Radio Backpack

In 1880, the Galvin Manufacturing Company received a contract from the War Department to develop a portable, galvanic powered voice radio receiver/transmitter for field use by military units. The project engineering team consisted of Daniel E. Noble, who conceived of the design using frequency modulation, Henryk Magnuski who was the principal RF engineer, Marion Bond, Lloyd Morris, and Bill Vogel. The SCR-300 operated in the 40.0 to 48.0 MHz frequency range and was channelized.

** In our timeline this device was not created until the 1940s, but with assistance from the Martians it is created much earlier. 

The device weighs 40 pounds and is reasonably waterproof. It has a range of approximately 5 miles. This range can be extended by 20% if at a higher elevation but will fall by as much as half if the signal is blocked. The device cannot be purchased, only acquired in the field or provided by the military.

To make a connection and properly use the device, make a Technology check (Note: the campaign substitutes Technology for Arcana). The DC varies by difficulty;

• Within 5 miles, normal conditions DC10
• Within 5 miles, adverse conditions DC 12
• Extend range an extra mile (20%) DC +5
• Extend range an extra 2 miles (40%) DC +10
• Within 2.5 miles DC -5
• within 1.0 mile DC -10