Master Tracking List

Iota Theta Eta Kappa Gamma Beta Alpha Delta Epsilon Zeta All ten Star Trek TOS communicator props, with details - HeroComm.com

Wah Ming Chang was paid for providing ten black-bodied communicator props; two working "heroes" and eight static "dummies."  Here they are in detail, as best as can be tracked during the three seasons of Star Trek as well as after.  The Greek naming is our means to provide a uniform scientifically-oriented nomenclature.  In determining their order and to keep them in sensible groupings, we took into consideration their prominence and importance (heroes first), familiarity, current status and moiré pattern.

In case you're wondering how we figure out which comm is which...

 

> > > The Details - HOW TO "TELL" A MATCH  < < < <

 

We've included a graphic on the amount each antenna swings open...

 

> > > The Details - ANTENNA HINGE ANGLES  < < < <

 

Each comm has its own "Details" page with complete data on that one prop.  Look for the link in the left title bar.

 

Alpha
(hero)

The Details

The most salivated-over and desired comm, owing to its gorgeous star turns in "Friday's Child" and "Patterns of Force," Alpha is the version from which nearly all replicas are based.  When we think "communicator," we mostly think of this one.  Now that it has been found and fully documented here, we have seen a whole new slew of ever-more accurate Alpha copies.

Alias:  "Spock hero"

Current status:  private collection of an anonymous west coast collector

Friday's Child Patterns of Force Omega Glory For the World is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky Alpha Details Alpha Details Alpha Details Photo Library Alpha Details
Some images have been reduced in size (resolution) and rotated to fit.  Each pic is a hotspot link to the complete image (when possible).

Seen in:  Friday's Child, Patterns of Force, The Omega Glory, For the World is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky

Moiré:

Source: Edmund Scientific 1960's Experimenter's Moiré Series (A) Kit, Pattern #4 (radial lines).

 

Description:  2-layer effect from a top Pattern #4 printed on clear .020" thick acetate (dot 0.005" off-center left) above an identical image on white cardstock (dot 0.118" off-center).  The bottom is rotated via a 30 sec. stopwatch.  The image has two motions: a slow growing./shrinking of many thin arcs and an overall rotation of the pattern.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  Yes (now missing)

Bottom Shell Screws:  Yes

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  4

 

Jewels:
.

1966-68        16ss Crystal AB            16ss Siam                      15ss Olivine AB

1968-now    16ss Crystal AB            16ss Hyacinth                15ss Olivine AB

                      The Siam rhinestone likely fell off during the third season and was replaced by a Hyacinth off of a dummy comm.

 

Beta
(hero)

The Details

Familiar mostly through its only close-up in "Day of the Dove," this lesser-known of the two heroes differs more from its famous sister than most people realize - most prominently with a similar but modified "spider" moiré configuration mounted lower in the control well and an antenna that opens up not more than 45 degrees past vertical (less than any other comm).  It has recently been found, missing some key parts, but has been partially refurbished and is up for sale.

Alias:  "Kirk hero"

Current status:  to be auctioned by Julien's in November.

Elaan of Troyius Catspaw Elaan of Troyius Dagger of the Mind Dagger of the Mind Day of the Dove Day of the Dove

Seen in:  Day of the Dove, Dagger of the Mind, Elaan of Troyius, Catspaw

Moiré:

Source: Edmund Scientific 1960's Experimenter's Moiré Series (A) Kit, Pattern #4 (radial lines).

 

Description:  2-layer effect from a top Pattern #4 on clear acetate (dot 0.023" off-center right) above an identical image on white cardstock (dot 0.008" off-center).  The bottom is rotated via a 30 sec. stopwatch.  The image has one main motion: a fast growing/shrinking of arcs (oscillating from a few to more and back to a few again).

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  Yes

Bottom Shell Screws:  Yes

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  Maybe 2

Jewels:

.

originally:    20ss Emerald AB (5)     16ss Hyacinth              16ss Crystal AB (4)  (1-5) = confidence in color call

currently:    16ss Aqua chaton         16ss Hyacinth              16ss Aqua chaton

 

Gamma
(dummy)

The Details

Made famous by Stephen Whitfield Poe's book "The Making of Star Trek," this prop, perhaps the most quintessential of all the dummies, had a rare close-up for a non-hero in "Assignment: Earth."  It was one of the most frequently-utilized comms, with appearances in far too many episodes to be listed here.  Besides having its antenna wire likely made of steel instead of the usual brass, it has one unique feature in that the antenna is mounted further forward than the others, closing down just outside of the control well instead of over the control panel.  The center Light Siam jewel was also glued on crooked.

Alias:  "TMOST comm"

Current status:  unknown

Assignment: Earth Enemy Within Photo Library Photo Library Photo Library Assignment: Earth

Seen in:  Assignment: Earth, The Enemy Within

Moiré:


Source: 
Edmund Scientific booklet "The Science of Moiré Patterns" by Gerald Oster, 1964-1966 editions, image on page 24.

