If you're willing to sink money into a scanner, why not sink it into paying some guys to watch over your base, or sit as guard/scouts for you while you work on base stuff. Lots of freelancers are around that would keep watch for you I'm sure. Set up a registration board and you'll know whos willing and who's available to jump on and help you out. More money for players, better for the economy than dumping the money on an NPC base, and increases RP interaction. Win, win, win.