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Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

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Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#51

Post by AlphaGeekZulu »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #43
AlphaGeekZulu wrote: post #10

N 48.690438° E 9.086693°

Neat, there's no Street View coverage but there is clear sattelite imagery: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RjGUAMExUrD6aqs59 Apple's maps version has that section blurred out though. Bing's sattelite images seem to be older, the antenna isn't visible on there yet and there's just building foundations: https://www.bing.com/maps?cp=48.690103%7E9.086240&lvl=18.8&s... . Can't determine how old those images are though.

Until around 2000-2004 there have even been 2 Antennas. The whole surrounding forest is a military training ground, obviously used by German Bundeswehr and US forces. There are German and US barracks on opposite ends of the area. Within the vicinity there are an UXO clearance service, K9 school, CQB training village, shooting ranges, lots of bunkers and who knows what.

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#52

Post by lukeinator42 »

JohnFen wrote: post #49
tdeck wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Shortwave radios are also cheap and widespread, so it's easy to get one anywhere in the world I always hear this in discussions about number stations, but I don't think this is true in the US. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a general consumer "shortwave radio". Unless the regular AM band counts, which seems to be medium wave.

I'm in the US. At least half of the people I know own shortwave radios, although most don't think of them as "shortwave radios". They're more often called "world radios" or some other such synonym. I could run out to a consumer electronics store right now and buy one. The younger people I know tend to own such a radio in the form of the Baofeng UV-5R or the like.

A Baofeng UV-5R cannot receive shortwave, it's in the VHF/UHF range for receive/transmit and can receive commercial FM broadcast.

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#53

Post by kreetx »

ndiddy wrote: post #31

If anyone is interested in further reading, this group are the world's leading experts on number stations (outside of intelligence services of course). They've done a detailed article on the new station, including recordings, technical mishaps, and analysis of why they believe the station is CIA run. https://priyom.org/number-stations/other/v32 > Considering the topical interest in this station, the Priyom team share…

Thanks for the link, really interesting!

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#54

Post by Obscurity4340 »

srean wrote: post #41

For intelligence agencies, it is important to communicate with their spies to gather intelligence,” says John Sipher, a former US intelligence officer Is Sipher really his name. Nominative determinism strikes again. Sifr is also a valid word both in Farsi, I think. An Ironic and cruel pun.

1/10 dentists hates nominative determinism. That dentist? Dr. Procter

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#55

Post by IAmBroom »

Supermancho wrote: post #17
rustyhancock wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shortwave radio is more challenging than you might imagine. Near to the transmitter it's received by ground wave, further it's scattered off the ionosphere. In-between it's undetectable due to the skip zone. This might also explain why Amelia Earhart went missing [1] Coverage is obtained from multipath and reflections. Leading to variable strength and timing. Not as bad as DXing on HF with low power but much harder t…

My father regailed tales of his college years where it was a game to have a HAM radio operator start broadcasting and to have teams try to find where they were hiding, first. More challenging? Not really. It does require multiple boots on the ground to do it.

Multiple boots on Iranian ground is tricky for Americans right now.

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#56

Post by srean »

JohnFen wrote: post #48
srean wrote: post #7

Does this move around geographically ? Triangulating broadcast location is a well understood craft.

The broadcast locations aren't really secret, and don't need to be.

Known locations can be taken out, no ?

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#57

Post by dang »

j16sdiz wrote: post #3

Better source: https://www.rferl.org/a/mystery-numbers-station-persian-sign...

Ok, we've changed to that from https://www.wired.com/story/a-mysterious-numbers-station-is-... above, and I've put the latter link in the toptext. Thanks!

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#58

Post by [deleted] »

srean wrote: post #41

For intelligence agencies, it is important to communicate with their spies to gather intelligence,” says John Sipher, a former US intelligence officer Is Sipher really his name. Nominative determinism strikes again. Sifr is also a valid word both in Farsi, I think. An Ironic and cruel pun.

[deleted]

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#59

Post by OJFord »

srean wrote: post #41

For intelligence agencies, it is important to communicate with their spies to gather intelligence,” says John Sipher, a former US intelligence officer Is Sipher really his name. Nominative determinism strikes again. Sifr is also a valid word both in Farsi, I think. An Ironic and cruel pun.

> Sifr is also a valid word both in Farsi, I think

That is the root of 'cipher'; meaning zero/empty/nothingness.

Re: Random numbers, Persian code: A mysterious signal transfixes radio sleuths

#60

Post by JohnFen »

lukeinator42 wrote: post #52
JohnFen wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in the US. At least half of the people I know own shortwave radios, although most don't think of them as "shortwave radios". They're more often called "world radios" or some other such synonym. I could run out to a consumer electronics store right now and buy one. The younger people I know tend to own such a radio in the form of the Baofeng UV-5R or the like.

A Baofeng UV-5R cannot receive shortwave, it's in the VHF/UHF range for receive/transmit and can receive commercial FM broadcast.

Ah, true. My mistake.
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