Re: [FT] Sensors and Sensibility(long)

On Jun 26, aebrain@austarmetro.com.au wrote:
> 
> These rules are simpler to play with than they are to
> describe. Which is good, because they're pretty long.

     They do indeed look easy enough for play. I don't like the 
passive detection rules for 'accuracy reasons' (they seem to presume 
sensors will get worse by 2183, although that may be a result of 
different scales). I would probably use the identification rules 
(although I'd include the "maximum weapons range" modification 
suggested), but not the passive detection. I would also add mass to 
detection if it gives acceleration, but that's a quibble.

> Brain's Basic Sensors - an immodest proposal.
> 
> DETECTION:
> 
> Detection gives the following information about the
> target: Position, Direction of movement, and acceleration.
> ("Thrust 2", or "Fighter Move 18" for example - if fighters
> are escorting or moving in close formation (1") with ships,
> the detector receives the ship's acceleration not the fighters.)
> 
> Passive Detection:
> =================
> Any target that Operates Civilian Active Search sensors,
> Military Active Search Sensors, or ADAF is detected at a
> range of 1000** by passive sensors. 
> 
> The opponent must be told which of the sensor types above is
> operating. Note that a target using Military Active Search
> sensors may deliberately use them at low power, in which case
> they are detected (and detect - see below) as if they were
> Civilian Active Search sensors. FCs that are allocated against
> the detecting vessel are themselves detected at a range of 2000***.
> 
> Weapons are detected at a range of ( their Max Range x 10).
> The opponent must be told exactly which weapon type is
> operating, and which mode ( for example, Pulsar-C  not
> just Pulsar ). PDS's are therefore detectable at 60", but
> note that if an ADAF is operating, that will be detectable a
> lot further!
> 
> Weapons and FCs that cause detection reveal the nationality
> of the ship's builder (not neccessarily the owner...)
> 
> A ship jumping or emerging from jump is detectable at a range
> of Mass x 100,000****
> 
> PS: * indicates a "rubbery figure" whose meaning is given
> below.
> * - A long way in any event, from a tactical viewpoint - greater
> than any weapon range.
> ** - A very long way - effectively infinite from a tactical
> viewpoint, but not so when setting up a battle.
> *** - A very, very, very long way indeed. But not interplanetary.
> **** - Interplanetary distances - Light minutes. The idea
> is that a big ship jumping in anywhere with Jupiter's orbit should
> be detected from Earth, but a small one near Pluto not.

     I would also screw around a bit with these categories (maybe one 
or two orders of magnitude), but not much else.

Good rules.