			    TRAVELLER Digest 224

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Changing e-mail address	by DFQ9117@ACS.TAMU.EDU
  2) RICE: Phoebus	by Michael Llaneza <mllaneza@mercury.sfsu.edu>
  3) Mass Driver Guns	by Lahtinen Antti Jussi <al76188@cs.tut.fi>
  4) Re: TRAVELLER digest 222	by aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
  5) Re: TRAVELLER digest 223	by John Muir Macpherson <muirmac@uclink.berkeley.edu>
  6) Re: TRAVELLER digest 223	by aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
  7) comments on striker	by "Post, D L (Dan)" <PostD%HOST2@WLV.IIPO.GTEGSC.COM>
  8) Re: The Death of Wisdom	by Mark Clark <markc@brahms.udel.edu>
  9) Re: TRAVELLER Digest 223	by "Harold D. Hale" <hdhale@smtpwpo.dayt.tasc.com>
 10) Radio freqs	by MDURRAN@aol.com
 11) Transponders	by Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 10:50:53 -0600 (CST)
From: DFQ9117@ACS.TAMU.EDU
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Changing e-mail address
Message-ID: <950315105053.20a09e25@ACS.TAMU.EDU>

Administrator,
	Would you please change my mailing address for the TRAVELLER
digest from dfq9117@zeus.tamu.edu to:

		dfq9117@tam2000.tamu.edu

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
David F. Quarles

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 08:57:50 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Llaneza <mllaneza@mercury.sfsu.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Cc: Multiple recipients of list <traveller@MPGN.COM>
Subject: RICE: Phoebus
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.950315085228.13447A-100000@orion>

I'm working on the RCES world of Phoebus for a RICE paper and my own 
campaign. So far I have a very interesting solar system. Those darn dice 
come up with the darndest things, but I like these. I also have some 
notes on culture and history. There will be one NPC (at least) of the 
sole RC representative since one of my PC's is his nephew.

Is anyone else detailing the worlds of the RC? I suspect that enough 
different people are doing the major worlds (Aubaine, Oriflamme, ...) 
that some may want to collaborate. Since GDW is, apparently, not going to 
further detail the RC, I think that the TML list is the best way to get 
and share details on those worlds.


Michael Carter Llaneza
Conceptual Design Services             The Worse it gets,
Pi Kappa Phi                           The more I get used to it.
"I am the NRA"			       Duty Now For The Future
Veteran of the Bermuda Triangle Expeditionary Force 1990-1951


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 20:33:29 +0200 (EET)
From: Lahtinen Antti Jussi <al76188@cs.tut.fi>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Mass Driver Guns
Message-ID: <199503151833.UAA07588@kaarne.cs.tut.fi>

	Mass Driver Designs

	I do not think that there is anything wrong with the mass driver
	projectile weight formula, if you consider the material the round
	is made of.

	If the MD projectile has the same shape as Gauss projectile
	(l/w ratio 5), the weigth formula [Mp = (pi * r^3)/10] shows
	that the projectile is made of density 10 material. According
	to this, the projectile is a finned dart made of Crystal Iron
	or Iron jacketed Superdense, and will treated as APFSDSxx
	ammunition. (penetration multiplier 4.5 or higher)

	(Actually, the first MD guns in TL-8 would use DU penetrators
	with ferromagnetic jackets or sabots. However, the maximum
	muzzle velocity is 3000 m/s at TL-8, and conventional CRP guns
	can usually outperform any MD guns at this Tech Level.)

----------

TL-14 2cm Mass Driver Auto Cannon (Vehicle Mounted)

Ammo:		2x10cm MD
Muzzle Energy:	5.652 Mj, Required Energy 9.0432 Mj
Required Power:	45.126 MW to fire 5-round bursts (25 rounds/5 seconds)
Weapon Volume:	0.568m3
Weapon Weight:	930kg
Weapon Price:	Cr527777
Magaz Weight:	3kg empty, 317kg loaded
Magaz Price:	Cr18 (holds 1000 rounds)
Ammo Price:	Cr10.99 (CI), 12.56 (SD), 14.13 (BSD)
Ammo Weigth:	0.314kg per round (2x10cm density 10 cylinder)
Features:	EMS Range Finder (3km short range), TL-14 Ballsitic
		Computer (ignore 5 Diff Mods)

Round Type	ROF	DamVal	PenVal		Magaz	SRange	IDR
2cm MD CI-10	5	158	205-178-151-98	1000	1610m	34km
2cm MD SD-12	5	158	228-198-168-109	1000	1610m	34km
2cm MD BSD-14	5	158	273-237-201-130	1000	1610m	34km

Note: While this is the smallest possible MD autocannon in TL-14, the BSD
projectiles have enough penetration to knock holes in the "Intrepid" grav
tank front armor.

