First game...have questions...

Here is my approach to trade...
I build enough ships to send 2 to each stars I want to trade with, One for immediate trade, and another on guard, waiting until I increase my number of trade routes.
I send my freighter as far away as possible, in different direction, prefering minor race, to minimize impact of embargo and war.
In mid game I'll buy freigters from the destination AI, and send in to a star in the area, it saves travel time.
Building starbase on the trade routes increases you revenue.

Hope this helps.

~SDC~

Once a trade route is established it can not be improved with another freighter. All the new freighter can do is to attempt to build a *new* trade route. Each trade route you establish contributes to your trade revenue. Once you establish your limit of trade routes you can not establish any more until you get an increase in theose allowed (usually through researching certain techs).

Building star bases on trade routes and upgrading them with the trade upgrades increases the trade revenue you get from that trade route *when* a trade ship is in the same sector. (A star base without a trade upgrade has no effect on a trade routes revenue.)

"how do youdecide to stick with a tech startegy?" I think everyone you talk to will have a different idea, and every time you talk to them you will find their strategy will have changed. One of the great things about this game is that the way the AI's play keeps changing. A basic strategy with built in flexibility is what you need. The AI will try to force you to react to what it is doing, but you will want to try to force the AI to react to your strategy.

I see I forgot you can always get rid of trade routes that you think are not profitable enough.

~SDC~