Radio

The Radio is a convenient way for personnel to consult each other and warn about dangers. Similarly to talking in the 'Local', 'Whisper', and 'Emote' texts, if equipped with a radio, or as a silicon, you can talk on the radio text in a radio channel. Unlike local or other texts, radio can be heard station wide by all who have access to it.

Whenever you speak over radio, you will also whisper what you say. This means others, even without access to the relevant channel, can potentially hear your side of what you've been discussing, if close enough nearby.

Usage

To use the radio, press the "T" key to enter the chat box and type ";" before your message to send it over common radio. If you want to talk on a different channel, for example the one of a station department, type ":" and the prefix that corresponds to the department you want to talk to (see bottom of page). You can also type ":h" to speak on the default channel, associated with your radio (ie. engineering for the engineering headset).

Common uses of the radio

• Speaking with others anywhere on the station about the day to day
• Asking for supplies
• As a security officer asking the warden for an arrest warrant of a criminal remotely
• Relaying important information such as the death of members of command
• Receiving warnings and relaying info about rival corporation missions, criminals or other cosmic horrors

• Discussing important decisions such as the calling of the Emergency Shuttle, sometimes in the form of a vote

Encryption keys

You can only talk on channels your headset has encryption keys for. You can examine your headset to see what keys your radio has installed, which channels you can access, as well as what prefixes correspond to accessing those channels. The most common encryption key is (unsurprisingly) the "common encryption key", which almost all radios come with, and all members of the crew spawn with. There are also department specific radio channels and corresponding encryption keys, allowing departments to communicate privately with each other.

Each headset can have encryption keys removed by using a screwdriver on it, and added by clicking on the headset with an encryption key. Every headset has space for only four encryption keys (Command and CentComm get away with having access to all channels using a Station Master Encryption Key).

Silicons inherently have access to the Template:Radio channel channel, allowing them to talk to all other silicons. It is not fully private just for them however, as people with the binary translator key can listen in and speak as well.

Encryption channels require communication servers, which hold their respective encryption key allowing for communication. If the server is damaged, deconstructed, unpowered or the relevant encryption key is removed from it, it will stop functioning.

The exception to communication server's are Template:Radio channel radio's, which can almost always be found near cargo, but also crop up in other areas throughout the station. Unlike the telecommunication server channels, the handheld channel just requires you to hold a handheld radio which has been switched on. Then you can communicate with anyone who also holds one, regardless of station power or sabotage.

Full list of all key's, prefixes and descriptions

Encryption Key	Prefix	Description
binary translator key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key that translates binary signals used by silicons.
binary translator key [Syndicate]	Template:Radio channel	A syndicate encryption key that translates binary signals used by silicons.
blood-red encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by... wait... Who is the owner of this chip?
cargo encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by supply employees.
central command encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by captain's bosses.
command encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by captain's bosses.
common encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by anyone.
engineering encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by the engineers.
freelancer encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by freelancers, who may or may not have an affiliation. It looks like it's worn out.
hand held radio only. No encryption key	Template:Radio channel	N/A
med-sci encryption key	Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by someone who hasn't decided which side to take.
medical encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by those who save lives.
robotech encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by robototech engineers. Maybe it has a LAH-6000 on it?
science encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by scientists. Maybe it is plasmaproof?
security encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by security.
service encryption key	Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by the service staff, tasked with keeping the station full, happy and clean.
station master encryption key	Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel Template:Radio channel	An encryption key used by station's bosses.