Ground radio, discovery and living factions

Discover the settlements around you, then use researched ground radio to expand eligible contacts.

CURRENT GUIDE / .146 FIXED R4 / OCTOBER 26, 2026

Get started

1. Research Radio after Microelectronics on the Tool Progression tab.
2. Build the 100 W ground radio with 65 steel, three components and Construction 4.
3. Select a colonist and right-click the powered radio to scan channels.
4. Open Living factions from Mod options or a selected NPC settlement for the simulation view.
5. Use the separate discovery and trader-journey options to control their visibility and behavior.

Rules and limits

• A scan takes one game hour, then a completed scan has a 2.4-hour cooldown. Only unknown factions with radio technology are eligible.
• Ground radio cannot contact orbital traders. Use the native comms console for orbital trade.
• Hide undiscovered factions defaults ON. Showing all changes visibility but does not unlock Radio research or remote quests.
• Trader markers represent itineraries and cannot be treated as interceptable caravans. Current ground routes reject orbital endpoints.

Read the full update

Open the detailed feature article for the changes, context and testing status.