Communotron 16
Communotron 16 is listed in Engineering 101; a tutorial uses an antenna to transmit recorded Science data to the Kerbal Space Center at an Electric Charge cost.
How it works
The tree lists the Communotron 16 in Engineering 101, a 5-Science node requiring Start. The tutorial describes attaching an antenna to a craft away from the pod hatch and transmitting recorded data to the Kerbal Space Center, which consumes Electric Charge. It does not establish this antenna’s range or other communications requirements.
When it helps
If transmitting recorded Science data is your goal, the tutorial’s example uses an antenna and states that transmission consumes Electric Charge.
The tradeoff
Transmission uses Electric Charge; the sources do not specify the antenna’s range.
Read the supporting references
Check the edition and source version for patch-specific details. Guide methodology.