



Frequencies Edit

There were many subspace frequencies over which hails were sent. Most of the major powers, such as the United Federation of Planets and the Dominion, had their own frequencies and protocols for sending messages such as distress calls, but there were also general frequencies. (DS9: "Waltz")

When contacting a starship or space station the normal command was "open hailing frequencies". (TOS: "The Corbomite Maneuver"; DS9: "Dramatis Personae", et al.)

Direct hail, such as establishing visual or audio contact, did not seem to require any special configuration to match frequencies, as numerous encounters with alien vessels took place without such complications. However, it is possible that the computer automatically searched for the proper band of subspace.

Many types of atmospheric disturbance and certain elements or compounds would prevent hailing signals from reaching their destination. (ENT: "The Catwalk") Engineers could often find creative ways to solve this problem, but some conditions were impossible to penetrate.(citation needededit)

Jamming of hailing frequencies was a common technique used for purposes such as disrupting enemy communication in battle and preventing vessels from emitting a distress call. Most jamming techniques did not prevent the jamming party from sending out its own hails. Of particular note was the Breen method of sending out a rotating electromagnetic pulse. (DS9: "Sacrifice of Angels")

Types of hail Edit

Non-contact hail Edit



Standard hail Edit





Holo-communications Edit


The holo-communicator was a piece of "Treknology" that never caught on. It was seen in several DS9 episodes and never seen again.

Holo-filters Edit


Captain Viterian as seen through a holo-filter


See also Edit