Surveillance Gear

Surveillance Gear Stats Item Conceal Weight Avail Cost SI Legal Data Codebreaker 2 5.0 Rating/10d 10,000 x Rating 1.5 4P-V Dataline Tap 12 Rating/8d 1,000 x Rating 1.5 6P-V Laser Microphone 5 1.0 Rating/48h 1,500 x Rating 1.5 6P-V Micro-Camcorder 8 6/48h 2,500 2 8P-U Micro-Recorder 9 6/48h 500 x Rating 2 8P-U Shotgun Microphone 5 1.0 Rating/36h 1,000 x Rating 1 6P-U Signal Locator-Std. 3 2.0 Rating/48h 200 x Rating 1.5 8P-U Signal Locator(AOD) 3 2.0 Rating/48h 500 x Rating 1.5 8P-U Sony HB500 Portacam 3.5 4/72h 2,200 2 Legal Sony CB500 Cybercam 5.5 5/72h 2,700 2 Legal Tridlink Adaptor 6 1.0 2/72h 700 1 Legal Tracking Signal-Standard 9 Rating/72h 500 x Rating 2 8P-U Tracking Signal-AOD 9 Rating/72h 600 x Rating 2 8P-U Voice Identifier 2 5.0 Rating/72h 2,000 x Rating 2 5P-V Desc Data Codebreaker This small device contains a version of the decker Decrypt utility. Encrypted data can be input through standard methods (chip, CD) or through fiber-optic cable (connected to another device, such as a dataline tap). Dataline Tap Spliced into a dataline, the tap will transmit a copy of any data to a distant receiver—either through the Matrix or by radio signal (with a Flux Rating equal to the Tap’s Rating ÷ 4, rounded down). Because fiber-optic lines cannot be tapped, taps can only be set in certain places: inside devices, between devices and fiber-optic cables, spliced into fiber-optic junction boxes and so on. To avoid detection, many devices are set to conduct burst-data transmissions at irregular intervals. These devices can even record the simsense feed of a decker’s Matrix run. Deckers can use this device to create an illegal jackpoint. The rating of the tap must be equal to the MPCP of the deck being used. The cost is Rating x 1,000¥ (Rating x 1,500¥ for transmitter models). Laser Microphone This device bounces a beam against a solid object like a windowpane, reading the vibrational variations of the surface and translating them into the sounds that are occurring on the other side of the surface. Micro-Camcorder Often used for surveillance, a micro-camcorder can be hooked into a vidlink transmitter to discreetly record images and transmit them off-site. Vidlinked micro-cams can be activated and de-activated remotely. The case (3 x 5 x 2 cm) comes with a three-hour vid cartridge. The camcorder can be set to activate with motion, and the recording carries time indicators from the camcorder’s internal clock. Micro-Recorder This small (3 x 3 x 1.5 cm) case has a sensitive microphone and can record for up to six hours. It may be set to voice-activation in order to increase effective recording time. One model comes with a built-in radio transmitter that enables it to broadcast what it picks up off-site. The transmitter’s Flux Rating equals the micro-recorder’s Device Rating. This model also can be set for voice-activated transmission, and can be activated or deactivated remotely on demand. Shotgun Microphone This directional microphone (a 30 x 8 cm polyfoam-protected cone attached to a pistol grip) allows the user to listen in on distant conversations. Solid objects block reception, as do loud sounds outside of the line of eavesdropping. Signal Locator This unit receives the coordinates from a tracking signal. The activate-on-demand (AOD) model can transmit a code sequence to activate the tracking signal as well. The locator comes in a hard plastic case with a map screen in its lid. It receives the GPS coordinates from a tracking signal and displays the signal’s location on a map as long as the locator is within range of the signal. A locator can be linked to others to triangulate on a set tracking signal should GPS data be unavailable. The device can also be programmed to sweep transmission bands for other tracking signals. Sony HB500 Portacam This small, compact, professional trideo camera can be carried (controls are built into the pistol grip) or mounted on a shoulder base and operated by a remote control unit. Sony CB500 Cybercam The cyber version of the portacam, this device allows users with a datajack and a tridlink adapter to control the camera through cybernetic interface. The user is not rigging and does not “see” as the camera, though a user with an image link may open a window in his or her field of vision to view the camera feed. Tridlink Adaptor This device allows users with a datajack to control trideo (or video) cameras via mental commands. The tridlink plugs into the user’s datajack and a fiber-optic cable connects it to the camera. Tracking Signal This device is a combined GPS and homing signal transmitter (4 cm-diameter disk) with Kleen-tac backing. It comes in