Distance between the Imaam and Muqtadis

Sound system malfunctioning during the fardh salaah

Q: Some people were reading salah in the main hall and others outside the hall. The microphone got cut half way through, such that the people outside the hall couldn't hear the imaam or see him. There was also no one to call out the takbeer. What is the ruling in this case? 

1. Is the salaah valid for those outside despite the mic being off throughout the rest of the salaah? 

2. Some people broke their salaah and some carried on. Is their salaah valid? 

3. If the mic was to start working again, then can the people outside carry on and catch up to the imaam?

Following the imaam in salaah over Skype

Q: During a special time like an epidemic, is it permissible to pray in congregation by following an imam over Skype? For example in Jumu'ah, if the imam delivers the sermon in Skype and leads the prayer, can the muqtadi take part in the congregation from their houses (which is different than the imam's)? Is this congregational prayer valid? If not, what is the basis of this invalidity according to Quran and Hadith?

Performing jamaat salaah on the 1st or 2nd floor of a masjid

Q: I read the Q&A related to performing jamaat salaah in a hotel in Al Haram, at http://muftionline.co.za/node/13093 and http://muftionline.co.za/node/25791 and http://muftionline.co.za/node/27480

In Pakistan, many masjids have 1st floor and few have 2nd floors as well. Please enlighten me that performing jamaat salaah on 1st and 2nd floor is valid or not?

Large gap between saffs in jamaat salaah

Q: For the saffs of the men, we understand that there should be continuity, and a gap larger than 2 saffs between saffs will cause the link to be broken, thus the salaah of those behind the gap will not be valid. (In the situation where there isn't any river, etc. inbetween).

What is the ruling regarding saff continuity for ladies? If a masjid has a room at the back, but between the last saff of the men and the women's room is a large gap, would the ladies salaah be permissible behind the imam? (assuming all other conditions are fulfilled such as the imam making niyyat for leading the ladies).