SHORT WAVE RADIO WAVE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE (SWRWC)

Commonly referred to as the “Weber” among Exohumans in the Beta Age, the Shortwave Communication Device (SWRWC) was a multifunctional tool that became a cornerstone of inter-settlement communication, law enforcement coordination, military operations, and cultural broadcasting on VOI 700 D.

The Weber was used for:

• Inter-Settlement Communication: Settlements shared vital data, such as resource management updates and production quotas, through a combination of shortwave transmissions to GAIA and physical distribution of Shellac Records by Free State Courier Riders.
• 1:1 Private Communication: Individuals used the Weber for direct, real-time communication on private frequencies.
• Law Enforcement: The Guarding Troopers and local law enforcement relied on the Weber for patrol communication and rapid response to emergencies.
• Military Coordination: During the Great War, the Weber was indispensable for battlefield communication, tactical planning, and transmitting emergency alerts.
• Cultural Broadcasting: The device included a radio receiver that allowed settlers to listen to Weber Broadcasting Services, which transmitted news, live music, talk shows, and cultural content every evening from 8 PM to midnight.

The Shortwave Communication Device was developed, produced, and distributed by the Weber Communication Company (WCC), ensuring its availability in every major settlement.

The Shortwave Communication Device (SWRWC) was invented in 2625 by Klaus Weber, along with the concept for the Shortwave Communication Network. Klaus Weber viewed the SWRWC as the user interface of the network and believed that its success would depend on widespread distribution of the device.

The first SWRWC was released in 2626 as a construction kit, priced at 49 Kourou, making it affordable for settlers. Weber’s philosophy was to empower civilians to assemble the device themselves, fostering a sense of connection to the network’s development.

In parallel, the Settler’s Council placed an order for 300 SWRWCs for the Guarding Troopers, which were delivered as a special Guarding Troopers edition—a finished product, unlike the civilian construction kits. These editions were distributed in September 2626, immediately sparking interest among civilian users, who also wanted access to pre-assembled versions.

By November 2626, Weber Communication Company released the first fully assembled SWRWCs for civilian purchase in stores across all four ExoHuman settlements. Priced at 99 Kourou, these devices became an instant success, rapidly expanding the communication network and making the Weber a household item.

The Weber played a pivotal role during the Great War, becoming an essential tool for battlefield coordination and communication. The Guarding Troopers Special Forces and the Volunteer Army of Man (VAM) relied heavily on the device for tactical planning and emergency alerts.

In response to the demands of wartime communication, WCC adapted its production lines to manufacture military-grade SWRWCs, designed to endure extreme battlefield conditions and harsher treatment. These rugged models featured improved range and reinforced components, making them indispensable for front-line commanders.

With the signing of the Peace Treaty in 2631 and the establishment of Communardism, the production of the Shortwave Communication Device was permanently discontinued. The Federal News Agency (FNA), as the federal successor to Weber Communication Company, assumed responsibility for maintaining the existing devices.

In the Gamma Age, strict regulations were imposed on communication technology, and private use of the SWRWC was prohibited. All privately owned devices were confiscated by federal authorities. Today, only a limited number of SWRWCs remain in authorized use, including:

• Federal and Local Sheriffs and their deputies for patrol and crisis response coordination.
• Federal Courier Riders, who use the device for secure long-range communication while transporting sensitive messages.
• Select Members of the Federal Administration, ensuring reliable communication for government operations.

The Shortwave Communication Device (SWRWC), commonly known as the Weber, was available in three distinct models, each designed to meet the specific needs of its users:

• Purpose: Developed for military and law enforcement use.
• Design: Rugged and highly durable, with enhanced weather resistance and reinforced casing for battlefield conditions.

Key Features:

• Military-Grade Encryption for secure communication.
• Extended Frequency Range to ensure reliable operation in remote or high-interference areas.
• Integrated Tactical Light for nighttime operations.
• Compact and Portable: Easily clipped to a utility belt or mounted on tactical gear.

• Purpose: Designed for settlers to facilitate private communication and access to public broadcasts.
• Design: Slim, lightweight, and user-friendly.

Key Features:

• Multi-Channel Support for public and private frequencies.
• Built-in Radio Receiver to access Weber Broadcasting Services.
• Microbial Fuel Cell Power for low-energy, sustainable usage.
• Retractable Antenna for efficient signal operation.

• Purpose: Intended for use in offices and administrative centers for inter-settlement coordination and official communication.
• Design: Larger and stationary, with a robust desktop form factor for continuous operation.

Key Features:

• Enhanced Audio Clarity and a larger speaker for group communication.
• Direct Connection to GAIA Network for instant data transmission.
• Extended Power Reserves for prolonged use without manual recharging.
• Adjustable Frequency Control Panel for managing multiple channels simultaneously.

The Weber was known for its rugged construction, enabling it to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of VOI 700 D. Common features across all models included:

• Durable Casing: Resistant to extreme weather, impact, and electromagnetic interference.
• Low Energy Consumption: Optimized for extended usage with minimal maintenance.
• Multi-Channel Support: Capable of switching between public and private frequencies for general communication, law enforcement coordination, and emergency alerts.
• Built-in Microphone and Speaker: Allowed hands-free operation for convenience and ease of use.

