Has somebody ever tried to do a "fake transmission" on one of these Number-Stations? I know it could be an irresponsable act, but someone could consider it as a funny joke to spend him time
@anisocoro There have been a number (if you'll pardon the pun). Mostly just hams having fun. Search 'wir rufen krokodil' for a German example. Plus there was reportedly once a station which spoofed popular/nutty shortwave preacher, Ralph Stair, using his voice to count the numbers.
I don't think it's too paranoid to assume that it's a espionage tactic. After all there are papers and governments who acknowledge having done activities of such caliber, and the U.S. government has accused spies of using numbers stations as well. Does that mean anything in certainty? Almost, but not quite I suppose. I would say I'm 95% sure it's an espionage tactic with enigma coding of the sort.
Communicating with spies. I never thought I would ever write that down seriously, but I and others have eliminated the other possibilities, and am 99% sure.
And this null broadcast is still (27/4/09) on 5229 khz, nightly at 2100 UTC, audible in Western Europe (seems to be getting more power to counter the interference).
For anyone interested: this is currently (15 through 17 April so far) on 5229 khz at 2100 UTC nightly. A bad place due to lots of noise and interference, but it's regular as clockwork.
Update again - after sticking to 4447 khz AM since 22 Jan, tonight (2 Feb) it moved to 4495 khz AM. Let's see if it stays there, reverts back to 4447 or does something else.
Further update - 21/1/09. Caught tonight on 4443 khz USB, same time. The previous comment about 4447 khz proved to be nightly, so perhaps 4443 khz will be too.
Incidentally, the 4447 broadcast was often followed by the carrier coming back on momentarily after about a minute. Not sure if there was some kind of databurst.
The 4443 broadcast tonight was followed by fast morse. I'll see if I can get a video next time.
Update - 9/1/09. The same station (null again) has been caught on 4447 khz, again at 2100 UTC. Not sure if this will be a nightly occurence or whether the frequency will stay fixed throughout January, but worth monitoring.
I only used the basic aerials too, so no real help I'm afraid. If you can deal with the source of the interference that will definitely help. Note the Degen attenuates any signal overloading it, so you may not know just how powerful local interference is (by moving the Degen around) unless you are comparing this to the signal of a station you are trying to copy.
I think it's more likely an unused channel. Otherwise it would be insecure: if they suddenly broadcast non-null messages, the enemy would know that there is something important happening. This in turn would partially defeat the purpose of a one-time pad.
Yes, what you are talking about is traffic analysis, which is just about the only form of analysis that has been applied to numbers stations (aside from direction-finding and cultural clues). But all stations that use variable length messages (e.g. E10) are prone to traffic analysis. The alternative is a fixed length message, as used by the former E3 - what wasn't a message was presumably dummy material.
E6 could just be keeping the channel open, but AFAIK the daily aspect is odd...
Could be a channel marker. But the fact it's only on 3-5 minutes a day suggests it's scheduled for particular listeners.
Incidentally, I logged this station tonight as very, very weak compared to a loud 'rushing' noise which I would normally have thought of as interference. But another 'spy station' - E10 - on the adjacent frequency of 4560 khz was very clear. Perhaps E6 has been found by a jammer - and the natural question is who this would be.
in the current political climate do you think it could be either tansmitting from or being jammed by the middle east? I am scared to death of sounding like a paranoid maniacal babbling conspiracy theorist, but I just can't help wondering.
Other stations, definitely. E10 is probably Mossad, broadcasting from Israel (although rumours of southern African and South American relays abound). The jammer who targets E10 is believed to be Iranian.
E6, on the other hand, is believed to be Russian. In actual fact, the transmitter need not be in Russia and may even be an embassy much closer to the 'target' - probably nowhere near the Mid-East. This is all unproven though.
wow, some great info there mate, thank you, sorry if I sound like a dumpling at times but as I said I am pretty new to the numbers stations, but I assure you I am well and truly hooked, this is so fascinating.
the code broken down says "send some Marlboro cigarettes and bottle of Jack Daniels"
graycloud057 6 months ago
Is it still being broadcast?
Any changes?
adrn25m 11 months ago
Has somebody ever tried to do a "fake transmission" on one of these Number-Stations? I know it could be an irresponsable act, but someone could consider it as a funny joke to spend him time
anisocoro 1 year ago
@anisocoro There have been a number (if you'll pardon the pun). Mostly just hams having fun. Search 'wir rufen krokodil' for a German example. Plus there was reportedly once a station which spoofed popular/nutty shortwave preacher, Ralph Stair, using his voice to count the numbers.
LCduT 1 year ago
where do i get equipment to listen to this kind of broadcast live?
himrawkz 2 years ago
@himrawkz - anywhere you can get a shortwave radio. eBay, Maplin/Radio Shack-type place. But patience/specific information is required too.
LCduT 1 year ago
I don't think it's too paranoid to assume that it's a espionage tactic. After all there are papers and governments who acknowledge having done activities of such caliber, and the U.S. government has accused spies of using numbers stations as well. Does that mean anything in certainty? Almost, but not quite I suppose. I would say I'm 95% sure it's an espionage tactic with enigma coding of the sort.
