[robj3]

nuke11 wrote:

If you are looking for an all encumpassing solution that allows Prime to communicate with the BoltHoles, that is going to be a very tall order.

I disagree.

What are the criteria for the solution?

- Concealable transmitter and receiver antennae/array
- Long transmitter range (for the Prime Base end) +/- relay stations
- Independence from geological formations (main problem with ELF transmitter)
- Relatively small size of receiver antenna (minimises the size of land parcel and amount of excavation required for bolthole)
- Relatively small transmitter power demand (ideally low [1-2 kilo]watts for portable [fusion powered?] units)
- Independence from satellites (vulnerable space infrastructure)
- Independence from ionospheric conditions (shortwave worst affected here, ELF/VLF not really affected, meteor burst in between)

The biggest problem with shortwave and meteor burst is the receiving antennae.
These will need to be fairly large (tens of yards/metres) if buried.
The other equipment is highly portable.

I think buried antennae will be required in any case, as a backup to a disguised above ground one.

There is an industry devoted to concealing cell phone towers:
http://www.utilitycamo.com/sites.html
http://weburbanist.com/2010/03/26/fa...ellular-sites/
http://news.cnet.com/Photos-Spot-the...3-5475371.html

As far as one-way communication (Prime-Bolthole) is concerned, a solution was suggested in my first post:

A master station transmits a probe signal into the upper atmosphere. Remote stations wait to receive the probe signal reflected off a meteor trail. They then transmit a message back to the master station that a communication channel is open. The master then acknowledges the remote station and communications begin.

Another option is that the master repeatedly transmits to an array of remote stations. The remotes are in a receive mode only. Given enough time a channel will open to all the remotes.

This is based on info from Cohen et al's report (NTIA Report 89-241).

I would say it is going to be a combination of solutions that will allow one-way communications with the bolthole until the team is awake, then two-way communications can be established with the teams equipment in their vehicle.

For the sake of redundancy you could have two different bands/formats e.g. SW/meteor burst. There may be some scope for a ground wave network, but an operational radius of 2,000km [for meteor burst] covers North America with only a few relay stations required.