All three models of the Weber shared an advanced, sustainable power system that made them highly reliable even in resource-limited environments:

• Microbial Fuel Cells: Generate electricity through the metabolic processes of microorganisms, breaking down organic material to produce a current.
• Filler Neck: Allows users to input organic materials like plant matter or nutrient solutions as fuel.
• Drain Hole: Facilitates the removal of waste materials, ensuring consistent performance and preventing clogging.
• Mechanical Hand Crank: Serves as a backup power source for emergencies or when microbial fuel supplies are unavailable.

The Weber Communication Company (WCC) managed all aspects of the Shortwave Communication Device (SWRWC), from initial design and production to distribution across settlements. The company’s manufacturing facility in New Kourou ensured that devices were readily available to meet the growing demand during the Beta Age.

Each device was carefully calibrated to work seamlessly within WCC’s shortwave communication network, with relay stations such as the Mount Atrana Communication Outpost amplifying its range across the Asari and Ralar Regions. WCC was not only responsible for manufacturing the devices but also for maintenance and upgrades throughout the Beta Age.

• Recycled Materials from the Last Frontier: The majority of SWRWC units were constructed using scavenged materials salvaged from the crashed spaceship Last Frontier. Components such as metal casings, antennas, and internal circuitry were repurposed from spacecraft systems that were no longer operational.
• Microbial Cultivation: The microbial fuel cells that powered the SWRWC relied on native microorganisms harvested and cultivated from the environment of VOI 700 D, ensuring a sustainable power source.
• Resourceful Adaptation: Due to the lack of ore mining facilities on VOI 700 D, settlers developed creative methods to repurpose and retrofit salvaged materials for building and maintaining the devices.

This ingenuity became a hallmark of ExoHuman engineering, ensuring that even in a resource-scarce environment, vital communication infrastructure could be sustained.

• Finite Resources: The reliance on salvaged materials made every SWRWC precious. Repairs and replacements required expert craftsmanship, as each device needed to be carefully maintained to extend its life. This scarcity added significant value to the devices and placed high importance on resource management.

In the Gamma Age, following the enforcement of the Peace Treaty, the production of the Shortwave Communication Device was permanently discontinued. The Federal News Agency (FNA), as the federal successor to WCC, assumed responsibility for maintaining the remaining devices.

• Beta Age Symbol: The Weber became a household name during the Beta Age, representing human ingenuity and survival in a harsh environment.
• Cultural Connection: Listening to Weber Broadcasting Services on the SWRWC was a daily ritual for many settlers, creating shared experiences and fostering a sense of community.
• Gamma Age Restrictions: The prohibition of private communication devices significantly impacted settler life, reducing direct access to information and reinforcing reliance on centralized federal systems.

The Shortwave Communication Device (SWRWC) offers a wide range of gameplay possibilities, serving as a valuable narrative tool in both Beta Age and Gamma Age campaigns. Here are several ways to integrate it into your adventures:

• Device Sabotage: Players must investigate a damaged SWRWC unit that has disrupted communication between settlements. They may encounter environmental hazards, hostile factions, or unexpected revelations.
• Stolen Tech: A stolen SWRWC containing sensitive frequency data falls into the wrong hands. The players are tasked with tracking and retrieving the device before it’s used for sabotage or espionage.
• Intercepted Broadcasts: Strange transmissions reveal hidden locations, forgotten technology, or secret military operations. Players must uncover the truth while dealing with cryptic messages and dangerous adversaries.

• Repair and Maintenance Missions: Players with technical skills can repair malfunctioning SWRWCs, scavenging for parts and overcoming resource scarcity. These missions can test their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
• Improvised Upgrades: Encourage players to experiment with enhancing the device for special missions—extending its range, adding encryption capabilities, or converting it into a makeshift tracking device.
• Power Source Management: Introduce a survival element where players must find organic material to fuel the SWRWC’s microbial power cell, adding tension to exploration-based adventures.

• Legacy of the Weber: Allow players to uncover old SWRWCs during a Gamma Age campaign, revealing their role in pivotal historical events. This can lead to flashback scenarios or quests to recover lost communication logs.
• Forbidden Technology: Players in the Gamma Age may stumble upon a hidden cache of confiscated SWRWCs. They must decide whether to turn it over to federal authorities or use it for their own purposes.
• Historical Mystery: A broadcast from the Beta Age mysteriously resumes during a Gamma Age campaign, prompting players to investigate its origin and possible implications for the present.

• Exohuman Technology in the Beta Age
• Exohuman communication in the Beta Age
• Exohuman communication in the Gamma Age
• Shortwave Radio Network of the Exohumans
• Klaus Weber
• Weber Communication Company
• Weber Broadcasting Services
• Guarding Troopers
• Uniforms of the Federal Sheriff, Local Sheriffs and their Deputies
• GAIA