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Intra-ship communication between sections

Internal speakers monitor vocal communications and their context. Key words it listens for are;

• "(Own name)" - The person doing the address to another station.
• "to (another name or station)" - this indicates the routed pathway for the message. This will Open a channel between speaker and recipient.
• "Out" - In context the computer will then close the relay. If no vocal cue is given and the computer determines that 10 seconds has gone by without relevant information being communicated by either party the computer will automatically shut down the relay.

Personal Com pin communications

The Federation Com pin incorporates a tiny subspace receiver array powered by a two week battery. On a starship they are over ridden by the intra-ship communications system, but in times of intra-ship communications failure, they will still operate. Activation relies on the pressure of the owners finger, and each pin is calibrated to respond only to the dermal imprint, and bio-electric profile of it's owner. Active range is only 500 km. Since orbiting vessels tend to be at a height of 40,000 km they are required to be actively scanning for comm signals for them to be detected.

Ship to ground communications

Although Starfleet prefers to use subspace communications that combine visual and audible transmissions and may range from 38,000 to 60,000 km, many of the cultures they encounter are not as advanced, and so a vessel must be able to monitor even simple radio frequencies. Given the nature of the Species the USS Sutherland was expected to encounter, and that even the close Federation outposts have outdated equipment, this aspect of the ship’s Sensors needed to be state of the art. If it whispers, the Sutherland will hear it.

Ship to Ship communications

The range between ships or Starbases can often be up tens of light years away. Standard process of communications is to "Open hailing frequencies" or "Open a channel". This is done by broadcasting a discrete packet of information containing vessel identification, preferred frequency, and any other pertinent information. The target responds accordingly. Communications tend to be directed to the Command personnel, but Security may patch lower communications through to junior officers and Civilians at their discretion. When in contact with a Starbase a great deal of secondary information is exchanged. Time signatures are checked and corrected, logs are down loaded, new orders updated, and so forth.

Subspace communications

The maximum range for subspace communication is 22.65 light years. Throughout Federation space are laid subspace Relay Beacons, who’s task it is to receive, amplify, and re-transmit messages, much like an orbiting communications satellite does for a planet. In addition to these are Relay Stations, which are generally manned by two people. They monitor communications and act as a form of call out repair man. Their station doubles as a redundant beacon for those around it. It was the task of the USS Sutherland to construct and plant these Relay Beacons and Relay Stations every 20 light years in the New Territories. While the USS Explorer is deep in Klingons Space it will have to rely on the somewhat antiquated Klingons Relays. This has the added disadvantage that all communications to Starfleet can be monitored by the Klingons.

Universal Translator

This device is built into all Federation communicators, even Com pins, but many non Federation worlds do not use them. In effect it seem to the observer that the entire universe speaks their tongue. It is a common misconception that a Translator can automatically change any language into one understood by the listener. In fact a sample of the language must be dissected and a "language matrix" discerned. This is a mathematical pattern that can be used to digest any more of the language the system encounters. As such an entirely new Species may not be understandable at all at least for a few minutes, until two speakers have had a chance to talk for some time. Some new Species have language patterns that are very similar to ones already encountered and this accelerates the process markedly. Even so the Universal translators are not entirely reliable and may not be used in diplomatic talk till months of study in a language has been done. The Klingons do not use them but train their senior officers to speak the languages of most other empires. A phrase may not have a direct translation or the speaker may be making a point in another language. This explains why the Nausicans can complain about the lack of "Grumba" in Starfleet, Klingons drink "Raktajino", and Picard can say things are "Merde".

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