Communication & Specialized Computer Systems

      This section describes the various communications devices and specialized computers that sometimes find their way into a power armor suit. Note that some systems come standard with the more advanced reality interface systems

Civilian Radio: This is a lightweight and small radio, with a short broadcast range, primarily intended for civilian applications. Some military suits are liable to have a civilian radio as a backup system.

Military Radio: This is the same radio equipment, bolt for bolt, microchip for microchip, as the system found on the USA-G10 Glitterboy. The broadcast range is a modest 50 miles. By resetting the radio transmitter inside the armor to an elevated position, however, the same transmitter can achieve a fairly consistent 500 mile range using atmospheric bounce. Atmospheric anomalys can extend this range still further or can completely disable the radio system within a set radius, it just depends on the circumstances.

Military Scrambler: This system allows the military radio signals to be scrambled to all those not equipped with the correct scrambling codes.

I.F.F. Transponder System: A transponder is a fixture of modern technology on the battlefield, a requirement that allows all others so equipped to Identify Friend from Foe. An ally of a power armor operative in the field would then of course have to be carrying a compatable I.F.F. Transponder System with the proper codes in place so as to be read as an ally. How it works is that this system broadcasts details pertaining to what type of power armor carrying it, it's nation of origin, it's mission, it's location and it's altitude. Only other transponders programmed to read this signal pattern can read them. S-Mart sporatically changes these authorization codes to prevent the Coalition States or any other significant enemies from gaining the ability to read these signals. The N.O.M.A.D. Military, Wa-Daisho Red Devils, Tenzan Elite, Imperial Kyatashiro Navy, Imperial Kyatashiro Army and Lazlo Guard all use S-Mart produced I.F.F. Transponder Systems. The largest user outside of the Alliance is Republican, a free city on the East Coast of North America. (This system is occasionally used as a homing beacon.)

Cellular Phone: This is essentially just a cell phone built into a suit of power armor. This is of course of little use to a military type found in the fields, but it is extremely useful for a suit operating in cities equipped with cell systems. Civil defense, civilian utility types and similar are the most common suits to be equipped with this style of equipment.

Laser Communication System: This is a specialized laser and receiver that transmits and receives data to another laser communications device, whether power armor or otherwise mounted. It is exclusively a line of sight communications method, but it is thoroughly secure.

Sonic Communications System: This is a form of underwater communications that utilizes very short frequency vibrations through the surface of the power armor suit, to communicate with other sonic communications systems. The only disadvantage to this system is that it is not directional and can be intercepted by anyone within the 10 mile range. Thankfully this type of system is quite rare. This system is ONLY sold to member nations of the Alliance - no exceptions. Thus far the Coalition States have not come close to breaking the code used by these communications systems, but whales complain that these devices are noisy and annoying. Any time the S.C.S. is in use if someone is using Sonar within five times the range of the communications system, grant the sonar operations officer a +10% bonus to locate the source/direction of the sound.

Computer Uplink: This is an external system that allows the operator of the power armor to jack into a phone or computer system. The applications of this sort of system is primarily intended for the operator to be able to download new software "on the go". In military applications, this allows the operator to jack into a command station computer and download updated situational data, map alterations, troop movements, code changes in the I.F.F. (If fitted to the system in question.), and similar. In the civil field this allows much the same sort of thing. In the case of a civil protection/defense related unit, a power armor operator can download building schematics in preparation for a raid, photos of known fugitives and suspected accomplices, and so forth. In other civil applications a heavy lifter could download details of what cargo needs to be loaded, what docks to load it to, what precautions need to be taken, etc. A construction unit could download schematical data, proper angles of construction, what materials are to be used, what tools are to be used, etc. Once explored in full - this is truly a versatile system to be added to any suit of power armor.

Code-Buster Computer System: This is a specially designed super computer designed for high speed code breaking functions. When linked with a military radio it can record scrambled transmissions and then run it through a sequence of scrambler code settings until the phonic chip picks up on known language. Every minute the Code-Buster runs there is a 15% cumulative chance it will break the code.

Remote Targeting Computer: This is a specially designed system intended for power armor outfitted as forward scouts and those equipped with heavy artillery or ordinance. Working as a team, a scout unit can transmit specified data regarding a prospective target to one or more remotely located heavy artillery units, allowing them to send indirect fire in on top of the target reconnoitered by the scout. This system must be used in conjunction with a communications device of some type or another. Using this system the heavy artillery units receive a bonus of +4 to strike.

Command & Control Computer: This system works much on the same principle as the remote targeting system, in the sense that it transmits data to other power armor units equipped with the same system. In this system's case, it transmits ALL details regarding each suit in a military unit to the other members of the unit upon demand. Thus if operating in a squad of eight, each operator can access information about the other, complete with current visual screen displayed, current audio receptions, position, ammunition situation, damage incurred, and so on. This allows for improved coordinated tactics and through that improved efficiency. This system must be used in conjunction with a communications device of some type or another. (50,000 credits)

Laser Targeting System: This is an advanced laser targeting system and range finder that provides a true point of impact for a weapon's aim, by shining a laser on the target. While not initially designed for this purpose, a suit of power armor may serve as a forward spotter by linking this with a Remote Targeting System, thereby allowing laser guided munitions and ordinance to be dropped in on a target. This provides a +1 to strike when targets are within 6,000', provided that the suit has an Expert Interface or better, or Telescopic Optics installed.

Tracking Computer: The tracking computers produced by S-Mart for power armor deployment are powerful by comparison to most found in North America capable of tracking up to fifty separate targets at once. This system can be calibrated for use with either radar or sonar. Power armor that has both types of sensors can rely on one central tracking computer, the only limitation being that sonar and radar have to be operated separately.

Inertial Navigation Computer: This system assists the power armor pilot in navigation through the use of three ring laser gyros by indicating exactly how far, in what direction, at what altitude, and at what speed the suit has traveled - down to an accuracy of 1/1000 of a mile. If available, coupled with a map of the region loaded into this nav comp, this system becomes nearly fail safe - provided that the pilot using the system can read a map. This provides users with a Navigation skill a +20% to all skill rolls. Every few hundred thousand miles of travel this system requires recalibration, which is easily done by a push of a button inside of the armor. S-Mart has maps available of the entire surrounding region (250 mile radius) of each Desert Star, Wa-Daisho, Lazlo, the Coalition States, Northern Gun/Manistique Imperium, and the Colorado Baronies available at a cost of 200 credits per programming package.

Name Range Weight S.R. Cost M.D.C.
Civilian Radio 20 mi. 5 Lb. 2.5 2,500 N/A
Military Radio 50 mi./500 mi. 10 Lb. 2.5 25,000 N/A
Military Scrambler N/A N/A 2.5 5,000 N/A
I.F.F. Transponder N/A 1 Lb. 2.5 6,000 N/A
Cellular Phone Varies. 1 Lb. 2.5 250 N/A
Laser Communication System Line of Sight 10 Lb. 2.5 70,000 N/A
Sonic Communications System 10 mi. 5 Lb. 2.5 120,000 N/A
Computer Uplink 10' cable 2 Lb. 2.5 6,000 5
Code-Buster Computer System N/A 10 Lb. 5 35,000 N/A
Remote Targeting Computer N/A 1 Lb. 5 8,000 N/A
Command & Control Computer N/A 2 Lb. Nil. 50,000 N/A
Laser Targeting System 6,000' 1 Lb. 2.5 40,000 5
Tracking Computer N/A 5 Lb. 2.5 10,000 N/A
Inertial Navigation Computer N/A 3 Lb. 2.5 2,500 N/A



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