Numbers stations - polytone header

Heard on a really cheap radio (£3 bought from a street market). Six tone polytone header repeating again and again. Frequency - around 9180 khz (can't be accurate as the analogue tuner is very imprecise).

I believe the Enigma 2000 classification is X6 (AKA the 'Mazielka'), believed to Russian in origin, although if anyone can confirm or correct this that would be great.

For those who are confused as to what a numbers station is, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station

UPDATE: I heard this header again (26/1/08) on around 13510 khz (confirmed on another radio with digital readout). Strong signal. Exactly the same tones (relative scale 164532 - where 1=lowest tone). I caught it around 0935 UTC, and it seemed to fade off by 0941 - leaving 'dead air', i.e. signal but no noise.

UPDATE: I have been informed this is not a polytone header per se, but is part of a diplomatic communications network separate from other Russian tone stations. The tone alerts the recipient to a message (generally non-voice), often somewhere else on the spectrum.

UPDATE: I caught a variation of this station, signalling '463125' (in relative tones). 1945 UTC 6/3/08, near 6870 khz. The signal was strong and really cut through the background noise.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• numbers
• stations
• radio
• shortwave
• espionage
• spy
• code
• cryptography
• intelligence
• x6

[JochenKopf]

Hello, thanks for your newest reply. I am member of staff of E2K, and the comment with the orthodoxy I can not support. E2K is a very serious numbers list, but not orthodox. If you want to know more about E2K, you can send me an email off Youtube (I think, this can be possible via going onto my channel, and there you can find my email address - I hope so).

[LCduT]

Thanks for your reply. I will consider your offer. I'm sure many other readers who have come across numbers stations on Youtube for the first time will also do so. Anything which increases audiences and helps to shine a light on this is a good thing.

[JochenKopf]

Why "outside"? If you would go onto E2K, you would get many background informations about the numbers stations. The thing with the "Polytone header" for X06 would not be happened. If you are interested, you can post me off Youtube to get more information.

[LCduT]

Had a few problems adding a comment here, so not sure if this will get through.

On the whole though, I (and I believe many others) have an interest in this subject, but prefer a purely public forum. Looking at the E2K Yahoo page (which many won't even find), it's hardly the most inclusive invitation.

Don't get me wrong, E2K does good work - but is itself a form of orthodoxy. Which is odd considering the speculative subject matter. Of course, I am open to corrections to my videos though.

[JochenKopf]

It's a pleasure. I also heard the others of your recordings with "Polytone headers". - Are you member of E2K?

[LCduT]

No - I'm aware of E2K, and obviously try to use the classifications as far as possible. But I prefer to be on the 'outside' of this.

[Hanglands]

Just received this on 9129kHz 1950UTC.

[MrElektrotech]

I recieved that station today (20.09.2009), in Poland. Freq. around 9250kHz, time - 16:00 UTC. Signal was very weak :-(. Reciever: UNITRA Julia stereo.

[POACHERrr]

MFSK20 & Crowd 36 selcall.

[POACHERrr]

MFSK-20 (20Bd) - CIS Multitone/

[JochenKopf]

Yes, why not? Also other readers are always welcome. And yes, you are right, everything, that shines a light on this matter, is a good thing and always welcome too.