----------

Desing Beakdown:

Compenent	Volume (m3)	Mass (ton)	Price (MCr)
Gun		0.080		0.080		0.004,000
AC loader	0.016		0.016		0.000,157
HPG		0.362		0.724		0.003,620
EMS RF		0.080		0.080		0.020,000
Ballistic Comp	0.030		0.030		0.500,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Gun Total	0.568		0.930		0.527,777

Compenent	Volume (m3)	Mass (ton)	Price (MCr)
Magazine	0.063		0.003		0.000,018
Ammo Load			0.314		0.010,990
---------------------------------------------------------
Magazine Total	0.063		0.317		0.011,008


Note: 20x100mm gauss rifle rounds are made of density 2 plastic, and
weigth only 63 grams. Thus 20x100mm/60 gauss rifle would have a muzzle
energy of 1.13 Mj, and have less damage and penetration than 2cm MD.

Round Type	DamVal	PenRtg	SRange
20x100/60 Dart	71	2-2-2	300 (1702)

-- 
        Antti Lahtinen    :     Justice is Only a Wish of a Weak
        al76188@cs.tut.fi :


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 95 19:51 GMT
From: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Cc: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 222
Message-ID: <memo.63602@cix.compulink.co.uk>

In-Reply-To: <199503141443.JAA25285@Ambassador.MPGN.COM>


  > On another topic.  Project Longbow was mentioned in Survival Margin,
  > and = we hinted about enough to convince us the is what led Strephon
  > away from = the capital.  Avery (from Arrival Vengence) appears to
  > have been born = about the time Project Longbow detected whatever
  > was approaching.  = Strephon also talks about relays and an emperess
  > when he writes about = Longbow in his notes.  Sounds like a Psionic
  > FTL communications network = to me.  Anyone else have a theory on
  > this? 

I think *everybody* has a theory on this! Hopefully, GDW will let us know
what *theirs* is one day...:-)

  > From: "Paul Marini" <pmm118@email.psu.edu> 
  >  
  > I always figured the Solomani Confederation to be balkanized -
  > planet-states - with a united military. 
  
Most states are larger than a single planet, I think, but yes.

  > How and why can they keep
  > records on every citizen? Maybe on a planetary basis - and only on
  > planets with high governments/law levels - but through the entire
  > Confederation? You're talking billions of people! 

How? Well, the states must have records on their own citizens, (for tax
purposes, if nothing else). Presumably one of the conditions of entry into
the Confederation is allowing SolSec access to these.

  > From: pd82495@wapol.gov.au (Michael Bailey) 
  >  
  > 1/  Lack of initiative amongst field commanders.  The invasion 
  > of the Imperium followed a set plan, where every commander 
  > knew exactly what he must do.  As soon as events began to 
  > deviate from this plan, commanders had to refer to their 
  > superiors for instructions.  The Imperial forces are 
  > analogous to the NATO armies, in that much greater emphasis 
  > was placed on individual initiative.  

Yes and no. Us Solomani are pretty contradictory. I agree with your point
- in fact, due to the time delays, all large scale operations *must* follow
a set plan, or they degenerate into chaos - but, according to _Solomani
& Aslan_:

"Our love of independence is our most distinctive trait...
Fundamentally, we idealise self-reliance. Our cultural heroes, for example,
typically solve their problems without seeking outside help.
Tales of such heroes teach our children the value of resourcefulness. Our
schools teach them to consider unfamiliar and untried ideas as viable
solutions to problems."

  > 2/  Political control of military commanders.  Every Solomani 
  > unit and ship had it's political officer.  His role was 
  > to monitor the reliability of Solomani soldiers and 
  > commanders.  He would have had the effect of further 
  > reducing the initiative ability of individual commanders. 

You know, it's funny, but you wouldn't *believe* how many Political
Officers have serious accidents...

