Trade Income

No. Speed on the frieghters will only get to the planet faster. After that, the speed is reduced to one, always.

What about weapons? Always curious about that.

If you make a freighter with weapons, it will attempt to defend itself if it is attacked while on its route. Though if you go that path you'll also want to build it on a combat hull with some defenses as well.

do you have to pay maintenence on freighters traversing their routes?

That's a good question. Would like to know the answer to that before I start arming my freighters. Never thought of putting a trade module on a battleship, I didn't realize that would transfer over to the mini-freighter. What happens if you put a trade module on a powerful ship, and then tried to create a trade route with a defended planet? Would your "freighter" destroy everything in orbit and then attempt to trade goods?

Yes, these are great questions. As I'm just starting out in a new game, the answers give a nice edge.

Can I fleet freighters with fighters? I recall seeing stuff on escorts long ago but was just learning how to play.

I don't think you can. It could be possible but never gave it much thought. I alwayse had enough influence to vote yes for not attacking trade ships.

....just built a trade module on an economic star base witin range of my only two planets. I see no increase in any of the economic/trade numbers.

What am I missing?

Are you missing a freighter in the starbase's zone of influence?

Are you missing a freighter in the starbase's zone of influence?

The planets have trade routes leading to other planets. Does the effect have to wait until a freighter enters the zone of influence?

Yes, the freighters have to be in the zone.

That is why many players use many econ bases strung along the trade routes - to keep the ships always inside an area of influence.
And the effects stack, so you can take advantage of multiple bases in a single sector.

Also be sure to create all your freighters on a single planet...this makes it alot easier to setup the econ bases.