Spacer as Soldier

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by doulos05

Exactly what we're talking about. Now, dialing in the frequency for the local port, configuring the computer to match whatever the local communications protocols are, setting up any translation needed, etc. Those require Electronic Ops (Comms). You could do all of this with a +4 or +6 for it being a routine action. Or you could do it all using Spacer at a base roll. More complicated stuff (Like contacting the secret frequency used by the smuggling ring running out of the spaceport using their encryption package) would be beyond the scope of Spacer. Electronic Ops (Comms) or bust.

In any campaign with digital technology comparable to modern day TL8, it is very likely that all of these routine tasks can be accomplished by anyone who has even a default level of Computer Operation at the appropriate tech level and who doesn't mind having to go through a digital menu*.

It's extremely user-unfriendly to require a specialised skill usually taught only to communications technicians just to dial a given frequency with the communicator. Electronic Operations (Communications) is for using communications equipment under field conditions, even in the middle of combat, and covers all sort of field-expedient methods of getting the most out of the communications equipment and even using it for tasks it is not explicitly inteded to perform, such as patching into the comms of an orbiting spaceship with a ground-to-air radio.

You don't need it just to talk to people over a communicator in a non-combat, non-stressful situation, where range and conditions are comfortably within the design specs for the equipment, even if you need to find a number or frequency and call someone before you talk to them.

Under most circumstances, it doesn't take any skill roll to look up a frequency in the computer banks and enter it. Hell, under most circumstances at late TL8 and TL9+, the computer probably does it for you as soon as you ask it, either with voice command** or by choosing a simple icon on the computer.

*Probably Taking Extra Time for +1 or +2 so that he's at skill 14+ even with default.
**Reliable and versatile systems with it will be here Really Soon Now, which probably means they count as TL9 tecnology.