Cannot get an antenna working for Minimus

[Hummingbird Aerospace]

So in my early science mode with I flew to Minimus and my antenna couldn't handle the range. My rocket is similar to the one seen here... but I added on a HG-55 high gain antenna for good measure, and once I passed the Mun, it stopped working. Could someone help me?

 

[Rocket In My Pocket]

Most likely the Mun is between you and Kerbin now, blocking line of sight, and thus the signal.

This is why you need relay satellites in Munar orbit to bounce the signal off of.

[4x4cheesecake]

It is also possible that Kerbin itself blocks the signal, depending on your difficulty settings. If you don't use the extra groundstations, you will also need some relays around Kerbin so the signal will always be able to reach the KSC.

Assuming you are not running out of (electric-) power, the antenna is capable to cover the distance to minmus, even if your tracking station is still level 1.

[Hummingbird Aerospace]

Ahhh, yes. So the HG-55 can relay too? Thank you for helping me with this, @Rocket In My Pocket and @4x4cheesecake. I forgot about the factor of the Mun blocking the signal or the KSC not being on the right side.

Edited July 3, 2018 by Hummingbird Aerospace

[Rocket In My Pocket]

15 minutes ago, Hummingbird Aerospace said:

Ahhh, yes. So the HG-55 can relay too? Thank you for helping me with this, @Rocket In My Pocket and @4x4cheesecake. I forgot about the factor of the Mun blocking the signal or the KSC not being on the right side.

Not a problem, glad to help!

Yes, the HG-5 is relay capable. The HG-55 however is not, confusing I know.

https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/HG-5_High_Gain_Antenna

https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Communotron_HG-55

That said, a direct antenna can still send a signal that other relay capable antennas can relay. So if you had relay satellites in place, the HG-55 could bounce it's signal off of them.

Edited July 3, 2018 by Rocket In My Pocket

[Hummingbird Aerospace]

Just now, Rocket In My Pocket said:

 

Yes, the HG-5 is relay capable. The HG-55 however is not, confusing I know.

 

It says in the part description "can handle short range relays".  Im confused. Anyway, thanks for the help.

[Rocket In My Pocket]

36 minutes ago, Hummingbird Aerospace said:

It says in the part description "can handle short range relays".  Im confused. Anyway, thanks for the help.

The HG-5 and the HG-55 are two different parts.

The HG-5 is an early game relay capable antenna.

The HG-55 is a mid-late game direct antenna.

[Duck McFuddle]

You are probably being blocked by the Mun, but if not them make sure your antennae is extended. The HG-55 can look extended when it's not, and it is easy to overlook. Many probe missions of mine have gone out of control thanks to a bad connection. If you want a perfect signal all the time then throw some relay satellites up in a high Kerbin orbit for future missions to the Mun or Minmus. If your mission is manned, then it's fine if you go out of touch with the KSC for a little bit because you still have crew control. I usually don't worry about it.

[Hummingbird Aerospace]

Ok, i did some stuff and realised you can store as many experiments as you want inside a command pod, so there is no need to have an aentenna! I just realised this and it’s much simpler than having an aentenna. Thanks for the help!

[Kryxal]

For later use, though, upgrading your tracking station boosts the effective range of all antennae to KSC.  Maximum range between two points depends on the signal strength at both ends.