Mk1 Lander Can ignoring relays literally in front of it?

[asaurus1]

Hi, I am relatively new to KSP and am trying to understand the CommNet system. I have a Science Orbiter and Lander in orbit around minmus currently, and am trying to fly a Scientist down in the lander to get science from multiple biomes (hence the need for a scientist not a pilot). The science orbiter has a strong connection to Kerbin thru its 2x Communitron DTS-M1 antennae, as shown in the map view here:

However, when I put my scientist in my lander (with a Mk1 Lander Can) and separate the docking ports I suddenly lose the ability to create maneuver nodes (it says "Control Locked"). Despite the fact that the lander is directly in front of the relay antennas on the mothership, it doesn't seem to want to use them to talk to the DSN:

A 5k antenna to a 2G antenna should be sufficient to form a link between the two vessels but either it's not working as it should (unlikely) or I don't understand how the CommNet fully works yet (much more likely).

[bewing]

Sorry, but a DTS-M1 is not a relay antenna. The only relay antennas are the HG-5, and the antennas that start with the letters RA-xx.

In the editor, when you are building your ship, the description of each antenna will say whether it's a relay antenna or not.

One other thing to note is that relay antennas do not "combine" with the standard direct antennas. So having some of each type on your ship does you no good.

 

Edited February 20, 2019 by bewing

[James Kerman]

I can't see if you have one in the image but you will also need a direct antenna on the lander itself to connect through to the relay.

[asaurus1]

That would...explain a lot. Like why most of my relay satellites aren't working like relay satellites.

Guess I'm doing this the old fashion way. Thanks!

EDIT: do you need an antenna part or would the 5k antenna in the lander can be enough?

Edited February 20, 2019 by asaurus1

[bewing]

The 5k antenna will give you "control" if you have connectivity back to Kerbin, which will give you the ability to make maneuver nodes. However, you can't transmit science reports through it. So it depends on whether you want to wait to transmit science reports until you dock back to your mothership.

[asaurus1]

4 hours ago, bewing said:

The 5k antenna will give you "control" if you have connectivity back to Kerbin, which will give you the ability to make maneuver nodes. However, you can't transmit science reports through it. So it depends on whether you want to wait to transmit science reports until you dock back to your mothership.

Yes that was my understanding too.

Fortunately I'll be docking with the mothership to refuel anyways before sending this lander to the Mun for another mission. Then I'll be docking it with a Science-to-ground transfer ship in LKO to get the full value of the data. Not sure what I'll do with it after that at this point but that should be a substantial amount of science (and a substantial amount of quicksaving).

More frustrating is that this means the relay probe I sent to Duna for later missions is actually just a hunk of floating batteries and a direct antenna.

Edited February 20, 2019 by asaurus1