I'm not sure if it was suggested before, I mean not simple in-game chat, but with help pip-boy, quest and caps.
If someone will say it's not in priority, then it could be done later I just want to give idea how it can work + I'm not sure what part of development it'll take, I don't think devs who making balancing will do that, it means it won't slow down balancing thing.
http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Pip-Boy_2000Its primary uses are monitoring the user's health and mapping the surrounding terrain via powerful satellite uplinks (where available) and sonar imaging (with the option to call up large map blocks of several hundred miles). Other features include a buddy chat program, timer and alarm function, cabling extensions to motion sensors as well as a personal log system, reading material storage and even simple games.
Here's original Pip-Boy:
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081206231731/fallout/images/c/c2/Fallout_PIP-Boy_2000.jpgEvery character that has been created will have the same pip-boy as now.
But, if you bring to Renesco glasses which you should find... somewhere... he'll reward you on your choice:
1) You asking for reward, and Renesco says "Thanks" and giving some jet and XP.
2) You can say that it wasn't a problem and you don't need anything, and:
2a) If you don't have 5k caps in inventory he saying "Thanks" and giving a bit more XP.
2b) If you have 5k caps in inventory he offering to you to buy and implement into pip-boy chat system.
2c) If you have 5k caps and don't want chat system, then Renesco does 2a.
Pip-boy chat system:
Allows to you to add wastelanders there if they have this system too, if they don't have it, or player doesn't exist, pip-boy will say that accound is incorrect.
Adding player there allows to you to talk to him with:
/b
/c
or something.
This option will allow you to add one or more players who will hear you from that system.
Quest shouldn't require anything to start, anyone with any stats and skills and level can start this quest, you only need to find these glasses somehow (or do something else for Renesco)... and have 5k caps.
It'll look like that (I made all copy-paste of fonts and etc. with help paintbrush... so yeah, it doesn't look good, probably):
http://a.imageshack.us/img707/6016/35053329.jpg+there can be added statuses of GM-team, if GM don't want to be visible to catch fast reloggers and dual loggers, his status always will be "Unknown".