Difference between revisions of "HyperWave Broadcaster"

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A '''HyperWave Broadcaster''' or '''Caster''' for short is a device capable of communication and detection at great distances using HyperWaves, perturbations in the [[HyperSpace|HyperSpatial]] medium detectable from TrueSpace, that travel at superluminal speeds from a TrueSpace perspective and allow near-instantaneous communication through the HyperSpatial frame of reference from within TrueSpace.
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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]].  
  
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Though HyperWave transmissions are much more robust than electromagnetic transmissions through TrueSpace or HyperSpace, they can be jammed by transmissions on the same frequency, blocked by force fields like an [[Ur-Quan]] [[slave shield]] (though a very sensitive receiver, such as those contained naturally within [[Chenjesu]] bodies, can detect transmissions from inside a slave shield if the transmission is sufficiently powerful) and tend to lose coherence and dissipate over long range.
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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.{{ref|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.  
  
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Aside from the very subtle ability to detect and transmit HyperWave that evolved naturally within the Chenjesu's crystalline biology, which other species have been unable to reproduce, all spacefaring species use essentially the same principles in HyperWave communication and detection, usually discovered independently near the beginning of a species' atomic age, with some exceptions (such as the [[Humans]]). HyperWave Casters tend to be relatively large, expensive pieces of equipment and are therefore standard for planetary or orbital installations but rarely seen aboard all but the largest starships; most ships tend to restrict themselves to communication using ordinary electromagnetic radiation.
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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 [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Kzer-Za]] and [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah|Kohr-Ah]] have exploited other races' use of HyperWave in order to locate new sentient species to be conquered or eradicated.
  
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HyperWave energy has many interesting properties that make it useful for a number of functions. HyperWave receivers can be used to monitor transmissions in the ordinary electromagnetic spectrum, which leave "shadows" as HyperWave perturbations that travel at superluminal speeds -- this allows intraplanetary communications to be monitored from a distance. Similarly, the passage of starships through HyperSpace leaves HyperWave ripples that can be passively detected from a distance and analyzed in order to track starships from farther away than the visual range by which they can be detected by electromagnetic scanning within HyperSpace.
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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.
  
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Most high-power HyperWave Casters broadcast on certain predetermined frequencies or channels within a limited range, sending out programming from various stations for information, advertising or entertainment. This practice ended in many parts of local space after the invasion of the [[Ur-Quan]] [[Kzer-Za]] and [[Kohr-Ah]] made it extremely dangerous for a species to broadcast its location.
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:''See also: [[Burvixese HyperWave Broadcaster]], [[Umgah HyperWave Broadcaster]]''
  
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See Also: [[Burvixese Hyperwave Broadcaster]], [[Umgah Hyperwave Broadcaster]]
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==Gameplay notes==
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===Uses===
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* Using a Caster in [[HyperSpace]] will cause a [[Melnorme]] [[Trader]] to appear nearby the next day (unless you made them hostile to you).
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* A Caster can be used to communicate with the [[slave-shield]]ed proto-[[Chmmr]] while in orbit of [[Procyon II]].
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* In the [[Alpha Tauri]] star system a Caster can be used to impersonate the [[Ilwrath]] gods [[Dogar and Kazon]].
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==Notes and references==
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{{note|1}}''[[Star Control II]] manual, p. 61 (PC).''
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{{Template:QuestNav}}
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[[Category:Devices]]
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[[Category:Science and technology]]

Latest revision as of 22:35, 21 February 2009

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[edit]

Uses[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

1Star Control II manual, p. 61 (PC).

Game objectives - required items

Sa-Matra Deep Child Egg Case Fragments - Syreen Shuttle - Sun Device - HyperWave Broadcaster
Clear Spindle - Aqua Helix - Rosy Sphere - Ultron - Utwig Bomb
Taalo Shield - Talking Pet (device)
Yehat Rebellion VUX Beast - Shofixti Maidens
QuasiSpace Ur-Quan Warp Pod - QuasiSpace Portal Spawner
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