World Surveillance Group Inc (fka WSGI)

[Squirt]

PeaceDog

I have to come down on ShakyGuy's side on this one. The signal will indeed dissipate in strength at the ratio of the square of the distance from the source. The issue of physical obstructions isn't relevant. There are no physical obstructions between the transmission source on the cell phone and the ship(unless you live in a cave) :>) Of couse, this assumes unobstructed line of sight.

The decrease in signal strength is essentially a geometric progression.

Example:

X distance from the source = Y strength
2X dist. = 1/4 Y strength
3X dist. = 1/9 Y str.
4X dist. = 1/16 Y str.
etc.

It's been 60 years since I taught this stuff at Scott AFB so I could be mistaken. :>)