Ætheric Televox

The Ætheric Televox is a hand-held device that has gained in popularity among the upper-class residents of Norrilund in the last thirty years. The device, which is powered by a small thaumochemical battery, allows for two-way communication within a range of a few miles.
==Operation==
To operate the Ætheric Televox, the battery must first be powered up by winding a flywheel, which is usually attached to a small finger-crank on the side of the Televox. Most Televox batteries can stay powered for approximately 2 hours after being cranked, although on some more expensive models the battery can stay powered longer. Once the device is powered, a punchcard must be inserted. Each Televox has a unique punchcode, and inserted punchcard contains the information necessary to contact a particular Televox. After the punchcard is inserted, a switch is triggered and a connection is attempted. The connection will succeed only if the contacted Televox is also powered on - if so, the contacted Televox will emit an alarm and its switch must be triggered to complete the connection. At this point, microphones and speakerboxes transmit communication between the two Televoxes. The connection is broken when either of the two switches are reset.
==Punchcards==
Televox owners often collect scores of punchcards - one each for every contact they wish to communicate with. The possession of a large collection of punchcards has become a signifier for a very well-connected or high-status individual, and people are often careful to distribute their punchcards in such a way as to increase their status. Punchcards may be printed on cardstock or celluloid, and often are decorated in such a way as to personalize them.
==The Ætheric Televiewer==
Rumors of Televoxes capable of transmitting images as well as sound have circulated, although they are not readily available to the public. These "Ætheric Televiewers" contain a small screen about 2.5" in diameter in addition to all of the features of a typical high-end Televox.
Category:Devices