Tag: communication

Is there a communication device, handheld, that someone could use to communicate with someone on a different planet? My character is trying to be discreet while conversing with the Rebellion on Yavin 4.

Sorry to say, there is no such device. Anything sending transmissions that far needs a bigger power source than, say, a comlink. However, you could do a couple things. One, get a regular old comlink message to someone who has access to a subspace or hyperwave transceiver, someone within about 50 klicks of your character. Two, have the character themselves get to a more powerful transmitter, like you would find on a ship or maybe a private building.

It’s also important to note that the Empire shut down large portions of the HoloNet (the network used to carry hyperwave transmissions), causing the Rebellion a lot of trouble when it came to communicating with each other. It also didn’t cover a lot of the Outer Rim, but there were secret channels used by the rebels. Subspace transmissions were not routed through the HoloNet, but they did take significantly longer to reach their destination, and they were easier to intercept. Think about which would work better for your story.

I hope that helps!

~ Jacen

Hey, so I’m writing a story (obviously) and I’m really confused on some of the technology our Star Wars friends use, and what they’re called. For example, the little devices the Clones carry in Episode III during Order 66. They produce a hologram/message, and then there’s also the device that played Galen’s message in Rogue One. I was wondering if there were any specific terms for these types of devices?

These are called holoprojectors. They can come in a bunch of different sizes, but they’re generally all called the same thing. There are some instances of handheld holoprojectors being referred to as holopads (which comes from the term holoprojector pads). If you’re talking about, for example, the ones the clones carry, it’s your choice which term to use.

On that note, I’ve been working on a list of vocabulary which will be linked in my blog description and home page when it goes up. If you or anyone else would like to suggest stuff to include, go ahead and do it! @pomrania especially, because you gave me the idea to do it in the first place.

I hope that helps, and don’t be afraid to ask if you need more help with terminology!

~ Jacen