Extending comms range

Brian Paone · Post by **Brian Paone** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 6:51 pm

Hi! I'm a newbie who was only recently made aware of the Evochron universe. Gotta say I'm lovin' it! I was wondering, though, if there were a way I can increase my ship's comm range from 1k to around 2.5k or so - I find that with the comms window open, I'm flying a bit blind and more often than not tend to rear-end whoever I'm talking to. XD

So, is there a way I can mod the game to increase comms range, or is there some kind of equipment I can buy and fit to extend comms range? If not, no worries - this is literally the biggest issue I have with this game, and if that's the biggest issue I have I think I'll survive.

Thanks for putting up with me!

Post by **Vice** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:46 pm

There are some functional dependencies related to the close trade distance. But there are ways to make it easier and minimize shield collisions. If you form up on the ship before sending a trade request, you'll generally stay close enough to trade and avoid collisions from most angles. You can also just speed match ('M' key) to coast to a stop when they do after opening the trade console.

Brian Paone · Post by **Brian Paone** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:45 pm

Got it, thanks a bunch! :-)

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:56 am

I'll give you a tip that can save you a lot of time.
This is what I do in EM but it should work in EL also.
FInd a Jump Gate that seems to have a good amount of traffice around it and 'park' you ship bit in front of the gate at a position that the AI come out of the gate and fly over you and just ahead and watch their range. Get in a position that they fly lest than 1000m of you anc when you see one (in you radar) come out of the gate then press R to target the closest ship (which it should be) and then just press or click Trade. That will give you pleny of time usually to initiate a Request Info and you won't have to try to trail them and keep in position.
In EM if they are interested in a trade they will often reverse course and come within a few hundred meters of you until you do the trade or break it off or they get tired of waiting.

Of course if you'r just out flying around then you'll just have to maneuver into position to do trades as Vice said - but I don't mess with Match Speed myself - I generally find it more a hinderance than a help and it can mess you up sometimes if you turn in on by mistake or forget to turn it off.

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 5:20 am

(M)atch speed does come in handy during spy contracts, though.

xtom · Post by **xtom** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 9:02 pm

Would be nice to have comms range extended even 500 or 1000 meters more.

Post by **Marvin** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:28 pm

It really isn't a "communications" range. It's used mostly for trade, for refueling, and for transfer of a pilot, in MP, from one ship to another ship's turret gun. Wouldn't it seem a bit unrealistic if you could do those things from 1,500 or 2,000 meters away?

xtom · Post by **xtom** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 12:45 am

Yes I didn't think of it like that. It's just the message it gives makes it seem like you can't communicate with the ship. Perhaps allow comms at higher range to ask for info and to see cargo but for actual transfer actions the ship could request you come closer. I can see how this would complicate things more than it might be worth though.

Post by **Marvin** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 4:04 am

Most of the communication is on the down low. Not the kind of stuff you want broadcast around the sector. Getting up close and personal might make the AI feel more like talking.