Oolite Bulletins

Does this need to be activated? If so, how?

Is this an OXP thing? Maybe see if there is a wiki page or a thread in the Expansions Packs forum.

Distress??
Are you joking?

Your in a space something, flying somewhere, trying something. Maybe not legal, or at least wont be in so so many systems.
And you want to advertise where you are?

DavidPratt wrote:

Does this need to be activated? If so, how?

I think you mean Distress Beacon in Missiles and Bombs. This is a special mine which should be deployed as launch a missile:
1. activate missiles with the "t" key,
2. press "y" as many times as needed to highlight the pylon which hold your beacon (zero times if it is currently selected),
3. drop it with the "m" key.

Haven't yet been able to purchase - even at a level 14 planet. So where can one be bought?

DavidPratt wrote:

Haven't yet been able to purchase - even at a level 14 planet. So where can one be bought?

I see TL10 in eqipment.plist so probably you must have a free missile pylon to buy one.

Just curious: What does this beacon do and why? At sea here on earth, a distress beacon sends a signal which indicates your position after your ship sank. In space you have your escape capsule, if not, you are dead. So do you expect a lonesome trader to pick up your remainders for a decent funeral?

"Once deployed, the beacon transmits a distress signal to the nearest police unit, which will dispatch a squadron of ships to assist against any hostile targets."

Technically some Vipers probably equipped with Torus drive due to arrive soon even there is not any ships in the nearly space.