So you learn that the institute hides a signal in the classical radio. I'm trying to understand how this works with the relay. I think that they use the signal to pinpoint locations in the commonwealth, so that they have coordinates to teleport somewhere. For example, in the Red Rocket station, there is a radio playing classical radio. I assumed this was needed for someone from the Institute to teleport to and from there. The institute person that frees the SS from his cryo pod, used this signal to get there and get out. Is this right? What are others' thoughts on how this is supposed to work? I'm asking because if I want to do a no fast travel playthrough, and use the Institute relay, then I should really only be able to teleport to locations playing classical radio.

The "waves would still be there" even if no one is tuning in. Think of it like a broadcast area instead of a homing beacon.

( I would say to save yourself some trouble)

Does a tree falling in the forest make noise if no one is around?

Yep, plus we miss it cursing!

Yeah, this is correct. The signal is being broadcast over the entire Commonwealth. And according to Virgil, all the data for the signal is on harmonic frequencies.

So it doesn't require anyone "tuning in" to the broadcast. Its just a carrier for the signal.