek devices, they can only detect objects in normal space or pick out individual people in a crowd or a base. They only allowed players to see the map of the base or what they were up against. An aide to discovering something hidden in a room, repair equipment or find an artifact from an ancient culture.