  > From: Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk> 
  >  
  > Harold D. Hale writes: 
  > >  
  > > Actually, yes.  The frequency at which transponders broadcast would
  > > be a closely guarded naval secret.  Communications bands much less
  > > so. 
  >  
  > How do you keep a radio frequency jammed with signals a secret? 

Beats me.


---
Andrew Boulton

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 12:26:45 -0800 (PST)
From: John Muir Macpherson <muirmac@uclink.berkeley.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 223
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9503151120.A5989-0100000@uclink.berkeley.edu>



> Date: Tue, 14 Mar 1995 17:53:48 -0500 (EST)
> From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
> To: traveller@MPGN.COM
> Subject: FF&S questions
> 
> 
> 1) How would I armor aircraft (if I was silly enough to want to)?
>    How would I determine the AV of aircraft?

Aren't there rules for armoring individual components?  Maybe you could 
just add all the components together.  That wouldn't armor your airframe 
but it would protect everything else.  To make the plane survivable 
otherwise, I'd make sure it had plenty of excess Gs so that it can still 
get home with some damage.

> 2) Hw do I make "smart" space missiles?  Brilliant Lances (and the Basic 
>    rulebook) speak of the missile having a gunnery rating-- how do I 
>    build it?
> 3) What are the differences between controlled, semi-controlled and 
>    independent missiles? (I read the book... any additional comments?)  And

>    what are the different requirements for them?

I wish I knew.  On this subject, does anyone know what the game 
differences are btwn homing and target memory Tac missiles?

 > 4) Do sandcaster turrents require a workstation?

Yes.  The gunner has to interpose the gravitically controlled cloud of 
"sand" between the ship and the laser.  Kind of like blocking bullets 
with Wonder Woman's bracelets :-)

> >It is also used in calculating the muzzle energy which is used to
> >determine  the penetration of KE rounds. The above formula produces
> >rounds which are a  bit heavier than CPR/ETC rounds of the same bore.
> >If you don't like the  energy requirement then build a smaller bore mass
> >driver!
> 
>    Even if you reduce the bore of the mass driver, the power
> requirements are still out of proportion with what they should be.  I can
> propel a hypersonic grav tank with the energy required to power even
> a modest mass driver. 

Maybe the problem here is not that the MD design is wrong but that 
the contra-grav and HePLAR powering your hypersonic grav tank  are totally 
fantastic technologies.  Making MD guns just as fantastic is not a solution,
IMHO.

> >The above will not change the performance of a KE round propelled by
> >a  given energy input in the slightest. The energy requirement is
> >DIRECTLY  proportional to the muzzle energy of the MD which
> >determines the KE  penetration. The above change will require a larger
> >bore weapon which will  improve the performance of other ammo
> >types but will require greater storage  volume for the ammo.
> 
>    The change I proposed _does_ reduce the power requirement for
> all mass drivers.  It is infinitely preferable to use a slightly larger
bore
> size and have the energy requirement at a level that justifies the
> exsistance of the weapon.  It does little good to have a 3 cm gun capable
> of penetrating 200+ rating of armor if the power plant required to use
> it can't be hauled around by normal vehicle.

I think you're missing the point, bore size is irrelevant to the 
penetration of the weapon.  _Energy_ is all that counts.  If you make the 
round less massive it will have less energy at a given velocity and will 
thus do less damage.  If you want to make MD guns more energy efficient 
then change the required input energy formula.

> >BTW have you tried making an explosive power generation system part
> >of your  MD design. That way your MD rounds arrive with their power
> >plants attached.
> 
>    I thought about this, but doing so would defeat the design reasoning
> used behind a mass driver.  Two things I did come up with: reduce
> the energy input into the gun; and in the case of a mass driver autogun,
> reducing the rate of fire.  Doing both these things makes a mass driver
> a little more reasonable on power input, but not enough.

The best you can do to make MD guns more efficient is to have input 
energy equal muzzle energy.  If IE<ME you have a perpetual motion 
machine.  In my designs I also use EPGs and have been very satisfied with 
the results.  My 3cm TL 12 6000 m/s mass driver has a muzzle energy of 
19Mj and a required energy of 38 Mj.  I use an EPG which is (if memory 
serves) about 2.4 cubic meters with a 5 rd feed system, not only does 
this power the weapon, but it replaces the HPG as well.  The 120 rds and 
PPCs are about 1.25 m^3.  With SD KEAP rounds the penetration is 340 and 
SR is about 1500m.  I haven't tried to design a CPR gun with similar 
performance, but any differences are likely to result from the fact that 
chemical energy is simply more portable and efficient for accelerating 
rounds than electromagnetic energy.


