A system for seismic data acquisition includes data recorders that lack external electrical connectors. A seismic data recorder includes a housing. Within the housing the seismic data recorder includes circuitry configured to detect and digitize seismic signals and communication circuitry. The communication circuitry includes a first transmitter plate adjacent a wall of the housing, and a first driver coupled to the first transmitter plate. The communication circuitry configured to communicate the digitized seismic signals to a data retrieval unit that is external to the data acquisition unit via a capacitor formed by the first transmitter plate, the wall of the housing, and a receiver plate external to the housing.