Build the Strange Transmitter on the Mysterious Ruin, then open communications and choose a response. In Beyond These Stars, the Strange Transmitter must first be unlocked in the Technology Tree. You rebuild it over the old alien structure to speak with Kewa.
How do you build the Strange Transmitter?
Unlock the Strange Transmitter, place it directly on the Mysterious Ruin, and supply its construction materials.
- Unlock the building. Look for the Technology Tree message, “You can now construct: a Strange Transmitter.” That is your cue to move on to construction.
- Place it over the ruin. The Mysterious Ruin is the building site. Keep the old alien structure in place and build over it.
- Supply the materials. The Strange Transmitter Construction panel asks for:
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Electronics | 28 |
| Stones | 32 |
| Glass | 16 |
| Tools | 20 |
| Steel | 36 |
If electronics are holding you up, the Electronics Plant turns glass and copper into electronics and also produces slag. For the wider production chain, see Beyond These Stars resources.
Why can't you place the Strange Transmitter?
Check that you are placing it on the Mysterious Ruin first; if you are playing the demo, also check road access and trees covering the building site.
One player resolved a placement error simply by moving the transmitter onto the ruin. If the error message sends you chasing a connection problem, double-check the site before changing your layout.
For a blocked demo placement:
- Make sure a road reaches the site.
- Clear forest tiles occupying the intended footprint.
- Try placing the transmitter over the ruin again.
A demo player successfully placed it after providing road access and removing forest tiles. The demo can generate the ruin beneath a forest; that generation issue was corrected for the full release.
Clear obstructing trees rather than demolishing the ruin you need to build on. If placement still fails after checking the site and access, press F11 to submit an in-game report.
How do you use the completed Strange Transmitter?
Open the new communications at the Strange Transmitter and choose a reply under Select Response to continue the conversation.
Once construction finishes, watch for “New communications available at the Strange Transmitter.” The completed structure has a tall antenna above its domed base.
Open the communicator and select Hello? when that reply appears. Keep choosing responses as the exchange continues; constructing the building is only the first part of making contact.
What can you do after talking to Kewa?
You can use the transmitter to ask Kewa to travel to stars or other objects Kewa has told your Peeps about.
Treat this as a request: Kewa may head there, or take a detour to find food first. If your destination is not the next stop, Kewa's needs can explain the change of route. Read more about Beyond These Stars Kewa when planning travel.
Your first conversation also opens the Solar System View, where you can see Kewa, the local star, and nearby celestial objects. Send a Scout Ship to investigate objects and determine whether a planet can be settled. With contact made, your next step is exploration and Beyond These Stars outposts.