Description

Spatial compression radio uses negative energy technology to transmit radio signals through hyperspace.  In addition to a frequency setting, Spatial Compression radios have a compression setting, and can only fully receive signals sent at the same compression level (partial reception is possible if the receiver's compression ratio resonates with the signal's).  The greater the compression, the longer the antenna has to be.  Maximum compression levels for radio keep pace with the maximum compression levels for star-ships.  Since radio waves travel at the speed of light, they take full advantage of the compression, and a radio with a compression ratio of 100:1 can transmit a signal to a distance of 100Ly in one year.

So widely used was spatial-compression radio that regular radio came to be known as S.O.L. (speed of light) radio.  This designation also fit with the traditional meaning of the abbreviation SOL, as in, "You don't even have enough money to buy the most basic Spatial Compression radio set?  I guess you're just S.O.L."