Editing Electrical Telegraph

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An [[Electrical Telegraph]] is a point-to-point messaging system, using electrical currents carried by conductive wires across vast distances.
* It is a technological [[device]].
* It is a type of [[Communication Technologies of Charted Space|communications equipment]].
* It is a type of [[Telegraph]] that uses an electrical system.

== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
An electrical telegraph is a type of [[Communication Technologies of Charted Space|communications equipment]] used for signalling using a series of audible tones.
* Signals are carried by a network of conductive wires.
* It is in common usage by {{TL|4}}.
* It requires an electrical charge in order to make it work (stored within a [[battery]] or created by turning a generator handle).

=== Image Repository ===
Key elements of an electrical telegraph system. <br> [[800 px]]

=== Function ===
An electrical telegraph most commonly takes the form of a series of poles with conducting wires strung between them.
* The wires cross vast distances and may be thousands of kilometers long.
* The wires connect distant regions of the surface of a world and allow instantaneous communication between them.
* These wires can be connected directly to a transmitter / receiver, allowing individual communications.

=== Crew ===
A skilled individual with the correct [[equipment]] can link into an electrical telegraph system.
* Operators use portable receiver / transmitter units to communicate.
* Technicians constantly maintain and repair the systems infrastructure of wires.

=== Limitations ===
The electrical telegraph relies on a continuous length of conductive wire running between locations. The wires are fragile and easily damaged: a break in a wire severs communications.
* Wires are prone to the effects of the environment (such as wind and wind-borne debris, water damage, lightning strikes, or animal activity).
* They are easy to deliberately damage.

Wires meet at an Exchange, a hub where specially trained operators are able to connect or isolate different parts of the network.

Telegraph wires often follow existing transportation routes.
* The wires provide an important communication service to travellers along the route.
* Damage to the wires is easier for technicians to locate and repair.

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
[[Telegraph|Elecctrical Telegraph]] technology is first available at {{TL|3}}
* An electrical telegraph is a refinement of earlier technology but reaches its apex at {{TL|4}}. It uses complex machined components to precisely control signalling devices in order to transmit large volumes of data quickly and efficiently.
* Electrical telegraph systems tend to be superseded by other technological advances, such as [[telephone]]s and [[radio]]s at [[TL-5]], and [[electronics|electronic equipment]] by [[TL-6]].

Electrical Telegraphs are commonly used by the military and by government agencies to convey orders, messages, and instructions over long distances.
* Law enforcement routinely use telegraphs.
* Banks and other commercial institutions regularly utilize telegraphs.
* Electrical telegraphs often carry important items of news.
* Messages may be sent by private individuals for a small fee.

=== Coding and Security ===
Very few messages are sent in plain text. Most words and phrases are abbreviated and codes and cyphers are routinely employed.
* It is common to use long tones and short tones (dots and dashes) as the structure for messages. Each set of tones corresponds to a letter, number, or phrase.

Basic images may be transmitted using electrical telegraph systems - long tones denote a dark spot and short tones denote a light area. These can be used to create a simple picture.

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Intermediate}}
{{Sources
|S1= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus [[User: Alagoric|Adie Alegoric Stewart]] of the [[IISS]]
}}


{{LEN|Communication|Device}}