I'm confused why the Retrans unit even exists. As far as my understanding goes, any Matrix Node can and does act as a "retransmitter" unit as per the description of a "mesh network." For example, if you have your Commlink and you want to get on the Matrix, but are out of range of a "main" transmission tower, you can just use other nearby Nodes to "node hop" your signal until your are in range. So, if every Node can already do this, why do we need Retrans units? Isn't every Node already a Retrans unit?

The only use of the retrans unit is to separate the Drone node from the mesh node.

But couldn't you do that with just another Drone with a sufficient enough Signal rating, even without a Retrans unit?

I would think some nodes would not allow themselves to act as a retrans unit. Having a dedicated retrans unit assures you that you will have one available when *YOU* need it.

Except that you can get the same benefit of a retrans unit by just spending 3 grand to boost the vehicle's Signal to 6, which is cheaper than buying a Retrans unit and doesn't take up any modification slots.

There are large swaths of the Sixth World that have no Matrix Nodes at all.

And for that laser transmitters and satellite links were invented.

Not physically.

Among other places, I was thinking of some of the jungles out there. Can you reliably access a satellite from the middle of a rain forest?

Short answer: yes.

Note that I said 'reliably'. Does that make a difference to your response?

I don't understand this answer.

To all: I understand the need for having "some" device to increase the signal range of a drone/Matrix network, I don't have a problem with the "concept" of signal retransmission. However, if a "retrans" unit is simply defined as a device that can accept a signal and then pass that signal on to a further node, I had thought that any node could already do that. Why do we need a retrans unit?

It's like having an add-on for a gun that "pushes a high-speed projectile toward a target using a chemical propellant reaction."

Maybe for encryption or stealth purposes.

I think a better analogy might be "its like having a laser designator on your rifle that you can use to call down artillery fire".

Besides the perfectly reasonable answers given above I think the retrans unit adds a certain level of tactical flexibility.

My theory goes, that drone nodes can't route signals through them, since they aren't really matrix capable devices like a kommlink.

If that would be the case, it would be mentioned somewhere, wouldn't it?


What's not to understand about 'physically separate'?

It's about security.

Only that when your battery dies you need to recharge it and jungles don't have electrical outlets nearby. Of course you can charge it right off the cigarette lighter in a car for example.

Short answer: no it does not make a difference. You can use a satellite phone reliably anywhere in the world.

My last character had great fun attaching them to arrows, shooting cybered dudes with them, and using the retrans unit to hack the dude's cyber-eyes Laughing Man style. Pretty much my signature move.

I prefer using the laser tech to extend my drone's range, sat link is cool but reduces Response which can be bad sometimes, especially when using the drone as a remote hacking tool.

Also when going up against UCAS military units with access to orbital weapons platforms, I found the sat link less useful but then runs against Military special ops don't happen often enough for it to be a major issue.


Pardon me, but how many Sat phones have you used? Because the ones we have at work don't work reliably anywhere in the world. Your better off with a radio most of the time. But then maybe they've improved significantly by 2070. Is your comment supported by setting material? It could be our survey company just has crappy satphones but I don't think that is the case.

When we look this question in current technoly view retrans units are must for various reasons. First bandwidth is limited, second longer trip for signal means bigger latency ( decrease response ) and third reason is that current packet systems (example tcp) can not guarantee bandwidth and those which can are slow and expensive. You cant route your data throu tens hosts and expect have "good" connection

So when we looks this matter in that perspective. My opinion is that only idiot would run mission critical systems over satellite link or public access internet (normal people) but its option for bigger companies and military because they can have dediacted systems for it. Imagine situation where you lost connection to combat drone when someone decided to cut your conenction because you were hacking into system or other users traffic caused huge lag to your connection.

But RAW says that there is no bandwidth limitations.

in unwired its stated that only active nodes act as routers, passive and hidden do not.

also routing and retransmission is not 100% the same...

Well there's the fact that you can use the retrans unit as a secure link compared to shared Matrix nodes. It can also be used to switch incoming transmissions onto different frequencies and redirect them to other places that don't have Matrix access (isolated systems) although admittedly, this was more a SR 3 advatage before the advent of wireless Matrix & AR.

As to the comment of satellite cellphones, sorry but I have to say that currently you are restricted in their transmission ranges purely by access to satellite in your vicinity. There are many places in the world where even a satellite phone won't connect because there isn't a satellite in an overhead orbit. Trust me, had to use one in the outback a few years ago when our bus got bogged down and there was no current 'lite in range. Guide found it quicker to hitch a lift back into town and use their radio (ad we weren't even that far out from "civilisation" either.

OK, now we're talking 2070 and after all the megacorporate space traffic there's bound to be a lot more global coverage by satellites, especially with the advent of Matrix communications. But there are still cetain places on the planet that would be out of touch with Sixth World communications tech usless someone specifically reprogramsa a 'lite to change its orbit. I'm thinking mainly out of the way places like Antartica and the Pacific Ocean. As corps are ruled by the mighty bottom profit line, they wouldn't have a coverage thereunless it was economically viable or they had a vested interest to do so. secret research labs, isolated arcologies, the Arks of Oceania etc.

Then again, even with all the new AR technological advances, don't rely on them to work all the time. This is the Sixth World and magical phenomina such as mana storms and spirit manifestations can really put a scupper on what should work reliably.

Ok, I get that you don't want to use a "public" Matrix node as a retransmitter for your "private" network. But can't you just use one of your own drones, that is already on your Network, as a "retransmitter" for your private Network?

The only direct answer to my question so far has been that drones "can't" act as retransmitters normally, but that seems... artificial.

People talking about distinct networks, or secured networks are talking crap. The retrans unit fulfils the same purpose as a Signal upgrade. It's far more available, though. The availability rating on Signal 6 is 18 or 16 (can't remember which), whereas Retrans units are only availability 12.

Furthermore, they're also a Rating 3 device on top of their Signal. More devices are good for clustering.

Hmmm if a passive or hidden Node - like a Drone (hey, do you want every Joe Average to see your Drone?) - can't route anything through...
Then the Retrans actually makes sense.

But what if said Passive or Hidden drone was already part of your Network? You can already send and receive signals from it, so you should be able to use it as a Retransmitter. I just don't see the difference between a "retrans unit" and "anything with a high Signal already on your Network."

to be specific then, the retrans unit basically retransmits the analog radio signal, while when one is routed via a node, the node has to receive the signal, unpack the digital data, repack it for another address and send it on.

in theory you could use a retrans unit for any kind of radio traffic, not just wifi data traffic (say for instance those micro-transceivers, p320 SR4/BBB).