So while exploring I got into the habit if scooping whatever cargo I found out past 200ly and the four times I did it I got caught coming back and fined for it, it dropped my Allied status with the Feds to Friendly, I got it back to Allied. A week later when first starting out trading in a T7 I noticed I got scanned by Federal security multiple times when entering or leaving a station. I'm starting to think even though I'm allied and have been for awhile again, I'm now on a hidden list as a smuggler, due to the crazy scan increase rate I've been subject too. Have any of the smugglers noticed this/
I think there is a hidden scanning mechanic (security scans)
- Thread starter Obtuse
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Funny you should mention. I noticed the same thing doing the Persephone CG. I had been smuggling personal weapons. Made about 4 runs with no issue, didnt even get scanned. The 5th I got nabbed, the next run I got scanned but made it in the slot in time, the next run I got nabbed so I stopped and found a source for Non-Lethals instead. I've been scanned EVERY run into that station since then.
To clarify, these were security ship scans, I would get the scanning complete move along pilot after each one, and the T7 is a large ship 
It could always be a player with a cargo scanner outside the station in silent running
Since 1.2 they added a mechanic where smaller ships get scanned less than big ships, this might be related.
I hardly get scanned in my eagle and it's one of the slowest small ships.
Can anyone comment who are flying faster big ships like clipper and such?
The Eagle is a fast ship in comparison to the lumbering traders' ship.
In my time in my Fer-De-Lance, a pretty fast medium ship, I didn't get scanned often. Even in my current anaconda, I don't seem to get scanned every time I arrive, though this might be because I developped a way to enter stations speedily with it.
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And all that will come to a screeching halt when they'll start handing out fines for "speeding" in 1.3. Didn't they say anything over 100 was going to be the limit before you got fined? I'm sure cops won't stop at a quick ticket they'll want to scan... and shoot.
Hmm, true the larger ship the larger signature and you are more likely to be scanned. I've been good in Vulture, Viper etc.... but in transport ships or ASP, im scanned almost everytime.
Only if you crash into someone.
It's still going to be based on a speed limit , but the level of 'fine' given will be based on damage done if your'e above that speed limit.
The three factors are size, range and heat.
Size because larger ships are more likely to be scanned.
Range because the ability to target something depends on it. If you dock quickly enough they won't get close enough.
And heat, because the more heat you give off, the further away they can target you from.
The T7, particularly one without major module upgrades, is not a small ship, is pretty slow and gives off more heat.
All that said, I do believe there are algorithms that determine whether authorities will scan us or not. And it wouldn't surprise me if part of that was a reduction in scanning frequency over time where no crimes are committed. And it wouldn't surprise me if that was reset when you get caught.
The thing is, I've started a new commander recently. His ships have been sidewinder, eagle, Viper and now vulture. I don't actually remember being scanned once.
So I'm starting to believe the update that made smaller ships less conspicuous might have been overdone.
Size because larger ships are more likely to be scanned.
Range because the ability to target something depends on it. If you dock quickly enough they won't get close enough.
And heat, because the more heat you give off, the further away they can target you from.
The T7, particularly one without major module upgrades, is not a small ship, is pretty slow and gives off more heat.
All that said, I do believe there are algorithms that determine whether authorities will scan us or not. And it wouldn't surprise me if part of that was a reduction in scanning frequency over time where no crimes are committed. And it wouldn't surprise me if that was reset when you get caught.
The thing is, I've started a new commander recently. His ships have been sidewinder, eagle, Viper and now vulture. I don't actually remember being scanned once.
So I'm starting to believe the update that made smaller ships less conspicuous might have been overdone.
In 1.2 they changed the scanning dynamics so that smaller ships get scanned less. This gives Sidewinders/Eagles/Adders an advantage for smuggling. Smuggling in a great big cargo ship like a T7 is now going to involve extra sneakiness. Modules off and cooldown time, Silent Running, braking closer to the slot. It could make some interesting collisions occur when the 1.3 ramming rules come in. I'z not a greif0rz. I'z smuggR!
I'z not a greif0rz. I'z smuggR!
Scan Detected
Chaff
Dock
Simples?
Oddly enough, chaff doesn't seem to affect the cop's / station's scanners.
Works for me. *shrugs*
Trick is not to fire the chaff pre-emptively - that doesn't stop them scanning, you have to wait for the "Scan Detected" message
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Have you checked your ship Integrity?
There was a mechanic in Beta (which may still be in there) where having a ship Integrity of less than 100% caused you to be more likely to be scanned, to represent System Authority ships checking out ships that looked less than reputable...
you can check it by going into a station and clicking on the 'Repairs' tab.
Hmm I never checked the integrity, though I only flew the T7 for a day while grinding the last bit needed for a discounted Python, I should also mention, that the security would also scan me while I was docked right after refilling my hold from the market, and not just once but multiple times.