KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

numbers stations

Challenge will test your decoding skills

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I’ve written about numbers stations before. They’re fascinating to me. And, although I haven’t heard one in a while, sometimes they even pop up on 30 meters. Supposedly, these transmissions are nearly un-crackable coded messages to secret agents in foreign countries.

Well, if you’ve ever wanted to pretend that you were a secret agent, you’ll want to make sure to participate in this challenge from the Maritime Radio Historical Society. Their web page says,

On January 20 2024, KPH will transmit a coded message consisting of 5-digit groups. The message will be encrypted using typical Cold War numbers station cryptographic procedures. All KPH listeners are invited to try their hand at receiving and decrypting the message.  Certificates will be awarded to those who successful decode the message.  Additionally, a special certificate will be awarded to the first person to decode it.

…

For helpful instructions on decoding numbers messages and related one-time pad procedures, please visit the Mission Critical Information page.

The secret transmissions will emanate from KPH on the U.S. west coast on a variety of frequencies. The CW transmissions will start at 2100Z. RTTY transmissions will follow. Let’s hope for good radio conditions that day.

 

ICQ Podcast Episode 397: Spy station, solar cycle 25, 100-year-old club, GMRS

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For ICQ Podcast Episode 397, I joined Martin Butler M1MRB, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, Ed Durrant DD5LP and Chris Howard M0TCH to discuss the following topics:

Numbers stations, revisited

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I have written about numbers stations before (Uno, Dos, Tres…; On the Internet – 11/26/12), but thanks to the guys on the Glowbugs Google Group, I now have some more information:

  • The Numbers Station. Released earlier this year, this movie starts John Cusack. Here is the IMDB description: A disgraced black ops agent is dispatched to a remote CIA broadcast station to protect a code operator. Soon, they find themselves in a life-or-death struggle to stop a deadly plot before it’s too late.

    It’s currently available for streaming on Netflix, and I watched it tonight. It’s kind of violent (lots of people get shot), but it’s a decent thriller.

  • ENIGMA 2000. This group’s website describes the group as “a UK based online group, whose aims are to bring together listeners and enthusiasts who monitor and gather information on ‘Number Stations’ and other related radio transmissions. Through our Yahoo Group monitors can share their logs, discuss frequencies, thoughts and opinions on this most emotive subject.”

    Jim, K6FWT, notes, “These folks are SERIOUS enthusiasts. I have heard that they surpass many intelligence services with their thoroughness. You can get in up to your eyeballs if you  don’t watch it.”