8.3 Comm Badges

The current model SF-issue communicator represents the latest improvement in small subspace radio devices. Its primary role is to maintain voice contact among crewmembers aboard ship and during away missions, and to provide a lock-on node for transporter scanners. Voice contact with other devices, such as the main computers, is also within the communicators' capabilities.

The communicator casing is micro milled carbotanium overlaid with gold and silver alloys in a diffusion-bonding process. The metal alloys serve to complement the aesthetic design of the device, which has been fashioned into the SF emblem.

-Subspace Transceiver Assembly-

The heart of the internal electronics is the subspace transceiver assembly (STA). This circuit incorporates an analog-to-digital voice encoder and low-power subspace field emitter. It is also the same circuit used in devices such as the PADD and tricorder, and shares the same efficient data transmission protocols.

Voice inputs are received by a monofilament pickup-antennae diffusion-bonded to the inner casing and routed to the STA. While the standard STA possesses input channels for other data, the STA`s in comm badges are of a stripped-down model that do not have these options. As all SF communications are normally encrypted, the voice signal pulses are converted by a series of encryption algorithms, These algorithms are changed on a random schedule by SF Command for galaxywide subspace transmissions, and individual starships codes are usually substituted during local away missions.

A sarium krellide crystal rated for two weeks in normal use provides battery power. When close to depletion, a faintly audible sound is emitted by the crystal; recharging is capable via induction methods.

-Communicator Control-

Control of the comm badge while aboard a starship is a matter of habit, mostly. To initiate a voice call, it is simply a matter of tapping the badge to confirm to the STA programming that the call is meant to go out. The tap activates a dermal sensor to relay a power up command to the STA. On starships though, the intraship comm system is constantly monitoring and routing voice transmissions, kind of eliminating the logical need to use comm badges onboard.

The range of the communicator is severely limited, mainly due to the small size of the STA emitter, and the power supply behind it. In transmissions between two stand-alone communications, clear voice signals will propagate only 600 kilometers. This is a tiny fraction of the distance to an orbiting starship, so it is the spacecraft that must become the active partner in order to receive the comm badges lower-power signals, and transmit correspondingly high-power signals to the communicator's receiver.

The comm badge is a line-of-sight device during away missions. Its planet side range may be improved if the magnetic field value is below 1.6 gauss, or mean geologic density is less than 6.56 g\cc. Various EM factors will affect voice and transporter lock. Most remedies to comm interference will take place on the spacecraft side, as there are few user-adjustable controls within the comm badge. In the event of loss of transporter lock, other ship sensors can be brought into play to locate SF member, though the process is a long process, unless massive sensor searches are used.

-User ID Security-

For security purposes, the communicator is personalized for each crewmember, and will respond to his\her\its own bioelectric field and temperature profiles only. If an attempt is made to operate an appropriately programmed device by another crewmember without security override authority, the comm badge will fail to activate. During benign situations, sec codes are changed once a week, depending on the sec officer in charge. During emergency situations or away team operations, codes are changed sometime every 24 hrs, give or take.