The shortwave "flame throwers" - what are these?

[nqzdepofltr]

This is definitely STANAG mode used by NATO.

[HyruleanHero1988]

If you don't mind me asking, how much was that radio and how did you acquire it? I've been interested in this stuff for awhile now, but I have no clue how to get started.

[MattExzy]

@HyruleanHero1988 Greetings! It's a Sangean ATS 505. At the moment it's about $150 new in Australian dollars, but there's bargains on eBay for shortwave radios, there's quite a few models available. Just look for a digital tuning display single side band capability, and you're set.

[HyruleanHero1988]

@MattExzy Thanks for the info!

[N0rthwestRadio]

@HyruleanHero1988 I will agree with Matt. Single Sideband (SSB or BFO) and Digital Display are important. Search ebay, or Craigs List. Drop me a note, I may be able to help.

[randomsrvapps]

sounds like a hornet air craft

[PresentedIn4D]

Little more info about this STANAG:

it's an excellent data mode. Annoying yes, useful, very. It is used by every NATO country. It typically just broadcasts "RYRYRYRYR" as a placeholder. It's used for long distance communication, and can fill up a huge A4 paper in around 3 seconds.

[MattExzy]

@PresentedIn4D Nice. Just did a search on it.. some snazzy looking HF modems..

[Reinzy007]

@DanielChristy19 did you watch (babystation)?

[TheEpisteme]

I hear these things all the time. First time I heard it, it was kind of an unsettling sound. There are a lot military installations near me and I guess it would make sense that they're related because they're very strong. I'll pick them up sometimes in several freqs with the whip on my 7600gr when I can't pick pick up anything else at all.

[TheLegoboy1997]

n US. Sorry the comment is in two parts! I accidently posted it when it was unfinished!

[TheLegoboy1997]

They seem to pop up quite frequently on the nighttime S.W frequencies here on the wester

[FerralVideo]

I've heard similar. "Atari Game Stations" I used to call them, because they sound vaguely like an Atari 2600 video game... Though the ones I listened to had more pauses for tones between the "Flame thrower"... If I get my shortwave radio I'll post a video.

[thephntm]

:33 was freaky!

[J6V9H]

I still hear these ones all over the HF band. I thought i heard someone talking through them on a few occasions, but i wasn't sure, bad reception.

[N0rthwestRadio]

These are digital stations. Would not be hard to receive them. However, they could be encrypted.

Some of these stations we really should just file away in the "I wonder" drawer. :)

Nice work on the video..

[Antonio30ir103]

Hi !congratulations for your videos.I think it is a military digital mode called STANAG 4285,it is common to hear over all HF band.Greetings!

[MattExzy]

Thanks! :) It seems this signal definitely serves a purpose..

[michelegillo93]

@MattExzy yes, stanag nato

[SWL1409]

Yeah, there are so much on shortwaves.

[JohnnyX50]

I have a video showing one of those 'flame throwers' They are a total mystery to me and a complete annoyance !!! :D

[JohnnyX50]

on 4250 i get a cluster of data bursts that sounds like rtty and a morse code CQ DE HEB I have no idea what it means

[sixpackgenius]

I think that is jamming from Iran. Some of those frequencies you have listed are used by the BBC.

It sounds like the "diesel engine" type of jammer but those tones at the end are strange.

[pw3uk]

Yeah, they're all over the place. I thought it was local QRM.

[MattExzy]

Yeah I used to think it was QRM, too and never gave it much thought, but they come and go and they seem to be tunable (this was in SSB), that's what prompted me to think they might be something else.

[Furtoosh]

I heard them too. They remind me of planes?

[matkovicha]

I only hear this every so often, I honestly have no idea what it is.