Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Communicator

replica movie prop

After experimenting with different comm styles in ST I & II, The Search For Spock saw the return of a handheld design echoing the classic TOS communicator.

This hero replica has an opening chirp, alternating flashing green and red LEDs, correct 3-part brass antenna, and brass midplate. The 'extra' button you see on the lid near the hinge is a strong magnet that operates the electronics via a hidden reed switch.

From Roddenberry.com.

By HMS Creative Productions.

Of interest:  ST III communicator replicas that have been produced to date feature a green arrowhead LED over a red rectangular LED.  However, review of the one scene in the movie where the inside of this comm is seen clearly seems to show a blinking green up arrowhead alternating with a blinking red down arrowhead (that is, a second triangle, not a rectangle). Both LEDs can even be captured lit up together for a split second. 

Propmakers on the set of ST III have confirmed that at least one of the hero comms supplied by ILM did have the green arrowhead over red rectangle configuration, and it is this design that has been replicated. On the other hand, photos of prop delivery containers shows that two hero comms (and two more non-functional dummy comms) were made. Perhaps the second hero comm delivered to the set had the double arrowhead design.

Also: These communicators, along with the other Starfleet and Klingon hand props in the movie, were created by Industrial Lights & Magic, who less than two years earlier had put back-to-back red and green triangular LEDs on the side of Luke's lightsaber control box for Return of the Jedi.