	-- Muir Macpherson

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 95 21:50 GMT
From: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Cc: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 223
Message-ID: <memo.66188@cix.compulink.co.uk>

In-Reply-To: <199503151441.JAA04154@Ambassador.MPGN.COM>


  > B) Where would the Terran Rebels get their equipment from?  Who's
  > funding 
  > them?  The Solomani Govt. had an "understanding" with the Imperium,
  > precluding that avenue.  And the Imperium would, again, send to Terra
  > the very best anti-terrorist groups that 11,000 worlds can provide.

Even if the Solomani Govt themselves weren't supplying them arms, there
were plenty of extremist organisations who would be more than happy to do
it.

  > From: "Harold D. Hale" <hdhale@smtpwpo.dayt.tasc.com> To:
  >  
  > Paul Marini writes: 
  >  
  > > 1) Knowing human nature, there must have been some resistance
  > > movement.  There's always a resistance movement. I mean, c'mon,
  > > this is Terra - Terrans love their individuality - the 3rd. Imperium
  > > represent a threat to that individuality. And the Terran Rebels
  > > gotta have guts ... 
  >  
  > The Phoenix Project is mentioned by more than one source.  The plan
  > was to have caches of weapons, etc. placed on various worlds in the
  > Imperium which would be used by Solomani insurgents when their
  > brethern started the "Big Invasion".  Unfortunately, the Imperium
  > found out about it, and seized most of the caches.  During the round
  > up of Solomani agents that followed, a few of the caches were missed
  > and forgotten about. 

I thought the Phoenix Caches were only on Terra?


---
Andrew Boulton

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 95 13:32:00 PST
From: "Post, D L (Dan)" <PostD%HOST2@WLV.IIPO.GTEGSC.COM>
To: Traveller <traveller@MPGN.COM>
Subject: comments on striker
Message-ID: <2F675D39@MX.IIPO.GTEGSC.COM>


"Harold D. Hale" <hdhale@smtpwpo.dayt.tasc.com> writes
about Striker 2 ammo usage:
>Oops, I meant 1 SHOT per turn or per dice. The table you refer to converts
>rounds to "shots".
    Sorry, I misunderstood your question,,,,
     Your right,  striker is not clear on the subject of ammo used verses shots
fired per turn. . A couple of observations..
    1. Striker does mention several places that you can chose to fire less shots
         per round (I persume to save ammo?)
    2. Striker never seems to use shots and die rolls as the same thing.
         (maybe bad writing?)
    To reinforce how vague it is- 26.232 on munitions used in campaigns says:
     "each vehicle has a specified number of shots carried on board.  These
      are used up in combat and are not replenished until a unit recieves
      munitions." - How wonderfully clear.
      I think your original observation is correct. I doesn't make since for
      vehicles to run out of ammo in a couple of turns, 1 shot per turn
      seems to be the most straight forward.
                         Dan

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 17:25:36 -0500 (EST)
From: Mark Clark <markc@brahms.udel.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: The Death of Wisdom
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.950315164128.25400C-100000@brahms.udel.edu>

Andy, I'll be happy to read your manuscript when it's published (or even 
before, if you like - I edit a small RPG magazine as a hobby and do this 
sort of thing all the time).  I'm sure it can't be any worse than The 
Death of Wisdom.  

Frankly, I'm puzzled by what market GDW expected to sell DOW to.  I kind 
of doubt it will go beyond the group that already buys Traveller stuff 
(like me, the pathetic loser who owns nearly everything ever published 
for the game), especially since it's not by a mainstream press.  Due to 
the quality, I don't think it will motivate anyone to buy New Era products.

The major flaw I see with the book, one that I really didn't stress in 
that first review but that has become clearer to me with a few days to 
reflect on it, is that the central characters, by which I mean the ship's 
crew, are just not as interesting as the average set of characters a 
group of gamers would come up with.

