transceiver
tran-SEE-ver
/trænˈsiːvər/
A portable electronic device that both transmits and receives radio signals, used in mountain rescue to locate buried victims.
Combines transmitter and receiver functions into one unit; in alpine settings, specifically refers to emergency avalanche beacons.
The story behind the word. Coined in the 1920s as radio technology miniaturized, blending two operational roles into one word. By the late 1960s, mountain rescue pioneer John Lawton developed the first alpine avalanche transceiver (the 'Skadi').
Word relationships
- beacon: Beacon can refer to static lighting or passive signal devices, whereas transceiver explicitly transmits and receives radio waves.
- two-way radio: A two-way radio is built for voice communication, while an avalanche transceiver broadcasts pulsed directional homing signals.
- receiver: A receiver can only capture incoming signals, lacking the ability to transmit.
Commonly confused with
- transmitter: A transmitter only sends signals; a transceiver both sends and receives.
Collocations
- avalanche transceiver
- transceiver search
- switch transceiver to receive
- digital transceiver
Example sentences
- "Every member of the backcountry ski patrol must switch their transceiver to send mode before entering avalanche terrain." Avalanche preparedness
- "The digital transceiver indicated that the buried victim was four meters directly ahead beneath the avalanche debris." Search phase
Memory hook
TRANSmitter + reCEIVER = TRANSCEIVER. Device that sends and receives radio signals.
When not to use
Do not use for passive listening devices or basic radios that only receive signals.
Fun facts
- Standard avalanche transceivers operate internationally at a universal frequency of 457 kHz.
Related words
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