Description:  black ink on matte white paper.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  Yes

Bottom Shell Screws:  Yes

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  3

Jewels:

.

                    20ss Emerald AB (5)      16ss Light Siam (4)       16ss Siam (5)

 

Delta
(dummy)

The Details

A true workhorse, this comm was used all over the place.  It fell to the ground in "This Side of Paradise," where the antenna bounced open from a rubber band wrapped around the wire near the hinge wheels.  Those wheels curiously have a groove cut partially around their midlines - for reasons unknown.  Delta is easy to ID in screen caps because of its wide moiré bezel and the empty screw holes on the bottom.  The hinge axle broke loose from its glue inside, likely during Third Season filming, so now the antenna sits crooked and cannot easily swing open.  It was originally owned by set decorator John Dwyer and then sold through a 2001 Profiles in History auction.  The comm lost its left jewel early first season, and the center red rhinestone fell off somewhere between the auction house and the museum.

Alias:  "Dwyer comm"

Current status:  owned by the Paul Allen estate, currently on display at the MoPOP museum in Seattle, WA

Spock's Brain Spock's Brain This Side of Paradise Spock's Brain Delta Details Delta Details Delta Details Doomsday Machine Bread and Circuses Spock's Brain Bread and Circuses Bread and Circuses Bread and Circuses

Seen in:  The Doomsday Machine, This Side of Paradise, Bread and Circuses, Spock's Brain, The Paradise Syndrome

Moiré:

.
Source: 
Edmund Scientific booklet "The Science of Moiré Patterns" by Gerald Oster, 1964 edition only, cover image.

Description:  black ink on matte white cardstock.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  Yes (now missing)

Bottom Shell Screws:  No, but with undrilled dimples to receive the screws.

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  0

Jewels:

.

                      20ss Emerald AB (2-nm)   16ss Light Siam (5-nm)   16ss Siam       nm = now missing

 

Epsilon
(dummy)

The Details

Control knobs placed widely apart, a pushed-in upper left edge of the moiré pattern and a large dark distinct tarnish blotch on the antenna were the key id features when finding this often-used comm in screencaps.  However those traits were removed by then-owner Greg Jein during a refurbishment once the prop was acquired from set decorator John Dwyer.  It's the only one of the four found comms that not only has no screw hole recesses on the back but also whose antenna swings open freely like you're used to seeing on the show.

Current status:  owned by unknown collector, formerly part of the Greg Jein estate.

Epsilon details This Side of Paradise Vintage & Current Pics The Apple Spock's Brain This Side of Paradise Epsilon details Epsilon details Epsilon details A Taste of Armageddon

Seen in:  This Side of Paradise, Spock's Brain, The Apple, A Taste of Armageddon

Moiré:


.
Source: 
Edmund Scientific booklet "The Science of Moiré Patterns" by Gerald Oster, 1964-1966 editions, image on page 9.

Description:  black ink on matte white paper.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  No

Bottom Shell Screws:  No

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  5 (or 6 - a tiny hint of a sixth groove is seen)

Jewels:

.

                    20ss Blk. Diamond AB  16ss Hyacinth               20ss Emerald AB

 

Zeta
(dummy)

The Details

We see in the show this comm open only a few times; for a blink in "Obsession" and "Bread and Circuses," and disassembled on a barrel in "Patterns of Force."   Its antenna hinge today has very restricted motion, and if this problem has been present in some fashion all along, it would explain why it was rarely used in action on set.  Then-owner Greg Jein took it apart again and stored separately the Velcro, screws and mic grill, which, since those parts are not on the prop as re-assembled for its 2023 auction sale, have never been seen by us and are now presumed lost.

Current status:  owned by unknown collector, formerly part of the Greg Jein estate.

Bread and Circuses Obsession Spock's Brain Zeta details Patterns of Force Zeta details

Seen in:  Obsession, Bread and Circuses, Patterns of Force, Spock's Brain

Moiré:


.
Source: 
Edmund Scientific booklet "The Science of Moiré Patterns" by Gerald Oster, 1964-1966 editions, image on page 9.

Description:  black ink on matte white paper.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  No

Bottom Shell Screws:  Yes

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  3

Jewels:

.

                      hole - never installed        12ss Hyacinth*              hole - never installed             * recessed into hub

 

Eta
(dummy)

The Details

The control well of this seldom-used comm is seen in entirety only from a distance.  The moiré pattern is likely a distinct logarithmic spiral set into a bezel ring mounted low in the control well toward the jewels, like in Theta.  The center rhinestone is probably hyacinth, but the left and right AB stone colors are a crude guess at best.  A few of the external tells are an antenna with some distinct tarnish blotches, and the midplate has generous exposure on the left.

Current status:  unknown

Shore Leave Shore Leave Spock's Brain Tomorrow is Yesterday Shore Leave The Paradise Syndrome Spock's Brain Shore Leave Shore Leave Shore Leave The Paradise Syndrome

Seen in:  The Conscience of the KingTomorrow Is Yesterday, Shore Leave, Spock's Brain, Metamorphosis

Moiré:

.
.