I can't help but contrast DOW with the PBEM game I've been in for the 
last few months.  The setting is the same (Reformation Coalition), our 
mission is the same (go out on a mission, carrying a scientist ((i.e. 
Patron)) with us), the ship is the same (modified Empress Marava Far 
Trader with places to hide secret cargo), even the crew structure is 
similar (we have a Pre-Virus era Captain who survived in a low berth, 
played by yours truely, folks from both Aubaine and Oriflamme, and a mix 
of starship crew and ground combat dudes).  Frankly, it was weird when I 
read the the first few chapters of DOW, since it was so much like how we 
were gaming our way in the New Era.

On the other hand, our gaming group (and I think the other members of 
our game will back me up here) came up with characters that are far more 
three-dimensional than the ones in the book.  They argue much more about 
RC politics, their planetary origins matter (the Aubauni pilot plays 
Shalli music and is sort of mystical due to the time he spent with a 
Shallif amily, the Oriflammian Marine drinks too much and gets into 
fights, the Captain misses his friends and family he left behind 70 years 
ago, etc.), and they don't always get along (the purser and one of the 
gunners got into a fight within minutes of their first meeting).  
Moreover, we have characters from more than just Aubani and Oriflamme 
(five different worlds among the seven characters).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this book could have been better 
if it focused on the roleplaying aspects of Traveller rather than 
mechanics and hardware.  The novel reads like a typical gaming 
session from ten or more years ago, when lots of ex-wargamers 
played RPGs and the focus was on blowing things up.  Hell, I almost got 
nostalgic when one section of the book came up: "We go to the starport bar 
and check for rumours."  "Roll against Streetwise."  "Made it."  "The guy 
tells you ___."  Really, that part of the book was almost that bad!

Anyway, enough of this.  The only reason I was so disappointed was because 
the Dark Conspiracy trilogy was so good (especially the first volume - 
read it even if you have no interest in the game system, it's that good), 
and I thought GDW would do as well this time.  Maybe Andy is right - 
maybe GDW just couldn't afford a better writer.


Mark "I wish I weren't adicted to this stupid game" Clark

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 17:30:44 -0500
From: "Harold D. Hale" <hdhale@smtpwpo.dayt.tasc.com>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER Digest 223
Message-ID: <sf67240d.070@smtpwpo.dayt.tasc.com>

Alvin Plummer says:

>Not Exactly... there is a system (Samquis?) in Antares sector, inhabited by
>a civilization of self-repairing robots at TL 17, which is the 
highest-known
>TL in Imperial Space (or anywhere else, excepting  Grandfather's little
>hideout over Lair).

   I wonder what the Samquis think about the Virus.  Doesn#t the #Black Curtain#
cover the region they live in?  I wonder if they had something to do with...

   I thought Grandfather#s little hideout was in the Spinward Marches.
That#s where #Secret of the Ancients# said it was anyway.

He also says about the Terran wilderness:

>My favourate place of "Terran Wilderness" would either be undersea or
>Antartica (which does have a few cities, but not too many).

   Antarctica would be a bit on the nippy side (I do not subscribe to the
DGP rubbish about melted polar caps--the discovery of fusion power
among other things in the early to mid-21st century would have
prevented such a thing from occurring).  Shackelton is located down
there, however, so it would be possible.

   Undersea operations would be very complicated.  Remember, the
Dolphins, _like_ the Solomani, and there are quite a few of them
who would have no trouble pulling some spy details against you
(what are you going to do? Shoot every dolphin that swims by your
hideout?).  There are other considerations as well, which I don#t have
time for at the moment....

Regarding Archduke Gokhman:

>A very nice bio.  Just make sure that he watches out for any ships from
 >Daibei -or the Terran Empire...

   Empire?  I have no knowledge of an empire sir...there is a republic, but
more on that later....   :)

   Gokhman is responsible for saving the Imperium#s rear in the Rim and
for placing Dingir in a position to survive the Collapse.  You might call him
the Father of His Country, but I understand that title has already been
copyrighted by some guy named Washington or something like that.


Andy Lilly writes about the DoW book:

<Snip>

Please Andy, tell us how you really feel.  I sense you are holding
something back.    :)


Alvin Plummer writes:

>It's very likely that the Imperium send it's best, most able nobles to 
>govern Terra.  This implies that the Imperium didn't treat Terra like 
>the British treated Ireland, but instead did it's best to address Terran
>concern's within the Imperial framework.

