COMMUNICATIONS

    Cryptography: Skill in recognizing, designing, and cracking secret codes and messages. The character must study the code for two hours to attempt to break it successfully. A failed roll means the individual must study the code for an additional two hours before he or she can try to break it again. The character may attempt to break the code sooner, after only ten minutes of study, but suffers a penalty of -30%. Base Skill is 25%+5% per level of experience. Requires: Advanced mathematics and literacy.

    Laser: This skill provides the character with an in-depth knowledge of sophisticated laser communications systems and fiber optic communications. Base Skill is 30%+5% per level of experience. Requires: Radio: basic, electrical engineer, and computer operation skills.

    Optic Systems: Provides expert training in the use of special optical enhancement equipment such as telescopic lenses, laser targeting, thermo-imagers, passive light intensifiers, infrared and ultraviolet systems, polorization, light fibers, optical scanners, and related devices. Base Skill is 30%+5% per level of experience. Adds a special one time bonus of +5% to T.V./Video skill if both are selected.

    Radio: Basic: This is the knowledge of the operation and maintenance of field radios and walkie-talkies, wire laying, installation, radio procedure, communication security and visual signs/communications, as well as knowing Morse code. Base Skill is 45%+5% per level of experience.

    Radio: Scrambler: This is training in the use of electronic masking, scrambling and unscrambling equipment, and codes for the transmission of radio signals. Base Skill 35%+5% per level of experience.

    Radio: Satellite Relay: This is an understanding in the methods and operations of satellite transmissions. Base Skill 25%+5% per level of experience.

    Surveillance Systems: This is the study and understanding of the operation, methods, and techniques in the use of surveillance systems. Includes motion detectors, simple alarms, complex alarm systems, video camera equipment, amplified sound systems, miniature listening devices (bugs, telephone tapping), recording methods, and some optical enhancement systems (specifically as they relate to camera lenses). Base Skill is 30%+5% per level of experience. Requires: Basic electronics or electrical engineering (+5% bonus), computer operation, and literacy.
    Tailing, or following someone without their knowledge, is another form of surveillance. This also includes stake-out procedures. A failed surveillance roll indicates that the tail was spotted and the subject is aware of being observed/followed. A failed roll in the use of equipment indicates ruined or garbled recording/film (not usable) or malfunction. Bugging equipment can be easily located or noticed through the course of casual activity if a character fails his/her surveillance roll while planting it.

    T.V./Video:Techniques and understanding of videos and audio, filming, editing, special effects transmissions and equipment. Base Skill 25%+4% per level of experience. Spending two skill points on this skill area makes the character of professional film quality/abilites. A one time bonus of 10% applies in this case.

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