Topics

361

North American Shortwave Pirate / V. Cpt Ron Shortwave, 6930 USB, 0110 UTC, May 4, 2012

« on: May 04, 2012, 0120 UTC »

Voice of Captain Ron Shortwave up on 6930 USB, 0110 UTC.  ID heard 0116 UTC, may have been one earlier.  Signal is about S4 and mostly copiable, but not real strong.

T!

362

HF Beacons / "W" Windy back, 4102.3 kHz, 04/20/2012, 0050z

« on: April 20, 2012, 1252 UTC »

It would appear that the "W" Windy beacon is back up on 4102.3 kHz.  Have not seen this one for a while, I had heard something about it being damaged.  Back up and beeping rates changing with the wind speed again.

T!

363

Utility / Unknown purpose Pips, multiple frequencies, April 18, 2012

« on: April 18, 2012, 1519 UTC »

Last night an unusual signal was reported in IRC.  Not an uncommon occurrence

A CW “Pip” was reported on multiple frequencies at the same time first noted about 0247z.  These pips were CW bursts about 70 milliseconds long occurring every 3.00 seconds.  They were on multiple frequencies all in synchronization and simultaneous transmissions.  The frequencies ranged from below 6 MHz to above 12 MHz.    The frequency spacing of the signals were clearly defined and changed as the frequency increased, from each 90 kHz at the low end to each 150 kHz at the high end.  All frequencies were not found, as the signal terminated while I (and others) was trying to define all the frequencies.  All frequencies terminated transmission at the same time (0339z).

They were heard all across the USA, from New York to California, and Washington to Florida.

Video of one frequency as received at my location here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBtMxRIcyFg

The known frequencies were:
5670, 6150, 6240, 6330, 6420, 6720, 6820, 6920, 7020, 7130, 7240, 7460, 7570, 7680, 7800, 7920, 8040, 8160, 8280, 8400, 8530, 8660, 9050, 9190, 9900, 10200, 10350, and 10510 kHz.  28 defined frequencies in my log.  Reports were received of it operating above 12 MHz, but the signals stopped when I had only found them up to 10510 kHz and unfortunately I did not note in my log the specific frequencies others were reporting.  If you note the pattern of the frequency spacing you see that:
 6150 to 6420 was spaced each 90 kHz
6720 to 7020 was spaced each 100 kHz
7020 to 7680 was spaced each 110 kHz
7680 to 8400 was spaced each 120 kHz
8400 to 8660 was spaced each 130 kHz
9050 and 9190 was spaced at 140 kHz
10200 to 10350 was spaced at 150 kHz
10350 to 10510 was spaced at 160 kHz.

Several frequencies that fell on the correct spacing were occupied by SW BC stations, so it is quite possible they were also used by the Pips, but not able to be received at my location.

I have seen these pips in the past, on discrete frequencies, but never realized they were on more than one frequency at a time.  I will be watching for them in the future, to see if they always use the same frequencies and what the upper and lower frequency limits might be, as well as if the frequency spacing stays predictable at all times.

T!

364

North American Shortwave Pirate / 6930 USB, 0250 UTC, 04/18/2012, Voice of Capt Ron SHortwave

« on: April 18, 2012, 0255 UTC »

Voice of Capt Ron SHortwave, 6930 USB.  Op got himself an RF Burn when he touched the hot wire.

I have the station at about S7 and fairly strong here in the Mojave Desert of California.  But audio is pinched and a little narrow.

T!

(edit)  ID 0258. Yeah Ron, normaly you are a little wider audio, did not recognize it at first because of that.

365

North American Shortwave Pirate / Pirate Radio 0328 UTC, 04/15/2012, 6966 CW, Radio Doom

« on: April 15, 2012, 0334 UTC »

Pirate Radio station on 6966 kHz CW, 0328 UTC, 04/15/2012

Radio Doom

"CQ Pirate Radio cooming soon doomsday on the air 2012.  radio doom cq pirate radio cq pirate radio coming soon doomsday on the air 2012 . . . radio doom."

T!

366

North American Shortwave Pirate / Spoof numbers stations, 6210 kHz, USB, 2020 UTC, April 06, 2012

« on: April 06, 2012, 2137 UTC »

Hello all,

Going to put this in the Pirates section, since I rather suspect it belongs here

A “numbers” sounding station was heard on 6210 kHz USB starting about 2020 UTC today (April 06, 2012).  It was alittle suspect right from the get-go, the “buzzer” noises combined with the 00000 at the end, and letters sent, kind of had a minor smell to them.

The same message was apparently sent twice.

I have partial recordings of both the first and second messages.  Unfortunately all of my recorders were busy on other tasks until I realized this was something worth recording, even if just for the funny factor.  So, although I heard the entire second transmission I did not record the CVY callup.