   Staying with the British analogy, the Imperium probably treated it
more like India, where a good number of Oxford and Cambridge types
went to cut their teeth.

>>I always figured the Solomani Confederation to be balkanized -
>>planet-states -with a united military. How and why can they keep records
>>on every citizen? Maybe on a planetary basis -and only on planets with
>>high governments/law levels -but through the entire Confederation?
>>You're talking billions of people!
>
>You're quite correct.

   Not quite.  It would be a simple matter to make conducting a census of
the population which would be forwarded to the Confederation capital
mandatory for membership in the Confederation.  The data collected
would vary in comprehensiveness depending on the tech level of the
world.  SolSec probably send out people to assist low tech worlds in
conducting what it considered to be a #proper# census.  Worlds that
attempted to withhold certain information would be subject to 
Confederation sanctions--and in any event Solsec would have its
covert operatives get the information one way or another.

>The Imperium had a much stronger basis for totalitarianism than the
>Solomani ever had: it's just that it was based on Noble Rule, not Solomani
>Ideology, so the politically persecuted could always move elsewhere
------- cut here --------



>(if they had enough money, and didn't attack Noble Ideology).  However,
>note  that there were no 'intervening' levels of sovergin governments;
>especially in interstellar relations, Imperial Law was the Only Law.

   I would argue that they were both open to the same levels of abuse,
in much the same way that the Russian Empire and the USSR were--
one made no pretense about being representative of the people, while
the other did--both were capable of being equally brutal under the right
circumstances.

>Moreover, the Nobility was generally educated in "the obligations of
>nobility", at least until 1100's where the nobility forgot obligations,  and
>instead focused on expanding it's power.  With predictable results.

   The #Obligations of Nobility# was probably only given lip service long
before the 1100#s--it would make no sense that the Imperial nobility
would become so corrupted in just a generation.


PEDRO writes regarding #Happy Endings#:

>Whilst the _original_  reference  to  IRIS  was  in  a
>Challenge variant it was also mentioned in 'Survival Margin'  in  a
>number of Stephon's diary entries.  But also from  this  source  it
>appears that IRIS wasn't everything it was claiming to  be (perhaps
>it _was_ the Brotherhood of Varian) hence the inclusion of the word
>'legitimise' in my original post.

   The politically correct answer is that IRIS was a variant and should
be treated as such.  That is not my answer but Dave Nilsen#s.  He
indicated to me that IRIS should never have been mentioned in the
context of the real storyline, and those responsible did so with out his
approval.  The discussion of IRIS in #Survival Margin# was a #creative
fig leaf# (my words, NOT Dave#s).  I thought my story of how they were
in actuality the Brotherhood of Varian made a nice addition to the
#fig leaf#, and tied up another loose plot end at the same time.  Maybe
GDW will see fit to use it when they start going back to give better
historical contexts to the current plotline, but for now it#s all pretty much
good mental gymnastics and nothing more.  Like they say, #if it works
in your local campaign, do it#.

>Norris  is  too  'Denebiocentric'  a  choice.   Remember  that  the
>Imperial nobility is a hereditary institution.  Probably  the  most
>acceptable  choice  would   be   Margaret.   She   represents   the
>_conservative_ wishes of  the  central  Imperium,  and  she  has  a
>hereditary claim, ... with Strephon's endorsement  the  Moot  would
>probably  accept  her.   Norris,  whilst  being  the  _intelligent_
>choice, would be viewed by many  as  someone  from  the  periphery,
>unskilled  in  the  etiquette  of  high court!

   Norris is a perfect choice because he IS an outsider, not in spite
of it.  Being closely associated with the Imperial court would actually
have been a strike against you in the opinion of the majority of Imperial 
citizens and the lesser nobility (who would have had great influence in
choosing the next emperor).  In the ideal scenario, Margaret divorces her
husband and marries Norris (I think they were fairly close in age,
anyway).

   They then become joint rulers of the Imperium, and represent an
excellent combination dynamic, innovative leadership and smarts
about the complexities and intricacies involved with running an 11,000
world empire.


Harold


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 23:28:35 -0500
From: MDURRAN@aol.com
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Radio freqs
Message-ID: <950315232722_50980003@aol.com>

>>How do you keep a radio frequency jammed with signals a secret?

