Getting out through the funky warp points (FWP's from here on) takes ARMOR. SHIELDS are no help at all in absorbing the damage inflicted on you by an FWP
An FWP will usually damage you, not always, but the amount of damage is almost always exactly 200 points. This means 7 Armor I's will absorb it all. In fact, 6 will be damaged, and the 7th not touched at all.
So if all you need to do is get a ship out to make contact and start trade, you CAN do that with a Frigate
