We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission  (Read 7333 times)

Offline ChrisSmolinski

  • Administrator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 31106
  • Westminster, MD USA
    • View Profile
    • Black Cat Systems
The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« on: September 03, 2013, 1405 UTC »
[youtube]CMmxRYZWzSQ[/youtube]

Youtube video description:

The Yosemite Sam signal is an AM broadcast which has been happening like clockwork since February 2005. It was first reported on December 19, 2004, but went off the air 5 days later and did not start back up until the following February). It is a recording of Yosemite Sam saying: "Varmint, I'm a-gonna b-b-b-bloooow yah t'smithereens!"
The transmission is sent from somewhere in the southwestern desert of the United States, and begins at exactly seven seconds after the top of the hour. It is repeated on 4 different frequencies in ascending order, and exactly 10 seconds pass before the transmission is repeated on the next frequency. The processes is then repeated twice, and therefore takes 2 minutes to complete.
Here are the frequencies:
3700 kHz
4300 kHz
6500 kHz
10500 kHz
The sound clip was apparently taken from the 1949 cartoon Bunker Hill Bunny, and is preceded in the transmission by an 800 millisecond "data burst."
It is believed that the broadcasting station is somewhere near Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is interesting because in many episodes of Merry Melodies Bugs Bunny would become lost and repeat the phrase: "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."
Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

Offline jazzjester

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Central Cali
    • View Profile
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2013, 1449 UTC »
That is freakin great!

Offline PresentedIn4D

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 187
  • Syracuse, NY
    • View Profile
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2013, 1710 UTC »
i cant help but be a killjoy with that video...makes me kinda sad.
Syracuse, NY // FN13ua
40m Doublet + WiNRADIO Excalibur / Kenwood TS-2000
qsl @ presentedin4d at gmail . com

Offline RadioAnarchy

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 43
  • south Louisiana swamp and bayou country.
    • View Profile
    • Radio Anarchy
    • Email
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2013, 2254 UTC »
Yes, I received this 75 meter DSB signal back then when I was living in Southern California.

I used the hear the HAMS talk about it and want to get it....  funny
Them CBer types that get their HAM licenses are like that.
the "radio police"

and I thought that they found this beacon  to be some US Gov contract employees
inside some secret compound, just playing around.

.

Fansome

  • Guest
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2013, 0258 UTC »
This was certainly one of the most interesting things that I've ever heard on HF. It really had the DXers and hams in a tizzy, right up there with “She had your dark suit in greasy wash water all year”.

The story that it was a government contractor has been circulating for quite a while; supposedly a couple of hams located the site on some military reservation in New Mexico, and the broadcasts stopped shortly thereafter. However, I've also heard that no one ever really figured it out, and that the "hams found it" story was some sort of myth. Who knows...

Offline Pigmeat

  • Marconi Class DXer
  • ********
  • Posts: 6684
    • View Profile
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2013, 1042 UTC »
Wasn't yer ex working at that place then, Yosemite Al?

Offline olddxer

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 371
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2013, 1151 UTC »
Very interesting, thanks Chris!
Anan 8000DLE, Drake R8B, NRD-515, Perseus SDR, a bunch of Hammarlunds, Inverted V multiband dipole

Merohde@columbus.rr.com

Fansome

  • Guest
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2013, 1701 UTC »
Actually, I was up that way around 1999. I was using the name "Stayner" back then...

Wasn't yer ex working at that place then, Yosemite Al?

Offline skeezix

  • Global Moderator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 5545
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • What does 'RNO stand for?
    • View Profile
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2013, 0210 UTC »
Have heard of Yosemite, but never heard it.

That video is interesting- it said there was embedded data in there. That would lend some credence to the gov't (contractors or otherwise) as this is perhaps a test of embedding data into seemingly innocuous messages. Different freqs for testing propagation of this mode.

Is it still on the air today?
Minneapolis, MN

Offline Pigmeat

  • Marconi Class DXer
  • ********
  • Posts: 6684
    • View Profile
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2013, 1204 UTC »
It lasted a few months, Skeez, disappeared for about a year and turned up again for a short time.

It seems to me the last report I saw of it was in either the summer of '08 or '09? It was a one off thing that time around. It makes me wonder if it wasn't someone with a recording of the earlier broadcasts playing around?

I thought you were using the name "Bob Lazar" back then, Al?

Offline Zoidberg

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 2364
  • Gopher Stomp, Texas
  • i c u
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: The mysterious Yosemite Sam radio transmission
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2013, 0245 UTC »
I've heard about the Yosemite Sam station before, but that video was a darned entertaining summary of the phenomenon.
That li'l ol' DXer from Texas
Unpleasant Frequencies Crew
Al: Palstar R30C & various antennae
Snoopy: Sony ICF-2010
Roger: Magnavox D2935
(Off-air recordings.)

 

HFUnderground T-Shirt
HFUnderground House Flag
by MitchellTimeDesigns