The tail end of the first transmission is here:
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/Odd_Letters_6210_USB_04062012_2029_rem.mp3

The second transmission I go t most of.  I started recording right after the last “Charlie Victor Yankee” was sent.  The tones heard are part of the transmission, and I believe the recording captured them all.
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/Odd_Letters_6210_USB_04062012_2035_rem.mp3

Both of the above transmissions were recorded by me using a Perseus remote in northern Germany.  However, I also tuned it in with a Perseus remote in Greece, and it was heard there, although less strong.  Those were the only two I had time to try.

Supposedly the message has been cracked using Cryptool, and the results are pretty clear that it is a spoof/fake.

T!

367

Spy Numbers / New voice for Korean language numbers station V24, April 02, 2012

« on: April 02, 2012, 2307 UTC »

Hello all,

This morning it appears that V24 used a new voice for its only transmission of
the day.

The schedule (latest here
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/V24_M94_latest_sched.JPG ) indicated there
should be three transmissions today. However, both of the 5115 kHz slots did
not go today, and only the 6215 kHz 1500 UTC slot was active.

I was not really listening to the transmissions, only tuning a receiver to them
to confirm they did or did not go, and I tuned to the 6215 kHz freq several
minutes after the transmission started, after the music would have been
complete. I was surprised to hear the station on the air, but using a voice I
have never heard before.

I started recording at that time, but had missed the entire callup.

The ending is different from past transmissions, but the format was still 5f 2/3
and 3/2.

Video of the last several minutes of the transmission here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v8ul9s-bYU

Tomorrow there should be 5 transmissions, and I will record all of them form the
beginning of each time period. It will be interesting to see if the new voice
is used for all transmissions.

368

Spy Numbers / Numbers station, similar to E07, April 1, 2012

« on: April 02, 2012, 0322 UTC »

A numbers station some are calling the “female E07” (and the format is very much like the numbers station designated E07, except E07 is a male voice) apparently had at least two transmission schedules this morning, April 1, 2012.

1410z, 16332 kHz, USB, callup 253, ID 8776, 27 groups

1510z, 16264 kHz, USB, callup 831, ID 8776, 27 groups
1520z, 14353 kHz, USB, callup 831, ID 8776, 27 groups

The messages in both the 14XXz and 15XXz time slots were identical.  I have recordings for both time slots.  The three transmissions I heard were moderate strength here in California, ranging from S5 to S9.  There were quite possibly transmissions at 1400z, 1420z, and 1500z, that I did not hear.

The voice has an odd sound to it, almost as if there was multipath or aurora on it, but checking a remote in Europe (Austria) yielded a similar sound.

Video of the 1410z transmission here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERGW0UYne0o

Video of the 1510z transmission here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH2WReY3wYw

T!

369

North American Shortwave Pirate / 6925 USB, 0203z

« on: April 02, 2012, 0207 UTC »

Someone is up on 6925 USB, started about 0203z, I suspect Turtlehead, but no ID so far.

T!


(edit) and off at 0207, no ID heard.

370

HF Beacons / "BCN" on 13561.88 kHz

« on: March 18, 2012, 2227 UTC »

Got what appears to be a beacon sending....wait for it..."BCN" in CW on 13561.88 kHz.  2225 UTC, March 18, 2012.

T!

371

North American Shortwave Pirate / KMUD, 6925 USB, 0100, 03/18/2012

« on: March 18, 2012, 0114 UTC »

KMUD up with Irish themed music on 6925 USB, started about 0057 UTC, 03/18/2012.  ID at 0112.

T!


Edit:  Off at 0231, announced 50 W PEP.  Announced as "from the realm of Inyo" and at one point said "Black Rock Radio", along with multiple times of saying "Northern Mojave Desert".  If all of those are indicators of where they transmitted from it was some remote and pretty country, and on a windy and slightly stormy night.

372

North American Shortwave Pirate / 6935 USB, Red Mercury Labs

« on: March 11, 2012, 0317 UTC »

Red Mercury Labs very loud and clear here in the Mojave Desert.

T!

373

Spy Numbers / V07 logs and observations January to early March, 2012, and schedule table

« on: March 04, 2012, 1412 UTC »

V07 logs and observations January to early March, 2012, and schedule table to date.


One of the several numbers stations I monitor from time to time is the Spanish language V07.  While V07 is in Spanish the source is most likely Russian.  The source might be in Asiatic Russia from RFDF but no one that I know of is quite sure.

I post periodic updates on this station to both the Enigma 2000 group and to the UDXF Utilities monitoring group.  The following is my update posted March 04, 2012, to both of those groups.  As part of these updates I normally produce a chart of past performance to use for future transmission predictions.

