Full Version: Comm Link vs Micro Transceivers
Greetings,
Getting back into SR after about a year and a bit and we're playing SR4 which I'm just not that familiar with yet.
We're still generating characters but we've started discussing gear and I asked if there was any other "must have" gear other than a micro transceiver. Which is when several people said they didn't buy one of those they were gunna use their comm links on the job for communication.
Now the only references to micro transceiver in the main book are pretty vague. The description lists it at a short range communicator perfect for covert ops... how wonderfully vague. They go on to mention the rating is the signal str.
In the basic description of "Gear" they basically say "Gear is the stuff you carry, your favorite pistol, your clubbing clothes, your micro transceiver set to your teams encrypted frequency..."
Wait what was that? Encrypted who the what? So presumably these things are encrypted too, they might have wanted to mention that clearly in the description.
So how do is go? I'm thinking I leave my comm link at home when I go running and we use the transceivers but I don't appear to be the majority in my neck of the woods.
Any insight?
Since a commlink has a signal rating too, I'm thinking the commlink can operate in hidden node as a microtransceiver. Some think it's better to turn off your commlink completely so your SIN and personal data (like Mr. Johnson's fone number) can not be compromised, in which case it might be smarter to use just a microtransceiver on a run.
Encryption (which is a Program) has to be purchased separately. Of course, you could always buy one copy of the Program and then crack it to share.
True. Unfortunately it looks like the Commlink replaced a lot of things: Chipjack for Skillware, Computer (Matrix), Cellphone and Micro Transceiver. In my group we have a few problems to accept those heavy changes. The Commlink itself may be the next step of a logial progress how to unite a lot common things together (like mentioned before: Skillsoft, Computer, Cellphone aso) but somehow it seems to be a touch too much.
How much Skillsoft can a PC load into his Commlink? "Errr you can upload, it?!" If this is your answer, my next question would be, upload where? Uploading your Skillsoft means that someone else can download and use em too? Uploading your Skillsoft/Programms means that you have to register some webspace. This again requires the use of an ID. What if a Shadowrunner has to get rid of his ID? All bank accounts, registered spaces aso will be closed. That is what happens these days if the Cops find out that you are a criminal, and I think 2070 it shouldnt be that diffrent.
Furthermore, how many slots does a commlink have? How many Chips can a PC load into his Commlink. And like Sunday_Gamer said: What if the PC want to communicate Encrypted? Can my Commlink do this too? It may be logical to have his Commlink with you if the Group enters a AA-Zone, where everyone who has no active PAN attracs attention like a but-naked guy in a Shoppingmall. But whats if the Team has to infiltrate a secret Lab? Give your teammates a "simple" call thru your Commlink... Sounds unprofessional to me.
How much Skillsoft can a PC load into his Commlink? "Errr you can upload, it?!" If this is your answer, my next question would be, upload where? Uploading your Skillsoft means that someone else can download and use em too? Uploading your Skillsoft/Programms means that you have to register some webspace. This again requires the use of an ID. What if a Shadowrunner has to get rid of his ID? All bank accounts, registered spaces aso will be closed. That is what happens these days if the Cops find out that you are a criminal, and I think 2070 it shouldnt be that diffrent.
Furthermore, how many slots does a commlink have? How many Chips can a PC load into his Commlink. And like Sunday_Gamer said: What if the PC want to communicate Encrypted? Can my Commlink do this too? It may be logical to have his Commlink with you if the Group enters a AA-Zone, where everyone who has no active PAN attracs attention like a but-naked guy in a Shoppingmall. But whats if the Team has to infiltrate a secret Lab? Give your teammates a "simple" call thru your Commlink... Sounds unprofessional to me.
| QUOTE (i101) |
| How much Skillsoft can a PC load into his Commlink? "Errr you can upload, it?!" If this is your answer, my next question would be, upload where? Uploading your Skillsoft means that someone else can download and use em too? Uploading your Skillsoft/Programms means that you have to register some webspace. This again requires the use of an ID. What if a Shadowrunner has to get rid of his ID? All bank accounts, registered spaces aso will be closed. That is what happens these days if the Cops find out that you are a criminal, and I think 2070 it shouldnt be that diffrent. |
Memory is assumed to be trivial in SR4. You can store stuff anywhere ... your porn collection can be stored on your submachine gun ... your skillsofts can be stored on in your shoes ... your backup Programs can be stored in your nose-ring. Memory space is everywhere.
| QUOTE (i101) |
| What if a Shadowrunner has to get rid of his ID? All bank accounts, registered spaces aso will be closed. That is what happens these days if the Cops find out that you are a criminal, and I think 2070 it shouldnt be that diffrent. |
Of course, clever runners have bank accounts registered in a variety of places - there are a few sourcebooks that talk about shadow banks.. check out the Independent Bank of Malaysia. Just keeping a small amount of cash in your "day-to-day" ID and the remainder spread out among other IDs, or even keeping a separate ID for nuyen-transfer only, isn't a bad idea.
There's a variety of neat tricks you can do. When I have more time, I'll post a better example of one of these ID- and nuyen-shuffling things..
| QUOTE (Sunday_Gamer) |
| So how do is go? I'm thinking I leave my comm link at home when I go running and we use the transceivers but I don't appear to be the majority in my neck of the woods. |
Leaving your commlink at home is hard to do. It means you aren't running a PAN, which means your smartlink likely doesn't work unless you've got a completely cybered version. It means that you're screwed should you get pulled over by police/security because you can't even flash them some fake ID. It means that the hacker can't load fake access details on your commlink so that security doors open automatically for you when they pick up your forged access details. It means that your teammates can't send you real time feeds from their own points f view, from drones etc.
Leaving it behind also means that you can't have any of the above hacked, but if you ask me, you're giving up a lot.
