Wireless: the Colonial communication technology
Wireless was the Colonial term for communication systems that linked stations without any physical connection. It spanned short range ship to ship and planet to ship contact as well as the longer range broadcasts of Colonial news and entertainment.
Wireless was a Colonial term describing communication systems that were connected without any physical connection between stations. It encompassed both short range communication, such as ship to ship or planet to ship contact, and the medium to long range broadcast methods used by Colonial news and entertainment. (Battlestar Galactica miniseries)
Function#
Wireless appears to use the same electromagnetic spectrum as real-world radio, shortwave band included. A passenger aboard Colonial Heavy 798 heard the news of Caprica's bombing on a shortwave wireless, and Viper pilots carry handheld wireless sets in their ejection survival kits. (Battlestar Galactica miniseries; Battlestar Galactica, "You Can't Go Home Again")
Security#
Inside Galactica, Adama's ban on networked systems meant the crew used hardwired phones and the public address system rather than wireless links, leaving the Cylons nothing to break into. Ships, Raptors and Vipers still used wireless to talk to one another. (Battlestar Galactica miniseries)
Frequently asked questions
- What was wireless in Colonial usage?
- Wireless was a Colonial term describing communication systems connected without any physical connection between stations. It encompassed both short range communication, such as ship to ship and planet to ship, and the broadcast methods used for Colonial news and entertainment.
- How did wireless work?
- The series treats it much like real-world radio, shortwave band included. Ships, Raptors and Vipers all carry wireless sets, and pilots have handheld units in their survival kits.
- Did Galactica use wireless inside the ship?
- No. Adama's rule against networked systems meant the crew relied on hardwired phones and the public address system.
Sources
- EpisodeBattlestar Galactica miniseries, Two-part miniseries, Sci Fi Channel (2003)
- EpisodeYou Can't Go Home Again, Season 1, Episode 5 (2005)
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
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