From: ZST@ECLX.PSU.EDU (Zachary S Tseng)
Subject: ECM system (was RE: C3 Network Questions)        
Organization: Penn State Engineering Computer Lab
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 16:43:11 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.24

In <1gjequINNgjs@golem.wcc.govt.nz> taia_a@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz writes:

> 
> >Good question. ECM jams everything, including TAG, Targetting Computer,
> >C3, etc... Actually, it affects 3 hexes around, so if the C3 Slave is in
> >there ... he is f*cked. Automatic path corection should be assumed ...
> >the whole system is already low value as it is.
> >+---------------------------------+   ___     ___       ___
> >| Stephane I. Matis               |  /   \_BATLLETECH  /\__\ Viva NeXT!
> >| E-Mail : kgnome@cs.concordia.ca |  \___/   \___/     \/__/ NeXTSTEP 3.0!
> >| "It Just Works..." - Steve Jobs |      \___/
> >+---------------------------------+       Wolfnet Operative & NeXThead
> 
>  Just a mo. Targeting Computer? ECM jams that! I just read the Compendium
> on that matter and it only says Artemis, Narc, Beagle and C-3. No mention
> of Targeting Computers. Can you point this out I want to know! This may
> mean the end of more Clan meks....JOY!
> 
>  The Radius is 6 hexes and not 3. The whole matter of Guardian ECM is that
> it is a universal weapon make that omnipotent weapon to mount/use. It does
> everything and make one's life a pain. While the Beagle Probe is a piece of
> crud that makes wet spots all over the floor.
> 
     (optional rules deleted)
> 
> Comments?
> This has been....
>  Tony Taia                                    (Sho-sa of the Second Genyosha)
>   TAIA_A@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
> 3055-3067: So little time, so many Clan meks to kill! :)        `|'Disclaimer!
> **Noone knows what I know, so you know that what I know is only mine to know**

An ECM (electronic counter-measure) device works by jamming the electronic
(radio, radar etc.) signals, putting lots of 'garbage' into the transmission so
that it become difficult or impossible to extract useful information out of the
signal.  An ECM unit does not work on optical signals, and it does not impair
the functions of any electronic device other than communication system or
signal processor.  Hence, TAG, which presumably depends on laser, is not
affected by ECM, since you cannot jam a beam of light (otherwise you will be
able to jam all laser-based weapons, just a thought).  Targeting computer,
which is an enhanced version of targeting system, should not be affected,
either, since the normal targeting system in a mech is not affected by ECM. Now 
you can argue that since ECM affects radar, it should make targeting impossible
for ANY mech.  But there is other forms of sensor that are immune to ECM, such
as optic (laser) range-finder, magnetic scanner, and audio sensor.  So we can
rationalize that targeting systems in general, including targeting computer,
are not affected by ECM.  Devices that depend on transmission of some sort,
such as C3, artemis IV, NARC, and Beagle Probe (an enhanced radar, really),
however, ARE affected by ECM units.

Just my $0.02.

Zachary Tseng
Khan, Clan Ghost Bear
Commander, Sigma Galaxy, Clan Ghost Bear
A.k.a. President, Penn State chapter of Shannen Doherty boosters club
*******************************************************************************
* Zachary S. Tseng           *  ZST - Admirer of Steffi, Henrietta, Shannon,  *
*                            *         Summer, and Manon.                     *
* Graduate Student,          *                                                *
* Penn State University      *       But who the heck are they??              *
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* My ignorance is none of your business.                                      *
*                                                                             *
* "It was like that when I got here!" - Homer Simpson, The Simpsons           *
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Organization: Freshman, CIT general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA