Heh ya,
1. Correct they don't stack, and yes that makes scanners pretty much useless
2. Try giving the fleet the order 'Dont get hurt' and make sure ships are set to not break formation. They should hide like scaredy cats.
3. No, there is no way of doing that. Trade is completely abstract. No Battle of the Atlantic in SEIV.
4. No, there should be no difference in chance to hit based on size. Some weapons do have an inherent to hit bonus but not the two you mention. (wave motion gun and mental sing. gen. do as examples.) Look in the Components data file under weapon modifier - that is the bonus to hit, FREX point defence has a 70, meaning +70 to hit (which is why fighters get chewed up)
Edit - learn to spell!
[ April 28, 2004, 12:39: Message edited by: Joachim ]