Fixed part-portable part communications network for a security network

A communications network for a security network comprising:

• a master base unit with a controller function, said master base unit configured to operate as a radio master, said master base unit communicating with a plurality of security network transponders, said master base unit communicating with at least one external communications network;
• and said master base unit being reconfigurable to be a slave base unit;
• and
• at least one slave base unit with a controller function, said at least one slave base unit communicating with the master base unit, said at least one slave base unit communicating with a plurality of security network transponders, said at least one slave base unit communicating with at least one external communications network, and said at least one slave base unit being reconfigurable to be a master base unit;
• wherein if a master base unit is reconfigured to no longer act as the master base unit, then a slave base unit is reconfigured to act as the master base unit.