V07 remains active and well heard on the west coast of the US in its Sunday morning schedule.  It is still in the 0100/0120/0140 time period for the 6th month in a row, with some interesting frequency trends.  In December 2011 I predicted that the station would stay in the 0100/0120/0140 time slots until the end of March and change to 0300/0320/0340 in April.  The first transmissions of March are still in the 0100 pattern, so it looks like the first part of that prediction was correct, lets see what happens in April.

It appears that in March V07 has returned to the 18074/15874/14374 frequency set it used in October and November of 2011.

The chart of trends, times, and frequencies used for 2011 and 2012 (up to March 4, 2012) is here:
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/V07_latest_sched.JPG

On February 28, 2012, (Tuesday morning) at 0120 UTC on 13903 kHz I ran into a CW station for the last few characters.  It looked like it was probably M12 with a null message and the bearing was the same as the V07 bearing on Sunday mornings.  The November 20, 2011, M12 in the V07 times slot/frequency I reported in the past has always made me assume there was an M12 associated with this source, but I have never found it.  It is possible the Tuesday morning schedule M12 is the one I am looking for.

T!
Mojave Desert, California USA

Logs:
 
January 2012 receptions:

01/01/2012, 0100 UTC, 16037 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 661, null msg
01/01/2012, 0120 UTC, 14637 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 661, null msg
01/08/2012, 0100 UTC, 16037 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 661, null msg
01/08/2012, 0120 UTC, 14637 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 661, null msg
01/15/2012, 0100 UTC, 16037 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 661, ID 352, 82 grps
01/15/2012, 0120 UTC, 14637 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 661, ID 352, 82 grps
01/15/2012, 0140 UTC, 12137 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 661, ID 352, 82 grps
01/22/2012, 0100 UTC, 16037 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 661, ID 134, 69 grps
01/22/2012, 0120 UTC, 14637 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 661, ID 134, 69 grps
01/22/2012, 0140 UTC, 12137 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 661, ID 134, 69 grps
Missed 01/29/2012 transmissions

February 2012 receptions:

02/05/2012, 0100 UTC, 18368 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 329, ID 224, 91 grps
02/05/2012, 0120 UTC, 16268 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 329, ID 224, 91 grps
02/05/2012, 0140 UTC, 13968 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 329, ID 224, 91 grps
02/12/2012, 0100 UTC, 18368 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 329, null msg
02/12/2012, 0120 UTC, 16268 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 329, null msg
02/19/2012, 0100 UTC, 18368 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 329, ID 327, 77 grps
02/19/2012, 0120 UTC, 16268 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 329, ID 327, 77 grps
02/19/2012, 0140 UTC, 13968 kHz, USB, V07, YL SS 5f, Callup 329, ID 327, 77 grps
02/26/2012, 0100 UTC, 18368 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 329, null msg
02/26/2012, 0120 UTC, 16268 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 329, null msg

March 2012 receptions

03/04/2012, 0100 UTC, 18074 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 883, null msg
03/04/2012, 0120 UTC, 15874 kHz, USB, V07, Callup 883, null msg

374

Spy Numbers / V24 and M94 observations to early March, 2012, with prediction table

« on: March 04, 2012, 1410 UTC »

One of the several numbers stations I monitor from time to time is the Korean language V24 and CW sister station M94. V24 and M94 originate in South Korea.

I post periodic updates on this station to both the Enigma 2000 group and to the UDXF Utilities monitoring group. The following is my update posted March 04, 2012, to both of those groups. As part of these updates I normally produce a chart of past performance to use for future transmission predictions.

It has been a while since I provided an update to V24 and M94. Version 5, current as of March 3, 2012, of the V24/M94 predicted transmission schedule is up at:
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/V2...test_sched.JPG

V24 and M94 again have gone through some fairly significant changes since my last update. It appears that every other month for about the last 12 months they have shaken things up. In December and January they appear to have removed 6730 and 6310 kHz from use. Starting the first of February 4600 and 5715 kHz were removed from use. 5715 was the oldest used frequency for V24/M94 that I know of, with indications it had been in use for decades. This leaves the only currently active V24/M94 frequencies as 4900, 5115, 6215, and 6310 kHz. M94 is only active for 4 transmissions each month, and only on 5115 kHz. I have been searching for new V24/M94 frequencies and so far have not found any. It is possible that I caught the tail end (last two words and then carrier off) of a transmission on 5215 kHz in the 1430 time slot on January 31, 2012, but if that was actually a V24 transmission and not something else it has not shown on that frequency again.

The reduction to only 4 frequencies does not necessarily indicate a reduction in usage for V24. The total number of messages each month are only down a few percent (based on the number of transmissions each month) from the combined V24 and M94s average over the last few years. And considering only the reported V24 transmissions the traffic would be up slightly from what it was in late 2009. This would support the theory that some of the M94 transmissions converting to V24 last year (2011).

