Communication and Interface Gear

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Basic Set

Batteries (TL6). $1, neg.

Cell Phone (TL8). Only works in some areas; $20/month fee. $250, 0.25 lb., 10 hrs.

Computer, Laptop (TL8). Modem plugs into phone. $1,500, 3 lbs., 2 hrs.

Computer, Wearable (TL8). Display glasses and wireless modem. $1,000, 2 lbs., 8 hrs.

Drum (TL0). Audible for several miles. $40, 2 lbs.

Mini-Recorder (TL7). Palm-sized, with 3-hour tape (extra tapes are $5). $200, 0.5 lb.

Mini-Recorder, Digital (TL8). As above, but without the tape! $30, 0.5 lb.

Radio, Backpack (TL7). VHF radio. 20-mile range. $6,000, 15 lbs., 12 hrs.

Radio, Hand (TL7). Classic "walkie-talkie." 2-mile range. $100, 1 lb., 12 hrs.

Radio, Headset (TL8). With throat mike. 1-mile range. Multiply cost by 10 for secure, encrypted version. $500, 0.5 lb., 12 hrs.

Satellite Phone (TL8). Global range, satellite relay. $3,000, 3 lbs., 1 hr.

Scribe's Kit (TL3). Quills, inkbottles, penknife, paper. $50, 2 lbs.

Transistor Radio (TL7). Receive-only; picks up radio stations. $15, 0.5 lb., 8 hrs.

TV Set, Mini (TL7). 5" × 5" flatscreen. $150, 3 lbs., 4 hrs.

Typewriter, Manual (TL6). $200, 10 lbs.

Wax Tablet (TL1). For writing; erasable. $10, 2 lbs.

High-Tech

TODO

Bio-Tech

TODO

Ultra-Tech

People want to be connected and entertained, and they won't often buy specialized devices. They prefer multi-function and cheap. Personal goods could merge to just a single do-everything gadget.

Communications

Comphone (TL9)

The next evolution of the personal communicator, this device consists of a tiny computer with the compact and slow options (Complexity 2), a data player, a GPS receiver, and a network-only radio microcomm and tiny radio receiver. They're so small, they usually come as a medallion, wristband, or badge with "stick pad" backing (see Gecko Adhesive Technology). Comphones have a tiny screen and some buttons, but their main interface is voice or an external input. $15, 0.08 lbs., 2A/16 hrs. LC4.

A more expensive version with a real datapad, full tiny radio, and a regular computer (Complexity 3): $100, 0.2 lbs., 2B/48 hrs. LC4.

At TL10, comphones include a laser microcomm to access a building's internal network at maximum bandwidth. The expensive version also includes an inertial compass. Cheap TL10 comphone (Complexity 4): $35, 0.08 lbs., 2A/16 hrs. LC4. Expensive TL10 comphone (Complexity 5): $150, 0.2 lbs., B/24 hrs. LC4.

Earbud (TL9)

This earplug contains a radio microcomm with a deliberately shorter range (10 yards), a speaker, and a filtered external pickup that gives +1 to resist loud noises. Used as a headset for a comphone or data player. Double cost for two connected by a short length of optical cable. $2, neg., non-rechargeable AA/2000 hrs. LC4.

Vid Glasses (TL9)

Tough sunglasses incorporate a HUD, earbuds (above), and the same camera as a flatcam. A cheaper alternative to "night shades." Provides DR 2 to eyes. $60, 0.1 lbs., A/10 hrs. LC4.

Laser Communicators (TL9)

"Laser comms" use a modulated multi-frequency laser beam to transmit a highly-directional signal. The narrow beam and line-of-sight requirement makes it hard to eavesdrop on a laser comm signal; someone must be in the direct path of the beam to intercept it. The beam is invisible and eye-safe, and tunes itself automatically to penetrate snow, fog, etc. Laser comms may be tuned to use blue-green frequencies to reach underwater. The signal range is 1% of normal underwater, with a maximum range of 200 yards. Due to their range and directionality, laser comms are favored by soldiers and adventurers for secure line of sight communication. All incorporate gyrostabilized tracking systems to help maintain communications. They're also often installed on building rooftops or pylons for secure comm links; such "free space optics" can be a cheaper solution than stringing fiber optics. The data transfer rate is 1 TB per minute.

Very Large (TL9): 50,000-mile range. $40,000, 400 lbs., external power. LC3.

Large (TL9): 5,000-mile range. $10,000, 50 lbs., 2D/10 hr. LC3.

Medium (TL9): 500-mile range. $2,000, 5 lbs., 2C/10 hr. LC4.

Small (TL9): 50-mile range. $400, 0.5 lbs., 2B/10 hr. LC4.

Tiny (TL9): 5-mile range. $100, 0.05 lbs., 2A/10 hr. LC4.

Micro (TL9): 1,000-yard range, but usually broadcasts at lower output with a range of five to 10 yards. $20, neg., AA/100 hr. LC4.

Ranges are doubled at TL10, multiplied by 5 at TL11, and multiplied by 10 at TL12.

