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This topic has moved here: Subject: Why do Spartans need hand signals?
  • Subject: Why do Spartans need hand signals?
Subject: Why do Spartans need hand signals?

My Grandfather was a Desert Ranger, my Father was a Veteran Ranger in the NCR. My father was killed by Caesar's Legion and they took my Brother. It's now my responsibility to uphold the mantle of the Rangers and avenge my Father and find my Brother.

In Fall of Reach, if I remember correctly, the Spartans can just mute their outside helmet speakers and open a private COM channel so only the people on that channel can hear them. With that being said why do they need hand signals?

P.S. How do Spartans open COM channels? How do the COMs work exactly?

  • 06.30.2011 1:29 PM PDT

Oh yeah It's Rayzed.

The Spartans didn't always have MJOLNIR. They went a few missions without it.

  • 06.30.2011 1:30 PM PDT

~Thomsn0w

It's never explained, if I remember correctly.

  • 06.30.2011 1:30 PM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact

Sometimes Covenant can listen to their COM,that's why they go silent.

  • 06.30.2011 1:33 PM PDT

Oh yeah It's Rayzed.

The thing to remember is that Spartans were not trained in their armor initially. They were probably taught the hand signs as a way of communication during that time. The only reason they still use them might simply be to not waste time while the rest of their team is in sight or it may simply be habit.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 1:38 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 1:38 PM PDT

My Grandfather was a Desert Ranger, my Father was a Veteran Ranger in the NCR. My father was killed by Caesar's Legion and they took my Brother. It's now my responsibility to uphold the mantle of the Rangers and avenge my Father and find my Brother.

How do Spartans open COM channels, then "invite" people into them?

  • 06.30.2011 1:38 PM PDT
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Maybe not listening to the COM system is the case, but once you use COMs you can be easily located - source of radio is traceable.
Hand signals are often used in nowadays, because if soldiers see each other it is the safest communication route - silent, hard to track, but still efficient.

COM system in MJOLNIR amrour is probably some kind of radio based technology with strong encryption.
I think the encryption is at level similar to Covenant technology.

  • 06.30.2011 1:42 PM PDT

“We are the Mirratord. We strike with speed and stealth. Our enemies will not see their deaths. They will not know their fate. In darkness, we will see light. In light, we will see darkness. No matter the location, we will see victory. If we fail, no one will know. Like a ghost, our presence is a mystery. For the honor of the mirratord" join the Mirratord

Because Eric Nylund is dumb.

  • 06.30.2011 1:45 PM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact


Posted by: SpArTaNo9
Because Eric Nylund is dumb.


No u

  • 06.30.2011 1:46 PM PDT

"Halo! Its divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation."


Posted by: Monkeybarsixx
How do Spartans open COM channels, then "invite" people into them?
Covenant can track open COMs, even Private ones.

  • 06.30.2011 1:51 PM PDT

Reach for Halo!

How do Spartans open COM channels?
Wasnt it said somewhere that they pushed their chin on a button inside of their helmet. I think that was in evolutions.
Then they used retinal scanners to decide on who they wanted...I think it was explained somewhere. I'll find it eventually.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 2:00 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 1:59 PM PDT


Posted by: greatestSheriff

Posted by: Monkeybarsixx
How do Spartans open COM channels, then "invite" people into them?
Covenant can track open COMs, even Private ones.


Open com channels are not private ones o_O. Unless you mean open as in active instead of open as in anybody could join.

[Edited on 06.30.2011 2:09 PM PDT]

  • 06.30.2011 2:09 PM PDT

Yes... I can dodge ducks... and slow moving bullets.

If memory serves they open the com channels by "thinking it" and the neural interface would interpret that and open a COM channel, stated in FoR.

  • 07.02.2011 4:01 AM PDT

Brains beats brawn get used to it

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Death to all fanboys.

Hand signals are just more efficient than actually talking when it comes anything short of relaying a complicated multi-step or very specific order..

  • 07.02.2011 4:20 AM PDT

They use them because of an old and wise saying.

KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid.

The most low-tech way of doing something, is also the most reliable and easiest to use.

  • 07.02.2011 5:05 AM PDT

READ IT.

I won the Star. With this on Week 18.

Because even private comm radio singles can be picked up the Covenant. If the mission is radio silence, there is a bloody reason for it.

Also, hand singles is better then having to repeat yourself. It is normally a good way to figure out if your soldiers are alert or not...

  • 07.02.2011 5:20 AM PDT

READ IT.

I won the Star. With this on Week 18.


Posted by: Cmdr DaeFaron

Posted by: greatestSheriff

Posted by: Monkeybarsixx
How do Spartans open COM channels, then "invite" people into them?
Covenant can track open COMs, even Private ones.


Open com channels are not private ones o_O. Unless you mean open as in active instead of open as in anybody could join.

He means any kind of Comm channel can be picked up by the Covenant.

  • 07.02.2011 5:22 AM PDT
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Because you will never know if somebody got compromised.

Hence Oly Oly Oxen Free.

  • 07.02.2011 5:50 AM PDT

The 'first strike' holds a perfect example of how the covenant can detect private com signals, hand signals are a basic for on comunication for quick orders, its natural to be as quiet as possible, they'll also want to use them from basic instinct.

  • 07.02.2011 5:59 AM PDT

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THey need hand signals because the Covenant could intercept their message if their message wasn't on a secure line. Also it's more conveinent than shouting everything that you're going to do like reloading, or flanking or something

  • 07.02.2011 6:37 AM PDT

It's not just the Spartans that use hand signals. Most infantry forces use hand signals.

As for why they use hand signals, maybe they don't want to overcrowd the comm channels. Or perhaps they don't want the enemy decrypting their conversations.

  • 07.02.2011 7:19 AM PDT