It's a tactical advantage to have this stuff, and the hacking issue can be helped by loading up on some defences for your commlink, or simply taking the risk, relying on the fact that hacking a hidden/encrypted commlink in real time takes more time and effort than most people will invest
You can also skinlink your comm, and then use only trancievers for communication. You're safe from being hacked that way, while still recieving data. If you need to, you can always turn on the wireless on your commlink later.
| QUOTE (Cain) |
| You can also skinlink your comm, and then use only trancievers for communication. You're safe from being hacked that way, while still recieving data. If you need to, you can always turn on the wireless on your commlink later. |
Well yes, but then you still aren't getting feeds from your team mates etc. Voice is one thing, but map overlays, camera feeds etc offer an extra level of tactical knowledge, not to mention convenience for things like forged access details etc
| QUOTE (NightRain) | ||
Well yes, but then you still aren't getting feeds from your team mates etc. Voice is one thing, but map overlays, camera feeds etc offer an extra level of tactical knowledge, not to mention convenience for things like forged access details etc |
why not have 2 commlinks, have a skinlink comm with wireless completely disabled to handle the PAN of gear you don't want to be accessable to the outside, and you have a second Comm that can handle your communications, fake SINs, gear thats legal and/or common and anything else a skinlink comm can't handle.
then when you need to be sneaky, go hidden on your external comm and use the transceiver for communication.
Microtransceivers can be had at signal rating 6 (range 10km) for just 1200 
. A commlink with that signal strength would have to be custom made or upgraded and would cost about 10 times as much.
With a device rating of 6 they can also take a rating 6 encryption program. The commlink with that program would need Response 6 (also custom or upgraded) and System 6 (only available as a custom program). That's an admittedly odd result of course.
The microtransceiver also makes good sense as a backup in case you commlink gets hacked or you're worried it could be traced or tapped. Finally, the microtransceiver doesn't have any of your personal details on it in the event it gets hacked.
Ultimately, it's a relatively cheap and easy way to limit your exposure in the shadows. Not a replacement for a commlink, but useful for certain tasks and situations.
. A commlink with that signal strength would have to be custom made or upgraded and would cost about 10 times as much.With a device rating of 6 they can also take a rating 6 encryption program. The commlink with that program would need Response 6 (also custom or upgraded) and System 6 (only available as a custom program). That's an admittedly odd result of course.
The microtransceiver also makes good sense as a backup in case you commlink gets hacked or you're worried it could be traced or tapped. Finally, the microtransceiver doesn't have any of your personal details on it in the event it gets hacked.
Ultimately, it's a relatively cheap and easy way to limit your exposure in the shadows. Not a replacement for a commlink, but useful for certain tasks and situations.
Oy veh! Clearly there is a BUTTLOAD of stuff I haven't grasped yet about comm links.
I got most of that however and ya, if I'm sneaking into some place... the camo suit with tricked out helmet and the bow on my back pretty much means a comm link is the last of my problems if I run into a cop...
Encryption 6... check, gotta load my transceiver up with that.
See I have a relatively crapalicious comm link since I figured you didn't want to have that thing during a run for some chowderhead to hack and...see who you are. Which brings me to the question what precisely is the link between the comm link and the identity of the person using it?
Also, I buy a comm link... I also have to buy it an operating system... what other "musts" would a runner do to his comm link?
Thanks btw... much help.
Would you get a second comm link to do all that fun shadowrunning stuff? load fake IDs, feeds from teamates...
Ok I just found the vastness of info on this in the book, I'ze gunna shutup and read now...back later when I've read it and still don't get it cause I'm stupid...
I got most of that however and ya, if I'm sneaking into some place... the camo suit with tricked out helmet and the bow on my back pretty much means a comm link is the last of my problems if I run into a cop...
Encryption 6... check, gotta load my transceiver up with that.
See I have a relatively crapalicious comm link since I figured you didn't want to have that thing during a run for some chowderhead to hack and...see who you are. Which brings me to the question what precisely is the link between the comm link and the identity of the person using it?
Also, I buy a comm link... I also have to buy it an operating system... what other "musts" would a runner do to his comm link?
Thanks btw... much help.
Would you get a second comm link to do all that fun shadowrunning stuff? load fake IDs, feeds from teamates...
Ok I just found the vastness of info on this in the book, I'ze gunna shutup and read now...back later when I've read it and still don't get it cause I'm stupid...
| QUOTE |
| Would you get a second comm link to do all that fun shadowrunning stuff? load fake IDs, feeds from teamates... |
In a heartbeat.
Carrying two commlinks, or daisy-chaining several, is an old Dumpshock trick to keep the benefits of a PAN while zeroing out the vulnerabilities.
Well, I like to think of the micro-transceiver this way:
You ever see Way of the Gun? Remember at the end when Joe pulls out a cheap walkie-talkie to call in the ambulance? Because in every scene in Mexico cell phones were shown to be unreliable, to say the least.
That's the benefit of having a micro-transceiver.
You ever see Way of the Gun? Remember at the end when Joe pulls out a cheap walkie-talkie to call in the ambulance? Because in every scene in Mexico cell phones were shown to be unreliable, to say the least.
That's the benefit of having a micro-transceiver.
| QUOTE (martindv) |
| Well, I like to think of the micro-transceiver this way: You ever see Way of the Gun? Remember at the end when Joe pulls out a cheap walkie-talkie to call in the ambulance? Because in every scene in Mexico cell phones were shown to be unreliable, to say the least. That's the benefit of having a micro-transceiver. |
That was my impression as well. Commlinks are basically blackberrys, while a micro-tranceiver is a walkie-talkie. Each has their benefits, but if you want to have secure tactical communication in *every* environment (the GM will throw you into a forest *sometime*) then the ole' reliable is the way to go.
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