Radio Communication
This is a mental Power, in very much the same way that most sensory abilities such as "hearing" or "sight" are mental abilities. In the case of "Radio Communication", the sensory observation uses radio waves instead of fluid compression or visual spectra.
Unlike, say, Analytical Smell/Tracking Scent or Ultra Vision, Radio Communication is the Power for all sides of radio wave communication, reception and transmission. With a special Power Bonus, it might even incorporate encryption to make eavesdropping more difficult.
When all relevant Power users have not arranged ahead of time to use a specific radio frequency, an Action Check may be needed to locate a specific frequency. Use Int as the AV and the APs of Radio Communication as the EV against OV/RVs determined by the GM (using the Universal Modifier Table).
As an example, if a pair of Disco Girls use a set of Groovy Grusha Walkie-Talkies to coordinate their impending blimpjacking, those toy two-way radios do not have powerful signal strength. They do not have consistent signal strength, either; they are toys. The GM may determine that the OV/RV of an investigating Masked Vigilante is "Challenging"
Tesla Coil by CB Ash using Hero Forge
Aww no!
which requires our hero to roll {Intelligence/Radio Communication} versus a 2/2.
Tesla Coil by CB Ash using Hero Forge
Wait.
Really?
You know, I think I can manage that!
Obviously, circumstances can drive the difficulty level up to higher numbers. Signal bleed from close frequencies, scatter due to dense materials, strong ambient magnetic fields, sunspot activity; many story elements already established in the scene may jostle the OV/RV up toward "Beyond the Limit". For most situations in which a specific frequency must be found, the only true concern will be to get a receiver within range of the transmitter.
GM Note
This is an "Automatic" Power, but to find a specific frequency when it really matters, a Character is allowed to Boost this roll by spending HP if they feel that success is critical to Saving the Day.
- The Nice GM
Hypothetically, a Character or Gadget with this Power has access to any signal in the "radio spectrum", from 3 KHz to 3,000 GHz (3 THz), where transmission point and reception are both within the Range (APs of Power plus 5in total distance before any environmental interference or assitance is considered).
However!
Sound can be deliberately muffled; visual appearance can be camouflaged; scents can be muddled. Radio signals can be Scrambled for the equivalent idea of concealment.
Radio Communication
Link: Int
Range: +5
Type: Auto
Base Cost: 10
Factor Cost: 3
Power Bonus Options!
+1 to Factor Cost above
Power Limitation Options!
-1 to Factor Cost above
-1 to Factor Cost above
-1 to Factor Cost above
-1 to Factor Cost above
-2 to Factor Cost above
-1 to Factor Cost above
Power Modifications
Power Bonus!
One special Power Bonus is available for Radio Communication:
Scrambled
The Radio Communication has built-in Stealth in radio wave format by being encrypted. The signal is nearly impossible to locate -- for one thing, a would-be eavesdropper must know to even search for this frequency, and then that eavesdropper must recognize that a decryptable pattern exists on that channel. The OV/RV to locate a Scrambled signal is equal to its APs, modified with Column Shift additions by the GM if necessary.
Tesla Coil by CB Ash using Hero Forge
Oh, now, that is a much tougher target!
Power Limitations!
At purchase (for a Character) or installation (for a Gadget), this Power can be Limited by one but not all three of these Power-specific Limitations:
Transmit Only
Whether Character or Gadget, this Radio Communication flows only away. Did it send successfully? Is it being received by the desired target? This Power user lacks the ability to know.
Receive Only
Whether Character or Gadget, this Radio Communication cannot contribute to the flux of radio waves. They can only bear witness to the stream as it passes by.
Signal Only
A Signal Only radio can send and receive only an alarm tone and general indication of range and direction to the signaling Character. This might be a tracer and its matched receiver, or a proximity alarm, or a shogamorph biological trait akin to thanagarian feather coloration for identification of unique individuals.
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