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: Settlers used it to coordinate resource allocation, security updates, and daily affairs between settlements.
• 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.

• Form Factor: A slim, rectangular unit made of lightweight yet durable metal, capable of withstanding the harsh environmental conditions of VOI 700 D.

Components:

• Retractable Antenna: Ensures efficient signal operation.
• Frequency Knob: Allows precise tuning of the shortwave spectrum.
• Transmit/Receive Switch: Facilitates seamless communication.
• Built-in Microphone and Speaker: Enables convenient hands-free operation.

The SWRWC incorporates advanced and sustainable power solutions:

• Microbial Fuel Cells: Generates 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.
• Drain Hole: Facilitates the removal of waste materials, ensuring consistent performance.
• Mechanical Hand Crank: Serves as a reliable backup power source in emergencies or when fuel supplies are unavailable.

• Durable Construction: Built to withstand extreme weather and electromagnetic conditions.
• Low Energy Consumption: Operated on microbial fuel cells, enabling 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.
• Portable and Compact: Designed to be easily carried, making it essential for patrolling law enforcement officers, courier riders, and settlers traveling between settlements.

The device also included a radio receiver, allowing settlers to listen to daily broadcasts from Weber Broadcasting Services, which transmitted news, cultural programs, and critical information.

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.

• Device Sabotage: Players must investigate a damaged SWRWC unit that has disrupted settlement communications.
• Stolen Tech: A stolen SWRWC with sensitive frequency data risks falling into the wrong hands, requiring retrieval.
• Battlefield Coordination: Players in a Great War campaign can use SWRWC devices to coordinate troop movements and outmaneuver Native forces.

• Repair Missions: Introduce scenarios where players repair or repurpose malfunctioning devices using limited resources.
• Improvised Upgrades: Players can experiment with enhancing SWRWC functionality for specific missions, such as extending range or encrypting signals.

• Highlight the evolution of SWRWC technology from the Beta Age to the Gamma Age, allowing players to uncover its history and influence in shaping ExoHuman society.

• Exohuman communication in the Beta Age
• Exohuman communication in the Gamma Age
• Uniforms of the Federal Sheriff, Local Sheriffs and their Deputies