You have to research the phase stabalizer tech (I think its in the civic research tree, but I could be wrong) and then build a phase stabalizer node/phase gate (tactical structure). Then your ships can jump directly from any planet with a phase gate to another planet with one, provided they are in the same solar system.

Fantastic! Thanks guys.  These forums are definitely n00b friendly.

Now as a tactical question. Are there more than one ship that can create a mobile phase stabilizer? And does that allow all the ships in a grav well to jump out?

Thanks again,

Phase Stabilizer Nodes work only for the empire that created them - not even their allies can use them, for better or for worse.

Particularly, if you execute a phase jump from one node to another node and your destination node is removed (either through the Phase Stabilizer generating it being destroyed or the duration for an ability expired), any ships that already started the jump will continue on. Other ships will have to use an alternate route unless you re-establish the node.

As long as it's a node. You can jump from any node you have to any other node you have.

Can trade ships use the phase stabilizers to lengthen the trade route past a neutral grav well?

Most of the time, phase stabilizers would shorten your longest trade route, so this is actually a benefit.