suit phone n.

a communications system in the helmet of a space suit; cf. suit radio n.

Communications

  • 1931 E. Hamilton Sargasso of Space in Astounding Stories 397/1 page image Edmond Hamilton bibliography

    As they returned up the dim corridor Kent managed to walk beside Marta Mallen, and, without being seen, he contrived to detach his suit-phone—the compact little radiophone case inside his space-suit’s neck—and slip it into the girl’s grasp. He dared utter no word of explanation, but apparently she understood, for she had concealed the suit-phone by the time they reached the upper-deck.

  • 1932 M. K. Ruch Moon Destroyers in Wonder Stories Quarterly Winter 219/2 page image Monroe K. Ruch bibliography

    [T]hrough the phone in his space suit he heard Linet’s voice. ‘Erickson and Edward are knocked out. Let’s see what we did to these chaps here.’ [...] Here and there lay bodies, pirates caught unawares. Suddenly Holden saw a blue flash. One of the mechanics clutched at his breast and fell, dead in an instant. ‘Some of these fellows are still alive. They’re using ray pistols,’ Holden shouted into his suit phone.

  • 1942 D. D. Sharp Death on the Siderite in Thrilling Wonder Stories Feb. 94/2 page image D. D. Sharp bibliography

    Tony, my pack-boy, moved step by step further from the head. His suit phone was on. I heard his excited breathing as prayers were whispered to his favorite saints. Cold of the void was in the room.

  • 1952 ‘L. del Rey’ Forgive Us Our Debts in Future Science Fiction Stories May 54/1 page image Lester del Rey bibliography

    He [...] began a report before he reached the control room, coupling in through his suit phone. ‘They have a dozen languages, father—but one of them in the same as the language of the old records! They pronounce it oddly, but on one island they seem to be trying to revive it—they call it English! [...]’

  • 1965 M. Moorcock Blood Red Game (1977) xii. 106 page image Michael Moorcock bibliography

    ‘If I need help I’ll call you in my suit-phone,’ he said as he picked up his discarded helmet. ‘If you need them—suits are here.’ He went to the airlock’s elevator. ‘I’ll keep my suit-phone receiver on. If you see anything—any trace of Mary—let me know. Have the scanners working full-time.’

  • 1969 D. R. Koontz In the Shield in Worlds of If Jan. iii. 131/1 page image Dean R. Koontz bibliography

    Still the noise persisted. ‘It’s the same sound,’ Sam shouted into his suit phone, ‘that I heard when I was obeying the hypnotic commands.’

  • 1970 L. Niven Ringworld (1976) ix. 129 page image Larry Niven bibliography

    They could hear him breathing. Once they heard a startled snarling sound. But he never said a word into the suit phone. He was out there a full half-hour, while the heated thing darkened to near-invisibility. Presently he returned to the Liar. When he entered the lounge, he had their complete and respectful attention.

  • 1972 G. R. Dickson Pritcher Mass viii. 93 page image Gordon R. Dickson bibliography

    They got up, left the dining area, and took the elevator to the top level. Ten minutes later they were out on the deck in their airsuits, walking clumsily side by side toward a cage at the foot of one of the masts. ‘Keep your suit phone open on my circuit,’ her voice said in his earphones. ‘That way I’ll be able to hear anything you say. Usually, if people begin to hallucinate here on the Mass, they talk or make some kind of sounds that gives it away.’

  • 1974 ‘T. Hallus’ Stargate in Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact July vii. 80/2 page image Stephen Robinett bibliography

    In front of me, Captain Wilkins—every inch the captain; there was no mistaking him—silently mouthed a conversation with the station Gatekeeper. The technician nodded and walked toward me, reaching for my helmet. Captain Wilkins touched an intercom plate. The suitphone popped. ‘As soon as we get you out of that suit, I’ll give you the grand tour, Mr. Collins.’

  • 1978 P. Anthony Chaining the Lady vi. 101 page image Piers Anthony bibliography

    [S]he jumped with both feet. Suddenly she was falling through space—with no safety line. It had been a natural reaction, but a mistaken one. She screamed. There was a clamor in her suitphone as the startled men exclaimed. ‘The fool! Doesn’t she know not to—’ ‘Get another line and jet!’ ‘No time; she’ll be out of range before we can—’

  • 1988 J. Lichtenberg Those of My Blood xxiii. 386 page image Jacqueline Lichtenberg bibliography

    ‘There’s a jack here somewhere, to connect a suitphone...’ [...] Titus got the phone jack into place just in time to hear the commander’s voice say, ‘...no wild stories! Now I don’t believe—’ He broke off, and his voice was muffled as he asked, ‘What? They did? There are? You mean he’s legit?’

  • 1992 C. Sheffield Cold As Ice (1993) xvii. 252 page image Charles Sheffield bibliography

    [during a search and rescue operation on Europa] I’d love to see what’s down there, but two of us might be more load than the rim can take. I’ll step back a few meters for safety, then you go ahead. Keep me informed through your suit phone. I’ll pass the word to the others.

  • 2006 G. Nix Dog Soldier in Best of Jim Baen’s Universe (2007) 17 page image Garth Nix bibliography

    He wondered what the hell it was doing, till his damage control telltales showed one restored com circuit. The DOG’s tail was its antenna and input fiber, and it had just plugged into his suit phone. ‘Well done!’ Gillies exclaimed again. The tail wagged a little, but not too much.


Research requirements

antedating 1931

Earliest cite

Edmond Hamilton, ‘The Sargasso of Space’

Research History
Suggested, and most cites supplied, by Ben Ostrowsky.

Last modified 2022-04-25 13:43:10
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.