Question on Sensor effectiveness

[AnotherDilbert]

Audio is but one industry there are many others that still use Vacuum Tubes including modern medical equipment in fact they are used in MIRs, CT X-Rays. The military uses them quite a bit since they are resistant to EMPs.

How many valves are made each year, compared to how many transistors, and how much do they cost.

Valves are a very expensive niche...

 

[MasterGwydion]

To bring this all back around to the original question, I posted this position back to the person on Reddit. They pointed me to this High Guard (Update 2022) page 14:

View attachment 5662View attachment 5663

My first point, this rule should have also been repeated on page 77.

If you are in a low TL ship and you get hunted by a high TL stealth ship, you are hooped.

In the example he gave, the TL-10 freighter, trying to lock on to a TL15 Harrier attacking it would be at DM -11 (-5 for TL difference and -6 for Advanced Stealth) to lock on.

That makes stealth ships even more powerful than I thought they were.

- Kerry

Dammit! I have been doing it wrong! Thank you for finding that rule.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

In the example he gave, the TL-10 freighter, trying to lock on to a TL15 Harrier attacking it would be at DM -11 (-5 for TL difference and -6 for Advanced Stealth) to lock on.

That makes stealth ships even more powerful than I thought they were.

Quite, until you reverse the TL difference...

High tech is a massive advantage, as it should be.

 

[tytalan]

How many valves are made each year, compared to how many transistors, and how much do they cost.

Valves are a very expensive niche...

No Vacuum Tubs fit a different but large market they are not niche. Transistors and microchips are great for low power applications which is why they are dominant in homes and small businesses but they do not handle adverse environments or high power uses. Just because you don’t see them in your home doesn’t mean they are not commonly used. You can’t use transistors for laser cutters, MIRs, CT Scans they can’t handle the power. Look at the extremes that we go to keep computers cool and they are low power applications any thing that requires significant power is using vacuum tubes. So not niche just not something your going to see in your home or other low power environment.

Did you even bother to read the last article here it is again.

Are Vacuum Tubes Still Used (& What Are They Used for)?

Are vacuum tubes still used in this day & age, & if so, what are vacuum tubes used for? We explain 12 vacuum tube uses (& yes, vacuum tubes are still made)

pentalabs.com

 

[Terry Mixon]

Dammit! I have been doing it wrong! Thank you for finding that rule.

I hope they consolidate the sensor rules in the upcoming High Guard Update.

 

[Sageryne]

Dammit! I have been doing it wrong! Thank you for finding that rule.

Thanks go to Swiftdraw on Reddit:

No worries! Our group uses Mongoose’s High Guard 2022 Update for ship construction and modification. The entry on stealth armor in High Guard pg.14 does indeed specifically state “bunch of words explaining stealth… applying a negative DM to Electronic [sensor] checks to detect or lock on to the ship (see stealth table.) Apply an additional DM-1 for every Tech Level the ship is higher than the sensors trying to locate it.”

So my interpretation is as follows: The “Superior Stealth” on the Harrier’s entry isn’t really explained, but the cost matches High Guard’s “Advance Stealth”, so DM-6. Additionally, per the entry in High Guard which specifies ship’s TL and not the stealth system’s, the Harrier TL15 is 5 over the Hefry’s TL 10 Military Grade sensors. Thus it is granted an additional DM-5 to the coating’s DN-6 for a total of DM-11. The Harrier also does get a +5 to detect the Hefry per the Sensor and Stealth entry on pages 76-78.

If I have misinterpreted or missed a spot in the rules, I would love to know! I only started refereeing in June and have been playing Mongoose Traveller for only about 2 years. It is a fun system and a nice break from the usual d20 or the old FFG Star Wars/GENSYS stuff!

Edit: I would like to add that the Harrier example I am using is assuming a fully repaired and maintained ship.

Being a new to Traveller, he read things more closely than I did.

 

[Condottiere]

I recall someone telling me that vacuum tubes aren't affected by an electromagnetic pulse.

 

[swordtart]

Yet that is the rule...

Don't build Scouts at TL-15 military yards, build them at smaller TL-12 yard to keep them going.



Would it be easier to build a steam engine at TL-5 or TL-8?
Now at TL-8 we have no factories building standard steam engines, so steam engines become expensive one-offs. A TL-8 diesel engine on the other hand can be supplied quickly and cheaply.

Today we build TL-8 ships, not ironclads or wooden sailships...

It would be easier to build a steam engine now and more efficient. They are expensive one-offs because there is no demand for them other than as hobby projects rather than because we have forgotten how to build a steam engine factory.

That is not true of a TL12 scout. They are still being built to the TL12 designs as there is still a demand. A TL15 factory should have access to more effective automation and robot assembly.

You only suffer the Retrotech parts issue if you are applying the Retrotech rules and these do not apply to ship components. A TL12 power plant made in a TL15 factory to TL12 designs costs exactly the same as one made at a TL12 facility and either can be maintained perfectly well at a TL12 repair facility.

It might make economic sense to import the lower TL components but only if you demand for TL15 starships is unsaturated. If you are not overworked you make as much money building a the basic hull regardless of the TL.

EDIT:
I posted this late it seems many of these points have already been made. We'll have to agree to disagree, as this is all now opinion rather than a rules based discussion.