T!
Mojave Desert, California, USA


M94 receptions for February, 2012, at my location.

2012-02-10 1400 UTC 5115 kHz M94
2012-02-11 1400 UTC 5115 kHz M94
2012-02-26 1400 UTC 5115 kHz M94
2012-02-27 1400 UTC 5115 kHz M94


V24 receptions for February, 2012, at my location.

2012-02-01 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-01 1500 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-01 1530 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-02 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-02 1530 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-02 1600 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-03 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-03 1330 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-03 1530 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-03 1600 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-04 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-04 1330 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-04 1500 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-05 1400 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-05 1430 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-05 1500 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-05 1630 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-06 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-06 1400 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-06 1430 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-06 1630 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-07 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-10 1430 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-10 1500 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-10 1530 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-11 1430 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-11 1500 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-11 1630 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-12 1630 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-14 1240 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-14 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-15 1240 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-15 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-15 1430 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-15 1530 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-16 1430 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-16 1500 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-16 1530 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-17 1500 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-17 1530 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-18 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-18 1330 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-18 1530 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-18 1600 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-19 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-19 1330 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-19 1600 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-19 1630 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-20 1400 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-20 1430 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-20 1500 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-20 1630 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-21 1400 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-21 1430 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-21 1500 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-22 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-23 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-23 1330 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-23 1630 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-24 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-24 1330 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-25 1300 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-26 1500 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-26 1630 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-27 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-27 1500 UTC 6215 kHz V24
2012-02-28 1240 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-28 1300 UTC 6310 kHz V24
2012-02-29 1240 UTC 4900 kHz V24
2012-02-29 1500 UTC 5115 kHz V24
2012-02-29 1530 UTC 4900 kHz V24

375

Spy Numbers / UnkID numbers station, EE YL 5l, 11000 kHz AM, multiple time slots Jan 21, 2012

« on: January 21, 2012, 1731 UTC »

The odd Unknown EE OM 5 letter group transmissions that have been taking place on 10400, 11000, 13400, and 16000 with a male synthesized voice today had a female synthesized voice, a different pace, and a new message.  It also transmitted in multiple time slots and today all the transmissions so far that I have received have been in AM.

The new voice and pace is hard to understand, also the odd pronunciations doesn’t help a lot.

The message now starts with “Golf Romeo 1 8   November 9 Yankee” and ends with “end of message   end of message”.  The OM voice messages in the past contained no EOM statement.  Today’s message does contain 18 groups and takes about 90 seconds to complete a cycle.

Video of the transmission at 1436 UTC here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQJ0uu1e0e4

Video of the old voice on the same frequency here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgMwE7gvcNk

1433 - 1458 UTC, UnkID, EE, YL, 5l, 11000 kHz, AM*.  First time period noted.  Tuned to in progress.  Prior to my tuning to the station another listener reported hearing a short burst, just a few notes of music over top of one of the 5 letter gorups.  There is a recording of this available (not my recording but I have a copy).  It sounds like the alert music for an incoming Instant Message.  Transmission ended in mid letter.

1515 – 1541 UTC, UnkID, EE, YL, 5l, 11000 kHz AM*.  Second time period noted.  Tuned to the transmission during the first cycle (noted carrier come up on the SDR waterfall and tuned to it a few seconds later, message was in progress).  Again the transmission ended in mid letter.

1600 – 1627 UTC, UnkID, EE, YL, 5l, 11000 kHz AM*.  Second time period noted.  Tuned to the transmission during the first cycle (noted carrier come up on the SDR waterfall and tuned to it a few seconds later, message was in progress).  About 1625:15 the IM message alert sound occurred and 20 seconds later the sound of a creaking door closing and slamming was heard, this sound is often used for IM programs to indicate someone has signed off.  30 seconds after that the transmission ended again in mid letter.

The voice used today was rather hard to understand.  I would say this is pretty ineffective to get a message across.  Of course, since the same message was repeated more than 15 times each time period I guess there was ample opportunity to correct any wrong heard letters.

This station has a fake or amateur like feel to it (and by amateur I do not mean a “ham radio” feel or sound, but rather I mean “not professional”).  I would be tempted to call it a fake, but if so it is a determined fake.  It has been operational for months, it is heard over a wide area (probably fair power level, today remotes in Japan heard it weakly and I could hear it here in California usably, but it was loud on every remote in Europe that I tried, Finland to Greece, and UK to Moscow), some days (like today) it has transmitted for over an hour total time.  So I end up believing it is probably not a fake after all, but really, who knows.

*For those not familiar with the shorthand sometimes used in radio, particularly with regards to numbers stations, “UnkID, EE, YL, 5l” means “Unknown station (UnkID), English language (EE), female voice (YL), 5 letter groups repeated one time each (5l).

T!