HyperWave Broadcaster

A HyperWave Broadcaster or Caster for short is a device capable of communication and detection at great distances using HyperWave, radiation of unknown composition that presumably propagates via HyperSpace.

A HyperWave transmission travels at superluminal speeds from a TrueSpace perspective and allows very fast communication from both within TrueSpace and HyperSpace. Another apparent advantage of them is that they can be shielded, thus affording increased security.¹ HyperWave transmissions are distinct from traditional electromagnetic transmissions, though they can be jammed by transmissions on the same frequency, blocked by force fields like an Ur-Quan slave shield (though communication via HyperWave between The Captain and the proto-Chmmr is possible, due to the latter's very sensitive natural HyperWave emitters/receivers, and to the former's powerful HyperWave Caster) and tend to lose coherence and disperse over long distances. For example, after traveling the distance between Rigel and Sol, the Zoq-Fot-Pik scout's transmissions became so dispersed as to be undecipherable. Traditional electromagnetic transmissions are still used occasionally for ship to ship communication, however HyperWave has become the most common means for both long and short range communication.

Aside from the crystalline Chenjesu, who exhibit the innate ability to detect and emit HyperWave transmissions, all spacefaring species use essentially the same principles in HyperWave communication and detection. Powerful HyperWave 'Casters, such as those obtainable in-game, tend to be relatively large, expensive pieces of equipment, but smaller devices are probably installed on many starships as well. Communication via HyperWave usually involves broadcasting on certain predetermined bands or channels. While HyperWave has proved useful for long-range communication, both the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za and Kohr-Ah have exploited other races' use of HyperWave in order to locate new sentient species to be conquered or eradicated.

It is possible that a ship's Hyper-Radar uses HyperWave radiation to detect and track squadrons of starships travelling through HyperSpace similar to traditional radar. However it is incapable of identifying the type and number of starships within the squadron. It is also unknown whether HyperWave receivers can be used to monitor transmissions in the ordinary electromagnetic spectrum, or if traditional radio apparatus is built into the devices separately.

See also: Burvixese HyperWave Broadcaster, Umgah HyperWave Broadcaster

Gameplay notes

Uses

• Using a Caster in HyperSpace will cause a Melnorme Trader to appear nearby the next day (unless you made them hostile to you).
• A Caster can be used to communicate with the slave-shielded proto-Chmmr while in orbit of Procyon II.
• In the Alpha Tauri star system a Caster can be used to impersonate the Ilwrath gods Dogar and Kazon.

Notes and references

¹Star Control II manual, p. 61 (PC).