>The same way that every military organization today does. 

Would you care to explain how that is kept a secret?  Any good scanner can
find your nieghbors cordless telephone, or the cell phone in a car 3 blocks
away.  If it's broadcasting it's not a secret to anybody with a scanner
(anything more than a few seconds will give away your postion)!  That's why
there is a thing call Radio listening silence.

ANNEX G (COMMUNICATION) TO 1-4 CAV TACSOP

4. Radio Procedures
 A. Radio nets will be operated IAW current SOI, except that static/fixed
call signs will be used on secure nets only. Troops and companies will use
COLOR call signs on internal nets.
 B. Radio operators will:
  (1) Use lowest power setting possible.
  (2) Do not perform excess radio checks.If possible flip band selector
switch and conduct your radio check on that frequency.
  (3) Use abbreviated call signs once contact has been established.
  (4) Limit transmission time to 9 second burst.
  (5) Erect OE-254 antennas when stationary for more than 30 minutes.
  (6) Authenticate in a timely manner, on non-secure nets only.
  (7) Authenticate all orders or other directives and requests for
information from unknown sources.
  (8) Listen before transmitting to avoid interference with other stations.

9. Signal Variables: 
 A. Challenge and password, frequencies, variables, and static callsigns,
 will change at 2400 hours local.
 B. Variable update will be conducted using one of the following methods:
  (1) CESO will deliver to subordinate units.
  (2) Cdr's will receive new variable at Command and Staff meeting
  (3) Over the air waves

10. Cryptonetting (secure equipment):
 A. Variable Cycle:
  1. Variables good for seven days.
  2. Variables are loaded into KY-57 VINSONs no earlier than 24 hours before
variable change.
 B. Variables Issue: Coordination for new codes will be made 2 days before
the end of the current crypto period between SIGO and unit COMSEC
representative.

14. HUSH   - Levels of security:
       HUSH 1 - Radio listening silence.
       HUSH 2 - Radio listening silence with directed              reporting.
       HUSH 3 - Silence imposed until contact with the            enemy.

BTW I seen to remember that warships had a variable transponder in them, this
would be very useful to a pirate ship.  Example See Starship Operators Manual
page 20. Military vessels can select a varity from none to full, and any ship
can always turn that pesky thing off!

BTW challenge and password can confirm idenity.  Example Arrival Vengeance pg
24 Argon Blue Codes-a one use ID code system.


------------------------------

Date: Thu, 16 Mar 1995 10:18:36 +0100 (MET)
From: Hans Rancke-Madsen <rancke@diku.dk>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Transponders
Message-ID: <199503160918.KAA15830@embla.diku.dk>

Well, I've dug out my copy of "Survival Margin" and had a look at the
official description of the Deyo transponder chips.

Harold D. Hale writes:
>Hans Rancke writes once again about transponders:
> 
>>How do you keep a radio frequency jammed with signals a secret?
>
>    The same way that every military organization today does. 

And how do they do that? You can't keep something as detectable as a radio 
signal secret for the luffa Mike! Anyway, the issue is moot because Deyo 
chips communicate between each other on any empty channel they can find 
(They are really going to be busy in systems with a few thousand ships 
in-system at the same time ;-).

>>>Fake someone out by having a merchant vessel in your hold?  Perhaps
>>>in wartime.  It would probably work too, the first few times. 
>>>Eventually the  bad guys would figure out what you were up to and
>>>blow you out of space.
>>
>>Together with every legitimate merchant they own? Wonderful.
> 
>   I'm assuming you're implying they'd start blowing up their own
>merchant vessels out of fear that they might be bad guys.  

Yes indeed.

>Presumably before you issued any "shoot to kill" orders, you'd change 
>your merchant transponder frequencies.

No you don't, because you don't control the frequencies the chips use. What
you do is ask your chip what the other chip says, and wether your chip
believes the other chip is untampered with.

>>But a code provide just as much security as a transponder. 
> 
>    Which means a coded transponder would be even more effective
>than either one alone.

The transponders aren't coded. What they (supposedly) are is tamperproof. 
That means that if the ship that just jumped in claims to be the Free
Trader "Fooled You" then it IS the Free Trader "Fooled You". Who is flying
the ship and what their intentions are is not guaranteed.

