Communications Devices

Comlink

A personal communications transceiver, the comlink consists of a receiver, a transmitter, and a power source. Comlinks come in a variety of shapes and styles.

Encryption: A comlink can have hardwired encryption routines (-4 penalty to all Electronics checks made to intercept the transmission) for ten times the base cost.

Holo Capability: A comlink can have holo capability (three-dimensional images in addition to audio) for five times the base cost.

Video Capability: A comlink can have video capability (two-dimensional images in addition to audio) for twice the base cost.

Earbud: The earbud comlink is a tiny comlink fitted for the wearer’s ear, allowing unobtrusive private communication for anyone needing to be discreet. The earbud comlink’s size, shape, and color give the wearer a +2 bonus to Thievery checks for the purpose of hiding its presence. The earbud comlink can be programmed to initiate or receive a transmission when the wearer touches his or her ear or even clicks or grinds his or her teeth. Because of its minute size, the earbud comlink has a range of 30 miles or low orbit.

Hands-free: The hands-free comlink is a convenient device often used by beings working under conditions where both hands are needed to perform a task. This comlink consists of several linked sound absorbing pads, placed on the face of the user and connected to an earpiece. When the wearer speaks, the sound-absorbing pads transmit the speech; additionally, the comlink can be adjusted to pick up only the faintest of whispers, allowing the wearer to use the comlink to communicate quietly when stealth is important. Hands-free comlinks have a range of 30 miles or low orbit, and they can be built into helmets and armor. Hands-free comlinks can process audio, but do not have video or holo capability.

Long-range: A long-range comlink has a range of 125 miles or high orbit, and it requires a backpack-sized comset. For double the cost, a long-rage comlink can be miniaturized to a wrist-sized unit.

Short-range: Short-range comlinks have a range of 30 miles or low orbit, and they can be built into helmets and armor.

Tightbeam: A tightbeam comlink is a simple add-on for any comlink or transceiver. It is worn on a helmet or headpiece and uses special lasers to send and receive encrypted messages from another individual also equipped with a tightbeam comlink. Soldiers use the tightbeam comlink to ensure that messages are not intercepted on the battlefield. The two characters must be in line of sight with each other, but the tightbeam comlink ignores penalties due to darkness, smoke, or other atmospheric hazards. Communication scanners and other passive methods of interception cannot pick up tightbeam comlink messages, unless the interceptor is directly in the path between individuals using these devices.

Holo converter

This small, blocky device is attached to a holoprojector and uses powerful algorithms to alter the outgoing signal, modifying the images and sounds received on the other end so that the user's appearance and voice are disguised. The holo converter can even disguise the user's gender and species. Preset with up to 10 different personae, complete with rotating wardrobe, the holo converter grants a +4 bonus to Persuasion checks for the purposes of making the receiver believe that the user is another person.

Panic ring

Despite the name, this device is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, the most common being a large, ornamental ring. Diplomats, wealthy CEOs, and anyone who fears kidnapping or ambush wear panic rings. A secret catch reveals a small button that, when pressed, releases an encrypted emergency signal. This signal has a range of 60 miles and continually broadcasts a preset signal - usually "wearer in danger" - to local law enforcement, personal security, or any other group designated by the wearer. Changing this signal requires an Electronics check, and a critical failure activates the panic ring.

Personal translator

Drawing from the success of many protocol droids, the designers at Cybot Galactica condense the translating abilities of a 3PO unit into a tiny shell that can be worn around a person's neck or carried in a pocket. Thus, a person can carry a personal translator unit anywhere without having to rely on a protocol droid. The universal translator can translate verbal communications in the owner's language and up to three other languages of the owner's choosing. The translator has no photoreceptors or appendages, so it is not able to interpret nonverbal forms of communication such as sign language.

Pocket scrambler

This is a simple add-on device that can be attached to any normal communications device, such as a comlink and more advanced transceiver. The pocket scrambler automatically encodes any outgoing message so that it can be read only by a communications device equipped with a linked pocket scrambler. Anyone who intercepts the scrambled message takes a -4 penalty to Electronics checks to decrypt it.

Portable beacon

Portable beacons do nothing more than transmit signals that can be received only by sensors. A single beacon is about 3 feet long. One end is pointed, making the beacon easy to embed in the ground, but a beacon also features a built-in tripod, enabling the beacon to be set up on a hard, flat surface. Able to transmit a signal to a range of 6,000 miles from a planet's surface, a portable beacon is commonly used to mark the location of a safe landing zone. However, a beacon can be reprogrammed to broadcast a warning or a distress signal by connecting it to a datapad with a successful Electronics check.

Signal wand

The signal wand is a 1foot-long stick that has multiple functions. One of its most popular features is its orbital-range broadband comlink, which can transmit a tightbeam signal well beyond a planet's gravity well. If the wand is connected to a more powerful energy source, the tightbeam signal can travel through subspace to reach interstellar distances. However, the user must know exactly where to point the wand to ensure the beam is on target. The wand also has a red external light that can be used to transmit signals, such as Mon Calamari blink code.

Sound sponge

This small electronic device emits sound waves in frequencies well above and below the normal range of audible sound for most species in the galaxy, using those sounds to suppress other sounds in the vicinity. A sound sponge muffles all sound in a 6” radius, granting a -2 penalty to Notice checks to hear noises from the area.

Targeting beacon

Soldiers use targeting beacons for a variety of purposes, such as for calling in medical ships to evacuate wounded personnel and for establishing hot zones for artillery bombardments. The cylindrical beacon has a magnetic bottom for attachment to a vehicle or building, plus an expanding spike for firm anchoring in the ground. The targeting beacon is topped with a large light, which can emit a pulse of visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light. The light can be tuned to a specific frequency so that allies who know the proper setting can spot it from a distance without alerting the enemy.

Modifying the targeting beacon's frequency requires an Electronics check. In clear weather and with unimpeded line of sight, a targeting beacon's pulse of visible light can be seen up to 1 mile away.

Visual wrist comm

The visual wrist comm is popular with smugglers and soldiers. The comm is a small, flat, rectangular panel that easily attaches to a glove or other flat surface. The comm sends and receives audio and visual signals, and it can display holographic information, though only as a two-dimensional image. It has a range of up to 50 miles while planetside - sufficient to reach orbital range - and runs on a single energy cell, which must be replaced after 10 days of continuous use. In addition, the wrist comm functions as a simple datapad that stores and receives information from droids, comm signals, direct computer links, and standard datacards.