Radio Communicators (TL9)

These broadcast communicators use radio waves. All incorporate spread-spectrum technology in which communications clarity and reliability is improved by spreading the signal over a range of frequencies. The frequency hopping also keeps the transmitter from being "bright" in any given frequency, making it very hard to detect.

Radio range may drop by a factor of 10 in urban environments or underground. The data transfer rate is 0.1 GB per minute, but range drops significantly (divide by 10) when transmitting real-time audio-visual signals.

Very Large (TL9): 10,000-mile range. $20,000, 400 lbs., external power. LC3.

Large (TL9): 1,000-mile range. $4,000, 50 lbs., 2D/10 hr. LC3.

Medium (TL9): 100-mile range. $1,000, 5 lbs., 2C/10 hr. LC3.

Small (TL9): 10-mile range. $200, 0.5 lbs., 2B/10 hr. LC4.

Tiny (TL9): 1-mile range. $50, 0.05 lbs., 2A/10 hr. LC4.

Micro (TL9): 200-yard range, but usually broadcasts at lower output with a range of one to two yards. $10, neg., AA/100 hr. LC4.

Ranges are doubled at TL10, multiplied by 5 at TL11, and multiplied by 10 at TL12.

Laser-Retinal Imaging (TL9)

Any laser communicator with this hardware upgrade may beam graphics or text files directly into the retina of a single eye. It's tricky to aim; treat as a ranged-weapon attack aimed at the eye (-9 to hit), but assume the laser has Acc 12, or Acc 18 if mounted on a tripod or vehicle. Roll Electronics Operation (Communications) to hit. If the subject is standing still or walking slowly, the laser can continue to track once a hit is achieved (i.e., no further rolls are required).

The subject doesn't need a communicator to receive a signal, making this a good way to send covert messages over a few miles. However, he can interrupt a retina message by closing his eyes or turning his head. Glare-resistant optics will also filter out a message.

Another disadvantage is that the laser can only send images. It can flicker several hundred images per second, but most subjects would only see a blur at that speed – the subject's comprehension limits the data-transfer rate. Sending text limits the transmission to the subject's reading speed (which the sender must estimate!). Since the transmission is one-way, the sender may have no idea whether the subject read the information.

Fitting a laser comm with the computer chips for laser-retinal imaging costs $1,000, but adds no weight. LC3.

Neutrino Communicators (TL10^/11^)

This directional communicator uses a modulated beam of neutrinos (or anti-neutrinos). It is nearly impossible to jam or intercept, and functions in any environment – it can reach underwater or penetrate solid objects at no penalty, and isn't blocked by the horizon.

Neutrino transmission uses specialized particle accelerators; at TL11, these are fairly compact. However, at non-superscience TLs, neutrino detection requires massive installations. At TL8, a typical detector contains several hundred thousand gallons of industrial cleaning liquid and is buried nearly a mile underground. Using superscience, much more compact receivers are available, using force fields or hyperdense matter.

The data transfer rate is 1 TB/minute. Only very large comms are available at TL10^, with all sizes (except micro) at TL11^.

Very Large (TL10^/11^): 100,000-mile range at TL10, or 1,000,000 miles at TL11^. $500,000, 400 lbs., external power. LC3.

Large (TL11^): 100,000-mile range. $100,000, 50 lbs., 2D/10 hr. LC3.

Medium (TL11^): 10,000-mile range. $20,000, 5 lbs., 2C/10 hr. LC4.

Small (TL11^): 1,000-mile range. $5,000, 0.5 lbs., 2B/10 hr. LC4.

Tiny (TL11^): 100-mile range. $1,000, 0.05 lbs., 2A/10 hr. LC4.

Ranges double at TL12.

Translators

These translators are small enough to fit in a pocket or on a lapel. They run two language programs and a non-volitional AI, translating in real time and matching the user's speech patterns. Use the AI's IQ to determine how well it handles idiom, jargon, and colloquialisms.

Field Translator (TL9)

A high-capacity, fast, small computer with a datapad terminal and the culture's full range of microcomms. The complexity 5 computer runs an IQ 6 non-volitional AI (IQ 10 at TL10, IQ 12 at TL11, IQ 14 at TL12) and two Native-level spoken or visual language translation programs. It can store 100 Native-level spoken language databases (multiply by 1,000 each further TL), which must be purchased separately. $3,000 plus the cost of software, 0.6 lbs., 2B/20 hrs. LC4.

Translator Disk (TL10)

A much smaller version of the field translator (above), this is a high-capacity tiny computer, a small sonic projector, a mini-camera, and the culture's full range of microcomms. It can store 10,000 Native-level spoken language databases (multiply by 1,000 each further TL). The sonic projector can be set to allow only the target to hear the translation (for crowded spaceport bars and embassy cocktail parties); otherwise, the computer's infra- and ultrasonic-capable speaker is used. It has IQ 6 at TL10 and increases by 2 every further TL. It comes as a stick-on medallion or earpiece. It's similar to the field translator in all other respects. $150 plus the cost of software, 0.125 lbs., B/36 hrs. LC4.