Difference between revisions of "Communicator"
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A '''communicator''' is a small transmitter and receiver that sends signals through [[subspace]], allowing real-time communications between an orbiting [[starship]] and an [[away team]] on a planet's surface | [[File:Communicator TOS.jpg|thumb|right|23rd-century Federation communicator]] | ||
[[File:Communicator TNG.jpg|thumb|right|24th-century Federation communicator]] | |||
A '''communicator''' is a small transmitter and receiver that sends signals through [[subspace]], allowing real-time communications between an orbiting [[starship]] and an [[away team]] on a planet's surface. | |||
While they have at least enough range to reach a ship in orbit, communicator transmissions do not penetrate dense materials well. If a starship's internal communication system fails, individual communicators are not sufficient to provide ship-wide communication through the ship's bulkheads. A variety of other phenomena, including electromagnetic radiation and various types of particle radiation, can interfere with communicator transmissions. | While they have at least enough range to reach a ship in orbit, communicator transmissions do not penetrate dense materials well. If a starship's internal communication system fails, individual communicators are not sufficient to provide ship-wide communication through the ship's bulkheads.<ref>[[TNG]] "Disaster"</ref> A variety of other phenomena, including electromagnetic radiation and various types of particle radiation, can interfere with communicator transmissions. | ||
In the 23rd century, a communicator was a hand-held device normally carried in a case attached to the user's belt. In the 24th century, communicators have been further miniaturized and built into the insignia worn on [[Starfleet]] uniforms. 24th-century communicators also serve as [[transponder]]s, allowing a friendly starship to locate a functioning communicator at will. | In the 23rd century, a communicator was a hand-held device normally carried in a case attached to the user's belt. In the 24th century, communicators have been further miniaturized and built into the insignia worn on [[Starfleet]] uniforms. 24th-century communicators also serve as [[transponder]]s, allowing a friendly starship to locate a functioning communicator at will. A 24th century communicator can also serve as a [[information security|security token]], allowing restricted commands -- such as control of security [[force field]]s -- to be issued by voice through the communicator.<ref>TNG "The Hunted"</ref> | ||
Because it serves as a transponder, a communicator will allow a friendly [[transporter]] system to lock onto the wearer and beam them up. Many phenomena can interfere with this feature and prevent transport, however, indicating that a standard communicator does not have [[pattern enhancer|pattern enhancement]] features built in. | |||
==Unusual Applications== | |||
[[Worf]] once modified a communicator to generate a personal [[force field]] during a [[holodeck]] simulation gone awry.<ref>TNG "A Fist Full of Datas"</ref> As nothing similar has been seen in any other situation, it's possible that he just used it to hack into the holodeck's own force field generators to make them create his personal shield. | |||
==Notes== | |||
<references /> | |||
[[Category: Star Trek]] | [[Category: Star Trek]] | ||
[[Category: ST Other Technology]] | [[Category: ST Other Technology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:02, 28 July 2023
A communicator is a small transmitter and receiver that sends signals through subspace, allowing real-time communications between an orbiting starship and an away team on a planet's surface.
While they have at least enough range to reach a ship in orbit, communicator transmissions do not penetrate dense materials well. If a starship's internal communication system fails, individual communicators are not sufficient to provide ship-wide communication through the ship's bulkheads.[1] A variety of other phenomena, including electromagnetic radiation and various types of particle radiation, can interfere with communicator transmissions.
In the 23rd century, a communicator was a hand-held device normally carried in a case attached to the user's belt. In the 24th century, communicators have been further miniaturized and built into the insignia worn on Starfleet uniforms. 24th-century communicators also serve as transponders, allowing a friendly starship to locate a functioning communicator at will. A 24th century communicator can also serve as a security token, allowing restricted commands -- such as control of security force fields -- to be issued by voice through the communicator.[2]
Because it serves as a transponder, a communicator will allow a friendly transporter system to lock onto the wearer and beam them up. Many phenomena can interfere with this feature and prevent transport, however, indicating that a standard communicator does not have pattern enhancement features built in.
Unusual Applications
Worf once modified a communicator to generate a personal force field during a holodeck simulation gone awry.[3] As nothing similar has been seen in any other situation, it's possible that he just used it to hack into the holodeck's own force field generators to make them create his personal shield.