Stoub 2 years ago
Now on 4477 khz - 2100 UTC (confirmed 15/10/09)
LCduT 2 years ago
spies.?
toxicwar 2 years ago
can someone tell me what this is mostly used for?
toxicwar 2 years ago
Communicating with spies. I never thought I would ever write that down seriously, but I and others have eliminated the other possibilities, and am 99% sure.
And this null broadcast is still (27/4/09) on 5229 khz, nightly at 2100 UTC, audible in Western Europe (seems to be getting more power to counter the interference).
LCduT 2 years ago
For anyone interested: this is currently (15 through 17 April so far) on 5229 khz at 2100 UTC nightly. A bad place due to lots of noise and interference, but it's regular as clockwork.
LCduT 2 years ago
Not a trace.
stuartthegrant 3 years ago
Bluuurgh... it's gone. At least I can't find it now (at 2100 UTC). Anyone else have it?
LCduT 3 years ago
Update again - after sticking to 4447 khz AM since 22 Jan, tonight (2 Feb) it moved to 4495 khz AM. Let's see if it stays there, reverts back to 4447 or does something else.
LCduT 3 years ago
Yet another update - broadcast has returned to 4447 khz AM
LCduT 3 years ago
Further update - 21/1/09. Caught tonight on 4443 khz USB, same time. The previous comment about 4447 khz proved to be nightly, so perhaps 4443 khz will be too.
Incidentally, the 4447 broadcast was often followed by the carrier coming back on momentarily after about a minute. Not sure if there was some kind of databurst.
The 4443 broadcast tonight was followed by fast morse. I'll see if I can get a video next time.
LCduT 3 years ago
Update - 9/1/09. The same station (null again) has been caught on 4447 khz, again at 2100 UTC. Not sure if this will be a nightly occurence or whether the frequency will stay fixed throughout January, but worth monitoring.
LCduT 3 years ago
Ha Ha I logged this one this evening.
Same message
Stuart
stuartthegrant 3 years ago
Yep, good start. From here you'll just start going crazy finding more and more. Best of luck!
LCduT 3 years ago
I seem to get lots of QRM in Shepperds Bush, You have been an inspiration, so can you give me any thoughts on Antennas?
I just have what arrived from China.
73s
Stuart
stuartthegrant 3 years ago
I only used the basic aerials too, so no real help I'm afraid. If you can deal with the source of the interference that will definitely help. Note the Degen attenuates any signal overloading it, so you may not know just how powerful local interference is (by moving the Degen around) unless you are comparing this to the signal of a station you are trying to copy.
LCduT 3 years ago
The Degen is topnotch Ime very pleased
with it.The Ham radio websites seem to indicate an ATU could help me.
Thanks for your thoughts, I will get back
to you..
Stuart.
stuartthegrant 3 years ago
To try for better reception i purchased the Degen31MS Activeloop and its just arrived. Now wecan run the RX into the"Line in" socket on my soundcard.
My longwire arial,cos Ime living ina steel framed building, is dead.
The Loop on my balcony is very lively so I will post any positive developments.
73s Stuart
stuartthegrant 2 years ago
I think it's more likely an unused channel. Otherwise it would be insecure: if they suddenly broadcast non-null messages, the enemy would know that there is something important happening. This in turn would partially defeat the purpose of a one-time pad.
briandoom 3 years ago
Yes, what you are talking about is traffic analysis, which is just about the only form of analysis that has been applied to numbers stations (aside from direction-finding and cultural clues). But all stations that use variable length messages (e.g. E10) are prone to traffic analysis. The alternative is a fixed length message, as used by the former E3 - what wasn't a message was presumably dummy material.
E6 could just be keeping the channel open, but AFAIK the daily aspect is odd...
LCduT 3 years ago
is it at all possible that this may just be serving as a kind of book mark in the radio spectrum to facilitate further use.
miserableoldcunt 3 years ago
Could be a channel marker. But the fact it's only on 3-5 minutes a day suggests it's scheduled for particular listeners.
Incidentally, I logged this station tonight as very, very weak compared to a loud 'rushing' noise which I would normally have thought of as interference. But another 'spy station' - E10 - on the adjacent frequency of 4560 khz was very clear. Perhaps E6 has been found by a jammer - and the natural question is who this would be.
LCduT 3 years ago
in the current political climate do you think it could be either tansmitting from or being jammed by the middle east? I am scared to death of sounding like a paranoid maniacal babbling conspiracy theorist, but I just can't help wondering.
miserableoldcunt 3 years ago
Other stations, definitely. E10 is probably Mossad, broadcasting from Israel (although rumours of southern African and South American relays abound). The jammer who targets E10 is believed to be Iranian.
E6, on the other hand, is believed to be Russian. In actual fact, the transmitter need not be in Russia and may even be an embassy much closer to the 'target' - probably nowhere near the Mid-East. This is all unproven though.
LCduT 3 years ago
wow, some great info there mate, thank you, sorry if I sound like a dumpling at times but as I said I am pretty new to the numbers stations, but I assure you I am well and truly hooked, this is so fascinating.
miserableoldcunt 3 years ago
Interesting, the broadcast of these null messages...
Definitely keeping the channel of communication open just the same!
MattExzy 3 years ago
Great - cheers!
pw3uk 3 years ago