Hi Alex,

> On 08/22/2020 9:12 AM Alex Goodwin <xxxxxx@multitel.com.au> wrote:
>
>
> On 23/8/20 1:35 am, Thomas RUX wrote:
> > <snip>
> > I agree that we view the level of detail that the term "survey" covers differently. Das Boote's sensors are receiving every bit of information about the target system within in design specification. The ship's computer is using software to interpret the gathered information and saving it for immediate and future review. During the immediate review the information that is most important is there any place to refuel, repair, and do maintenance. This is, in my opinion, a survey even though a majority of the information gathered is ignored.
>
> There we will have to agree to disagree - for consistency with prior
> PA:VT use, I've ruled (and used) that the previous "take" had already
> been fully exploited in the corresponding scan.  I didn't bother coming
> up with reasons, and no one asked.
>
> If you want more data above and beyond that previous scan, you need to
> go take another look-see (although even a low-grade fool will use the
> prior sensor take to guide their next search(es) ).

My USN rating was Sonar Technician Submarines and my passive sonar equipment received al the sound energy in the water. On the stack I would be listening to the noises trying to detect anything that sounded like a ship's screw/propeller and looking at the Bearing Time Record (BTR) that used supposedly gun powder impregnated paper to record information to see if there was a line indicating a noise that was probably below my hearing as a back-up. We had three analysis systems that were being watched for signals that the operators and the passive systems did not detect. Actually, we had four but the last one was used to refine sound characteristics. Unfortunately, all my boats were built in the 1960s so we only had the BTR paper, reel to reel tapes, logs, and the a similarly impregnated paper from the fourth analysis system as permanent records.

A spaceship's or starship's passive sensors are gathering all sorts of energy that I would think is processed through the ship's computer using a software package as well as storing the raw data. In the case of Da Boote the search parameters would be setup to determine any sources of fuel. Once in a system the sensors are still collecting information that may or may not be analyzed at the time.

>
> > <snip>
> >
> >> As for not being able to find a "system contents table" in the MGT2
> >> core, you're not alone.
> > What a relief to know that I have not simply overlooked the table. Thank you for the information.
> Glad you said that.  If you said "going crazy" or the like, I may not
> have been as much help. :)

I am a bit crazy since I volunteered to serve on a ship that purposely sank itself and resurfaced at least one more time than it sank. ;-)

> > <snip>
> > I agree that some place holder should be used to note that the target system has, if there is an indication of jump drive use, an unclassified type of port. I can get behind using a question mark "?". If there is no indication of jump drive use then by MgT Core Rule Book the designation code is X.
> >
> > In CT, MT, and TNE also have expanded/enhanced system generation systems that cover spaceports in addition to starports.
> >
> > Per the Traveller back story the Vilani were active at Bernard's Star. Scanning the Sol system would not have identified any starports since there where no jump drives being used. There where spaceports on the ground and in orbit. Under MgT rules, which does not appear to have spaceports, the code in my opinion would be "X".
> >
> > Thank you for the clarification and discussion.
> >
> > Tom Rux
>
>
> Looks like, needing to RTFM, I sit corrected.  As T5 is the most recent
> Word of Miller, what does that say?

T5 PDF Core Book 3 Worlds and Adventures p. 24 WorldGen Basics appears to me has a similar table as the one in CT LBB 3. Type X: Quality None; Yards blank space; Repairs No; Downport No; High Port blank space; Bases No Bases.

T5 PDF Core Book 3 Worlds and Adventures p. 24 Fuel at Starports and Spaceports Table has a note for Starports Types E** and X** and Spaceports H** and Y**. The note is **Unrefined may be available as local environmental water or ice: Raw Fuel (Water) from oceans. Raw Fuel (Ice) from Ice Caps or Snowpack, Ice Asteroids or Comets. Raw Fuel (Gas) from Gas Giants.

Tom Rux