The Shortwave Radio Network is the backbone of Exohuman communication on VOI 700 D, developed and maintained by the Weber Communication Company (WCC). It became the primary means of long-distance communication, enabling settlement coordination, emergency response, trade, and public broadcasting after the settlers lost access to digital networks due to the crash of the Last Frontier.

Unlike Earth, where instantaneous quantum communication was the norm, the ExoHumans on VOI 700 D had no internet or satellite infrastructure, making shortwave radio the only viable alternative. This system played a crucial role in ensuring inter-settlement cooperation, allowing settlers to exchange vital information, security alerts, and cultural content.

By the Gamma Age, the network was nationalized and heavily controlled by the Federal Confederation, restricting civilian use.

• Year Founded: 2625
• Founder: Klaus Weber, a visionary communication engineer and ExoHuman technology specialist.
• Headquarters: New Kourou
• Mission: To establish a reliable shortwave communication network for ExoHuman settlements and provide news and entertainment via Weber Broadcasting Services (WBS).

The Weber Communication Company (WCC) was a pioneer in ExoHuman communications, developing the first and only planetary-wide communication network following the crash. Klaus Weber, recognizing the absence of internet infrastructure, spearheaded efforts to build a long-range shortwave system that could operate without reliance on Quantum Fusion Batteries (QFBs). Instead, Weber assured the Settler’s Council that his team would develop a network powered by alternative energy sources such as:

• Wind turbines
• Microbial fuel cells
• Geothermal power (e.g., Firetown Relay Station)
• Solar-adaptive panels

While this design allowed ExoHumans to preserve QFBs for critical life-support systems, it also made the network susceptible to disruptions caused by storms, volcanic activity, and prolonged twilight conditions. Nonetheless, the deployment of the Shortwave Radio Network without tapping into the already scarce QFB reserves remains one of the greatest engineering feats of the Beta Age.

The Shortwave Radio Network was created to replace the planetary internet that settlers could not establish due to the crash of the Last Frontier. The Free State of Settlers attempted to restore digital infrastructure, but several barriers made it impossible:

• Loss of Quantum Servers: The ship’s data centers and communication arrays were destroyed or unrecoverable, making it impossible to establish a global data network.
• No Satellites: Unlike Earth, VOI 700 D had no orbital satellite infrastructure, preventing large-scale digital connectivity.
• Energy Constraints: Internet infrastructure requires constant high-power servers—VOI 700 D’s solar, wind, and microbial energy sources were too unstable to support a continuous high-speed network.

As a result, ExoHumans turned to shortwave radio as the only feasible communication system.

The Shortwave Radio Network was built around a decentralized relay system, ensuring reliable transmission across settlements.

Each settlement housed a primary relay station, responsible for amplifying and transmitting signals to remote areas.

• New Kourou Relay Station – The administrative hub of the network, linking all settlements.
• Firetown Relay Station – Powered by the Geothermal Power Plant ensuring stability despite the extreme conditions of the Ralar Region.
• Hope Relay Station – Agricultural coordination hub, providing weather updates and trade communications.
• Morningstar Relay Station – Powered by wind-turbines for coordination in the Atrana Mountains.

Located in the Atrana Mountains, the Mount Atrana Communication Outpost served as the primary signal amplifier, ensuring:

• Long-range communication between settlements and exploration teams.
• Emergency signals for distress calls.
• Broadcast stability in remote areas.

The Weber Communication Company produced different models of the Shortwave Communication Device (SWRWC), commonly known as the Weber, tailored for different user groups.

• Special Edition for Guarding Troopers
• Purpose: Military and law enforcement use.
• Design: Rugged, durable, resistant to extreme conditions.
• Key Features: Military-Grade Encryption for secure messages. Extended Frequency Range for long-distance patrol coordination. Integrated Tactical Light for low-visibility operations. Compact Design for easy attachment to gear.

• Civilian Edition for Public Use
• Purpose: Personal communication and public broadcasts.
• Design: Lightweight, easy to use.
• Key Features: Multi-Channel Support for general and private frequencies. Built-in Radio Receiver for accessing Weber Broadcasting Services. Microbial Fuel Cell Power for low-energy, sustainable use. Retractable Antenna for improved signal reception.

• Desktop Edition for Administrative Use
• Purpose: Government, business, and settlement coordination.
• Design: Stationary, with extended power reserves.
• Key Features: Enhanced Audio Clarity for group communication. Direct Connection to GAIA for official transmissions. Adjustable Frequency Panel for monitoring multiple channels.