Embassy communications

[Matt285]

Does anyone ever log communications coming out of embassies ? I would imagine these days its probably just testing from time to time. Please let me know your thoughts and experience with this type of reception. Thanks

[Josh]

Here's a group who monitor embassy traffic as well as other traffics;
https://groups.io/g/UDXF

And their glorious files section;
http://www.udxf.nl/ute-info.html

http://www.udxf.nl/US-Dept-of-State.pdf
http://www.udxf.nl/Egyptian-diplo.pdf
http://www.udxf.nl/Decoding-MFA-Egypt.pdf

http://www.numbersoddities.nl/

HF Underground's very own Ary might have something to do with the above.

[Matt285]

Thanks Josh!

[Josh]

Here are some embassy comms caught recently, courtesy our friends at udxf;

10733.6 KWR91A : US Embassy   0606 ALE/USB clg KWR96 (16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
10733.6 KWX90 : US Embassy Dublin IRL 0730 ALE/USB clg KWT49, KWY23
(16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11168.6 KWR91A : US Embassy   0616 ALE/USB clg KWR96 (16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11168.6 KWS93 : US Embassy   0717 ALE/USB clg KWX57 [Warsaw] (16OCT2019)
(DK8OK)
11168.6 KWS95 : US Embassy   0643 ALE/USB clg KWX57, r/c in USB
(16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11168.6 KWX90 : US Embassy Dublin IRL 0755 ALE/USB clg KWT49, KWY23,
KWT50 (16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11168.6 WNG831 : US Diplomatic Network [?]   0936 ALE/USB clg WNG833
(16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11169.7 55501 : Egyptian Embassy Havana Havana CUB 2127 CODAN Chirp
(16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11350 GANOB6 : UNID [presumed Egyptian Net]   1342 ALE/USB with HQ4
(16OCT2019) (DK8OK)
11350 HQ4 : UNID [presumed Egyptian Net]   1342 ALE/USB clg GANOB6
(16OCT2019) (DK8OK)

Some digital hf comms can be decoded via Sorcerer as well as other apps;
http://www.kd0cq.com/2013/07/sorcerer-decoder-download/

[Matt285]

Thanks Josh. What are the typical communications you've noticed in regards to content of the messages and modes of communications as far as USB, LSB, CW or RTTY type modes. I guess what Im saying is are there any give away type things, such as when your listening to HFGCS, Hellfire, mainsail etc? Thanks

[Josh]

US DOS will have ssb voice and ALE comms in English, with chat on the ALE orderwire/amd output but otherwise digital modes will be encrypted. Most foreign embassy comms heard on hf will be in 5F groups, so encrypted, by opchat (operator chatter, talk between the radio techs running the radios) may take place before and after a message is sent and this will be in the clear in whatever lang the operators speak.

Here's an excellent writeup on the subject;
http://www.udxf.nl/Decoding-MFA-Egypt.pdf