Incidentally, GDW did a good job with the Deyo chips in the technical
sense. As they are described they do seem impossible to tamper with.
Where I believe they fall down is to imagine that the chips would not
eventually be faked. You'd need some breeder chips and some trainer chips. 
Both of these MUST be present at every starport that install new 
transponders, ie all systems with Class A and B starports. That's several 
thousand in the Imperium. What do you think the chances are that over a 
period of 30 years at least one corruptable individual would have access 
to these chips?

>>Two things: Everyone knows what's inside one of those black boxes.
> 
>   Yes, and everyone would know what was inside the Imperium's blackboxes.  

No, they would only know what the Imperium _claimed_ was inside them. That's
the point I've tried to make. The official story is based on the premise
that the neighbours would actually believe them. I can't believe they would.

>No one said that just because they incorporate revolutionary new technology 
>would mean that no one would be allowed to look inside.  

Noone except GDW.

>Any government that _did not_ want to look inside would have to be gullible 
>as hell.

How right you are. Yet "Survival Margin" claims that the Imperium exported
a lot of these circuits, neatly sealed in their tamperproof casings, to many
"Aslan, Vargr, Zhodani, Darrian, Sword World, and Solomani" governments. Now,
I'll conceed that the Darrians, Sword Worlds and those Aslan and Vargr states
close to the Imperium propably was too weak to defend against the Imperial
requirenments by imposing trade restrictions. The same does not apply to the
Zhodani or the Solomani. Nor the K'Kree or the Hivers who are also claimed
to have adopted the system.

> No one said that other governments would not be allowed to make their own--

Yes, GDW did.

>Again, it would be unreasonable for the Imperium to hand out such devices
>and expect no one to pry them open.  

But that's just what the Imperium is supposed to have done. The whole point
in encasing the chips in a tamperproof casing is to prevent anyone from
prying them open.
 
>>You mean the Imperium told all its neighbours how to make those
>>things? In that case they also learned how to fake them. Kinda ruins
>>the whole idea, dosen't it? Where does it say that they did so, btw?
> 
>   I think you misunderstand the whole purpose of an "interstellar"
>transponder standard.  The purpose is not to gain a military advantage,
>your enemies would see through the ruse--the idea is to make it easier
>for your spacecraft to visit their territory and their space craft to
>visit your territory.  

But the Deyo chips are not a transponder standard. They are small eletronic
devices produced by the Imperium military and enclosed in a tamperproof
casing which the Imperium delivered to their neighbours with instruction
of how to connect to your main computer and ship broadcasting equipment.
Guaranteed by the Imperium not to contain any secret surprises ("Hey,
would we lie to you?"). Sure.

>He also says about Terra and the Solomani:
> 
>>Several generations ago. They would be Home-boys (;-) by now.
> 
>   Perhaps subconciously, but don't tell them that.  Remember, Home was
>picked because of its similarity to Terra...
>[...]
>I seem to recall a people in Terran history who continued to believe they 
>would regain control of their homeland one day even after centuries of 
>occupation and exile...humm...I wonder who they could have been?  ;)  Of 
>course I would never compare the Solomani to the Jews, but the circumstances
>were similar.

The circumstances are not similar. The whole reason for the survival of
the Jews as a seperate identity up through the Middle Ages was that they
were not allowed by their oh-so-christian neighbours to integrate. As a
counterexample I can cite scores of tribes who were forcibly expelled
from their ancestral lands, moved somewhere else, settled down, and became
Somewherelsians. You don't find many Englishmen swearing one day to return
to their ancestral Russian steppes, do you?

The people of Home have their own T-prime planet to live on. Why the hell
should they be interested in going back to Terra. Especially the leaders,
who have access to the best the rich, unspoiled Home can provide.

>>It hasn't been long enough for a Taiwan-born generation to assume
>>control of Taiwan. When that happens they may well drop their claim.
> 
>   Someone better tell the ruling party of Taiwan that--while native
>peoples on Taiwan and some ethnic Chinese have come to believe that
>the island should declare its independence, these people are in the
>minority and are in no danger of coming to power anytime soon.

No, I would imagine that it will take about another generation.


      Hans Rancke
University of Copenhagen
     rancke@diku.dk
------------
        "The referee should determine the nature of subsequent
         events based on the individual situation."
                                _76 Patrons_, p. 8

------------------------------

End of TRAVELLER Digest 224
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