Maser Communicator

Maser Communicator
Communications Device
Type	Communications Gear
Tech Level	TL–8
Cost	Cr1,000
Size	Varies
Weight	Varies
Manufacturer	Various
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A Maser Communicator is a technological device for sending and receiving signals and messages.

• It is a type of Communications Equipment.

Description / Specifications

Maser is an acronym for "microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". A maser communicator is an electromagnetic (microwave) communicator in which the energy source is a magnetron whose beam is modulated for voice, video, or data communication over wide information bandwidths.

• A maser communicator is an Active device.
• Maser communicators transmit a tight beam signal.
• A maser communicator is a line of sight device.
  • The transmitter must know the precise position of the receiver in order to conduct communications.
• Maser communicators receive transmissions via a microwave-sensitive receiving array.
  • Although transmissions can be blocked by intervening terrain such as mountains or stars, masers are far less affected by disruptions such as Sandcaster clouds or weather systems.

History & Background / Dossier

Maser Communicators are available from TL-8 onwards.

The power of a maser communicator determines its effective broadcast range – the distance to which a signal beam will carry before it is sufficiently degraded to be indistinguishable from natural background noise and static.

• Small portable maser communicators are available. They are usually equipped with tripods or other stablization gear.
• Larger maser communicator systems may be fitted aboard vehicles and spacecraft, with effective beam transmission ranges measured in millions or even billions of km.

A maser communicator is limited by realspace physics. The microwave beam that the device produces takes time to reach its target.

• A beam travels at approximately 300,000 km per second. For example, a microwave communicator attempting to conduct a conversation with a target at a distance of 6 million km will have a signal delay of 20 seconds (20 seconds for the microwave beam to reach the target). Any reply will also take 20 seconds to travel back.

References & Contributors / Sources

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• MegaTraveller Referee's Manual, (Game Designers Workshop 1987)
• Traveller The New Era: Fire, Fusion, & Steel, (Game Designers Workshop 1994)
• T5 Core Rules, Far Future Enterprises 2013
• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science