Relaying to small probes

[Darkchaos256]

I have a relay probe in orbit of Dres with a vehicle on the surface (yes, I turned off comms to get it down there). Anyone know why there is no connection to the probe on the surface?

This vehicle currently has a signal strength of 20% with the ksc and has a small relay antenna on the side.

This is the vehicle on the ground which now cannot transmit any science

The vehicles are definitely within line of sight of each other

[jimmymcgoochie]

I’m not entirely sure how Kerbalism does antenna range calculations, but the relay antenna might be too weak to reach the probe on the ground- C-16 to HG-5 range is pretty low in stock so it might not be enough to reach the probe. Alternatively, the time when the probe can reach the relay might be when the relay is behind Dres, so can’t reach Kerbin.

Edited July 5, 2021 by jimmymcgoochie

[Darkchaos256]

40 minutes ago, jimmymcgoochie said:

I’m not entirely sure how Kerbalism does antenna range calculations, but the relay antenna might be too weak to reach the probe on the ground- C-16 to HG-5 range is pretty low in stock so it might not be enough to reach the probe. Alternatively, the time when the probe can reach the relay might be when the relay is behind Dres, so can’t reach Kerbin.

When I decoupled the relay module from the lander module, it lost connection immediately so it isn't a distance issue.

Although, I have just thought that maybe it's an issue to do with the fact that they used to be the same vessel before I decoupled them?

[jimmymcgoochie]

I think I know what the problem is- direct dishes only count for the craft they’re attached to and nothing else so the lander is trying to relay back to Kerbin using nothing but the little 5Mm relay dish, which isn’t nearly powerful enough. If you had something like an RA-15 instead, that would be a different story and it would probably work just fine.

[Darkchaos256]

8 hours ago, jimmymcgoochie said:

I think I know what the problem is- direct dishes only count for the craft they’re attached to and nothing else so the lander is trying to relay back to Kerbin using nothing but the little 5Mm relay dish, which isn’t nearly powerful enough. If you had something like an RA-15 instead, that would be a different story and it would probably work just fine.

That makes sense, I feel like that's odd design but it makes sense. I'll have to try that out when I get around to sending satellite constellations to planets in a couple of launch windows time then

Thanks