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# System prepended metadata

title: Radio System Rework

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# Radio System Rework 

## **Abstract**
This is a new mode of station based communications that takes direct advantage of the satelite system currently used by every station. Instad of having radios that broadcast consistently across the entire station, there will now be a relay system that takes the radio signal and transmits it via the long distance radio tower, which will transmit it to other departments/across z levels with comms dishes. To facilitate this, I plan on adding: 

* New radio mechanics:
* Map reworks to add/remove satelite dishes and a long distance radio tower. 
* A new role/niche job for command to fill called radio officer, who can manipulate the radio signals via a "switchboard" and send them to other frequencies via the long range substation. 
* A new form of the solar flare event that disables/fries part of the radio tower instead of a blanket communications blackout that must be repaired instead of waiting for it to go away. 
* New radio facilities for antagonists' radios. 

## The Radio Tower

The radio tower will act similarly to the AI law rack in that it has modules to remove/add. There will be 4-6 dishes for standard communication plus a long range communications dish. Removing the dishes will require unwiring them, unwelding them, and unbolting them. Once removed they can be replaced with a new dish. Again, similar to the AI law rack, the radio tower CAN be destroyed, in which case the dishes will "fall off" on their own. As of right now, there are no emag interactions planned for the radio tower or dishes. 

## The Switchboard

The switchboard controls the flow of the radio signals. When the radio tower recieves a radio signal, it sends it through the switchboard to be routed to the correct frequencies. As a result, it will be possible to manipulate which frequencies are sent where. Additionally, it will be possible to "combine" frequencies, or "patch in" other channels to frequencies for combined communication. Security and command channels will be locked behind a cardlocked window. Only use those channels in emergencies! Emagging the switchboard unlocks the command channels and security channels. Emagging it AGAIN will scramble all comms perminantly. The switchboard will need to be rebuilt to fix this. We will need to make sure linking the switchboard to the radio tower is relatively painless for this to work. 

## Engineering

The radio equipment will be available for engineering to print off for maintenance and repair. As of now, there are no planned upgrades for the radio tower. The radio tower and switchboard construction will be locked behind a manudrive that the CE posseses in their locker. 

# Antagonist FM

The listening post, wizard den, magpie, and carnigorm would all need their own radio equipment. This would be indestructable for the purpose of not disrupting the round or antagonist activities. Additionally, the listening post will get its own radio listening equipment that can tap in to specific station frequencies. The listening post will NOT be able to impact communications at this time. 

Gangs and conspirators will have their radio systems hardwired. They will not go through the radio tower. 

## Goals
* Add new and engaging ways for the crew to interact 
* Add new jobs/activities for the crew and engineering to participate in to maintain communications
* Add a compelling new method for antags to sabotage station communication
* Rework the old satelite system so it is more interactable
* Make it harder to spam/flood the radio with messages
* Make direct methods of communication more appealing

## Non-Goals
* Encourage griefing by dissabling radios
* Abusing radio station access by non-antags
* Make a system too tedious for the crew to maintain
* Make the AI or other player roles obsolete

## Alternatives
* Radios can be "Paired" so that in the event of a comms blackout they can still communicate on a local network/limited range.
* New security equipment involving radio gear (Needs fleshing out).
* Have maintenence be a "dead zone" or cause large interference with the radio. 
## Potential Changes
* Make the listening post actually listen in to radio comms
* Make it harder to sabotage command/security comms
* Make it possible to feed radio channels in to each other/feed in to other radio channels