Has anyone given any thought to how FLT communications would work? I didn't see anything in the rules about it.
In Star Trek, they have Subspace Radio. But as we all know from various episodes (TOS ones anyway), subspace radio transmissions still take time to get from the transmitter to the reciever. They are also subject to interference by natural phenomena and jamming. In some episodes, record bouys are referred to, which are dropped containing important data in the hops that they will be picked up at a future time.
So, taking all this into account, here's what I'm thinking....
Warp Transmissions
Transmissions can be sent at FTL speeds by ships and installations. The maximum speed for such transmissions is 15 light years per day. It costs 1 EU per ly per day at the moment of transmission. For example, a ship sending a mission update to Space Fleet HQ transmitting at a speed of 3ly per day would cost the ship 3 EUs.
Obviously, sending high-speed transmissions can be costly in energy, so maximum speed transmissions are usually reserved for starbases and larger ships. Another alternative that ship captains have is a message bouy. These can be loaded with information and dropped for free - no EU cost.
I haven't come up with specific rules yet about how warp transmissions are effected by natural phenomena and jamming yet.
What do you think?