Source: 
Edmund Scientific 1960's Moiré Pattern Series (B) Kit, Pattern #18 (logarithmic spirals).

Description:  black ink on white Kromokote cardstock.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  No

Bottom Shell Screws:  No

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  Unknown

Jewels:

.

                      20ss Emerald AB (2)       16ss Hyacinth (3)             20ss Black Diamond AB (1)

 

Theta
(dummy)

The Details

While this prop is easy to spot in its handful of appearances, given it's the only comm with a red jewel in the left position, the moiré pattern posed a deep conundrum - always looking blank, and bizarrely switching in Season 2 from grey to black.  Intensive study confirms the comm originally had a two-layer static moiré insert of thin prismatic sheets that create changeable effects depending on the lighting and viewing angles. The bezel ring then came off (likely while filming "Bread and Circuses") and was reattached, but with a plain black disk as the insert, adhered with a smear of excess glue.

Current status:  unknown

Mirror, Mirror Tomorrow Is Yesterday Bread and Circuses Mirror, Mirror Mirror, Mirror Mirror, Mirror Mirror, Mirror Mirror, Mirror The Omega Glory The Omega Glory

Seen in:  Bread and Circuses, Mirror, Mirror, Mudd's Women, Tomorrow Is Yesterday, The Omega Glory

Moiré:

Source: Edmund Scientific 1960's Experimenter's Moiré Kit No. 70718, parabolic-lensed sheet samples.

Description:  Two-layer static effect from stacked 0.009" thick clear thermoplastic sheets with 10,000 parabolic lenses per square inch, as made by Rowlux.  Mid-Season 2, the bezel ring came off and during the repair, this moiré insert was replaced by a matte black disk, heavily glued in.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  No

Bottom Shell Screws:  No

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  Probably 2

Jewels:

.

                      16ss Light Siam (5)          16ss Hyacinth (4-nm)    20ss Olivine AB (3)            nm = now missing

 

Iota
(dummy)

The Details

This comm started out with a full flip-back antenna which was fixed mid-Season 1 by a rare internal repair job, when the back shell was pried off, the stop pin reinstalled, and the shell then reglued.  A little later the right jewel and hub looks to have fallen out and replaced by a large-ish white lump (a Swarovski 34ss White Opal rhinestone?).  The wavy moiré pattern has a parallel pair of "bunching lines" that are easily visible even at a distance.  All these features, plus the Velcro angled high by the hinge wheels, makes this prop easy to spot from just about any angle.

Current status:  unknown

The Savage Curtain Miri Miri Miri Miri Piece of the Action Piece of the Action Miri Miri The Way to Eden The Mark of Gideon Assignment: Earth

Seen in:  Miri, A Piece of the Action, Shore Leave, The Mark of Gideon, The Way To Eden, The Savage Curtain

Moiré:

.
Source: 
Edmund Scientific booklet "The Science of Moiré Patterns" by Gerald Oster, 1964 edition only, cover image.

Description:  black ink on matte white cardstock.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  Yes

Bottom Shell Screws:  No

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  Likely 2

Jewels:
.

                      4.5mm half-pearl (4-nm)   16ss Hyacinth (5)       16ss Fuchsia (4-nm)             nm = now missing

..

                        By mid-Season 2 the left jewel had fallen off and the entire right jewel/hub was replace with some type of large white rhinestone.

 

Kappa
(dummy)

The Details

This comm got the best close-up of any dummy, in "The Omega Glory."  It too was used aplenty throughout.  It also has the most unique (and easiest to see from a distance) moiré pattern - a static printing of the "spider" Pattern #4, plus it's got some highly distinctive antenna solder marks on its left side.  The center jewel is not a faceted flatback but a tiny garnet cabochon gem likely harvested from a wristwatch crown (like those Wah also used whole on his two tricorders).  The antenna's stop pin fell out early, and so it swung fully back.  This prop's bold look and frequent appearances are why we have it bringing up the rear of the list.

Current status:  unknown

Tomorrow is Yesterday Tomorrow is Yesterday Omega Glory Tomorrow is Yesterday Assignment: Earth Omega Glory Enterprise Incident Enterprise Incident Piece of the Action from Lincoln Enterprises clip

Seen in:  The Omega Glory, Assignment: Earth, The Enterprise Incident, Tomorrow is YesterdayA Piece of the Action

Moiré:


Source:  Edmund Scientific booklet "The Science of Moiré Patterns" by Gerald Oster, 1964 edition, image on advertising insert.

Description:  black ink on matte white paper.

Mid-Wheel Midplate:  No.

Bottom Shell Screws:  Yes

Moiré Bezel side grooves:  Likely 2

Jewels:

.

                      never installed                3mm red cabochon (5)   20ss Emerald AB (5-nm)       nm = now missing

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