normal and activate-on-demand versions. Both models receive satellite-transmitted GPS data. The standard model, once activated, transmits its coordinates constantly until manually turned off. The AOD model only transmits its location when it receives a coded signal from the locator unit, and then only for five seconds, and so is less likely to be discovered through signal interception. Voice Identifier This system is designed to defeat voice-masking devices by analyzing the masked voice and comparing it to a variety of possible voices. To determine if it identifies the real voice, make an Opposed Test pitting the Device Rating of the Voice Mask against the Device Rating of the Voice Identifier. If the identifier achieves more successes, it extrapolates the real voice. Countermeasures Stats Bug Scanner 3 1.0 Rating/48h 500 x Rating 1.5 5P-V Data Encrypt-System 2 1.0 Rating/14d 1,000 x Rating 2 4P-V Dataline Scanner 2 1.0 Rating/14d 100 x Rating 2 4P-U Jammer 2 5.0 Rating/72h 1,000 x Rating 1.5 3P-U Voice Mask 6 Rating/72h 3,000 x Rating 1.5 5P-V White Noise Generator 3 1.00 Rating/72h 1,500 x Rating 1.5 8P-U Desc Bug Scanner This hand-held scans various frequencies, but it primarily detects locally generated signals by their signal strength. The scanner will not detect bugs unless they are transmitting. To determine if it picks up a local transmission, make a Scanner Rating Success Test against a target number equal to the transmitting device’s Device Rating + 3. Add a –1 target number modifier for every 2 points of Flux Rating (round down) the transmitting device has. Electronic Warfare may be used as a Complementary Skill for this test. Each success locates a local frequency, and the case’s holographic screen displays a directional arrow pointing to the transmitting device. Alternatively, successes can be used to reduce the 30-minute base time for searching. These devices can be left on in passive “alarm” mode, flashing a light when a transmission is detected. Data Encryption System This device contains a built-in version of the Scramble IC program that encrypts data fed into it. A similar device with the proper decode sequence can decrypt the data. This piece of equipment can also be hooked up to a fiber-optic data transmission device (telecom, fax) so that phone calls, e-mail and so forth can be encrypted. The keypad on this device allows selection of random or pre-arranged codings. The Encryption Rating of the encrypted data is equal to the system’s Device Rating. Dataline Scanner When in-line with a system, this device emits a pulse, measures its return and analyzes the echo to detect the presence of dataline taps, even those that are inactive. If there is a tap on the line, conduct an Opposed Test between the scanner and tap using the Device Ratings of both. If the scanner achieves more successes, it detects the tap; otherwise it notices no anomalies. The scanner cannot determine the location of the tap, only that there is one. Jammer This transmitter engages electronic countermeasures (ECM) to override broadcast signals, scrambling them by filling the band with garbage. This technique targets all radio frequencies. Jammers have a Flux Rating equal to their Device Rating x 1.5. To determine if a jammer successfully interferes with transmitting devices, the jamming player and the target player engage in a Success Contest. The jammer rolls dice equal to his device's Flux Rating against the Device Rating of the target. The player controlling the target device rolls dice equal to its Flux Rating against the jammer’s Device (ECM) Rating. If the jammer rolls more successes, the signal is jammed; otherwise it goes through. If the targeted device was equipped with ECCM, players must make an Opposed Test pitting ECM against ECCM. Any net successes on the part of the target device decrease the jammer’s successes in the preceding Success Contest. Voice Mask This small disk (3 cm in diameter), when worn or held near the throat, creates a resonating frequency that distorts the timbre and pitch of the user’s voice. This device cannot be used to imitate others’ voices or to bypass voice recognition systems. White Noise Generator This device creates a field of random noise, masking the sounds within its area. It is designed to defeat eavesdroppers and long-range microphones (shotgun or laser). When a white noise generator is activated, make an Opposed Test pitting its Device Rating against those of any microphones. Against implanted recorders and hearing amplification, use the Perception of the character using those devices. If the generator achieves more successes, the listener picks up only static.