[Whiskeyjack]

Can you put a dongle on one?

I don't think there has ever been resolution with this. On the one hand, RCCs are described as upjumped, specialized commlinks. On the other hand, they are not actually commlinks (they're RCCs), and dongles go on commlinks.

Either way, fuck dongles.

[Hobbes]

Wouldn't it be better to run them off of a RCC? Can you put a dongle on one?

If the only thing a Drone is doing is Recon then you've got no need for an RCC.  If your drone was doing the shooting, then the RCC becomes an important piece of gear, and btw, you're then a drone Rigger.  Nothing wrong with being a drone rigger but the OP specifically said that the character would be doing the shooting.  The drones are doing a bit of recon for the Sniper. 

Now if your small drones were doing the recon for a shot from a Sniper Rifle equipped Roto-Drone....

[Finstersang]

If you want to do more than just recon with your insect drones, you might want to have a look at Rigger 5.

First, there´s the Nozquito, another Insectoid Drone that can disturb enemies with blinding lights and deafening noises that can stack up to ridiculously high modficators. While the stacking rule will probably be nerfed either by errata or your GM, it´s still a fun and also quite cheap option.

Also, there are new ways to equip drones (although the devs forgot the prices and more precise rules  ) with smaller weaponry. Mikro syringes for injecting Narcoject and other compounds into unsuspecting guards come to mind. "These goddamn mosquitoes ... Huh... Wha...?" *Thud*

[Kuirem]

Would it be better? Yes because you can control them directly with the RCC using your Reaction and Piloting skill. Would it be worth the price of a RCC? I don't think so, especially if you want one with a good enough Firewall to resist Hackers.

[Hobbes]

Firewall, shmirewall, Transys Avalon with Stealth dongle 1, and a Program Carrier running Virtual Machine with Stealth and Smoke and Mirrors.  Hide those Recon Drones!    :  )

Mini and Micro Drones are pretty much toast once spotted.  Hide them as best you can and consider them disposable. 

[Whiskeyjack]

Firewall, shmirewall, Transys Avalon with Stealth dongle 1, and a Program Carrier running Virtual Machine with Stealth and Smoke and Mirrors.  Hide those Recon Drones!    :  )

This is exactly why dongles are degenerate for the game

[Hobbes]

Firewall, shmirewall, Transys Avalon with Stealth dongle 1, and a Program Carrier running Virtual Machine with Stealth and Smoke and Mirrors.  Hide those Recon Drones!    :  )

This is exactly why dongles are degenerate for the game

That and Smoke and Mirrors.  +5 Sleaze for +5 Noise seems sorta balanced until you figure out that even a lowbrow street samie can counter 5 noise without much difficulty.  Tack on the fact the you don't even really need that much noise cancellation because you don't really care about matrix penalties...

[CoyoteNZ]

I've got a question about the build/concept guys...

The OP wants to take the shot himself, and be using the drones for eyes and ears all over the place for himself and his party.

Can he use drones for firing solutions?

Can he be perched on the roof of the building next door, and take a sniper shot through the wall (reducing damage for going through the wall naturally) and hit a target he has no eyes on, but his drones have eyes on.

Rather than blind fire penalties, can he use the drones eyes for his shooting. Can he have smart Li is on them or stuff.

Just basically wondering (mechanic wise) how can his drones help his shooting other than just telling him their are targets in the building?

[Hobbes]

Yes you can use Drones or Cameras or other team members to sight your target.  Situation isn't specifically covered RAW so your GM makes the call as to what the modifiers are.  Blind Fire seems applicable, as does cover, shooting through barriers, and potentially defender unaware.  Your GMs mileage may vary though.