ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter - Issue 4

May 2001
Articles, newsreports and Items of interest : e2k_news@hotmail.com

Oddities

The Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance [SID] experienced around 30/03 to 02/04 was of sufficient magnitude to blank out the signals from the buzzer S28 on 4625kHz. Other frequencies were likewise affected severely attenuating, or preventing, the propagation of signals throughout the HF spectrum. Perusal of a Spectrum Analyser in South London showed a general depression in sigs from 1.8 to 30MHz. The buzzer, usually an extremely loud signal was totally inaudible along with a few BC stations as well.

A nasty buzzsaw signal is still heard around 5250kHz and nearby frequencies. Its twin, as reported by D of Kent has again resurfaced around 7019kHz.

A rapid blip is appearing on 5412.27 kHz and has been reported by Eddy of Australia. We have not heard this signal which Eddy reported as 'strongest about 1000Z, seems to fade a little around 1200Z and progressively weaken.' Eddy then reported later that it had also been heard in Chita, Ru. and is 'particularly strong.' Subsequent monitoring in GB has resulted in a constant carrier on one occasion although Eddy has contacted us to say that he has heard some pips, the signal now remains silent.

We would be glad to be informed of all anomalies heard and we thank Eddy of Australia for his particular assistance here.

Alarm

We have not seen any reports of this emergent oddity. Has this been heard since its last appearance?

Last heard on 5600kHz 1920Z 14/02. Prev freq was 9364.2kHz.

Faders (XF)

Found in exactly 7.5second bursts at 7.5, 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5, 45, 52.5 and 00 seconds. These can vary from single 7.5 burst to a transmission lasting anything up to 15 minutes, the 'Fading' element can occur at any 7.5 second point with the signal varying from a high to a low or going off air only to return without warning.

(It is interesting to note that transmissions always follow precise 'clock-time' e.g. any given 7.5 segment is always correctly positioned within the clock minute).

Frequencies used are 3215, 4477, 4496, 4560, 5146 (new), 5092, 5311, 5328, 5787, 6824, 6875, 7658, 9244, 10139, 10478, 11100, 11515, 13431, 20850 (new). Many other frequencies are also known. Full list available on request.

FSK bursts

Previously discussed in Issue 2, this particular station operates on 5435 kHz (approx) and can be heard along with E10's transmission.

If you know anything about this station, its purpose and transmitter location(s) or can decode its messages, please contact ENIGMA 2000.

Grasshopper

This rapidly ticking signal, sounding similar to a grasshopper is no longer a mystery or an oddity.

The sound has been confirmed to be that of the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network [SuperDARN]. Brian of Sussex e-mailed SuperDARN'S software engineer who stated «The answer is yes-it does sound like the SuperDARN radars. The radars run with a 7 second sampling period that consists of two parts...............» He then described the attributes of the signal. More can be found on Brian's excellent site, always shown at the end of this column; from the SuperDARN website or that of The University of Leicester Radio and SpacePhysics Group website. If you have never heard this signal it can be found around the following frequencies: 9428kHz, 10444 to 10514kHz and 12411kHz , from around 1900Z. [It can be heard during daylight on occasion as well].

Jet

2170kHz is the start frequency for this interesting sound. This is true mystery of the Short Wave. What kind of message this is capable of sending is anyone's guess. For a decent evenings listening follow it up the band to see where its coverage finally ends. Best heard after 1800Z and before 0600Z.

J of Aylesbury reported «Received 21:00 - 21:20 07/03/01 Freqs. 2170 2193 2381 2580 2592 2613 2656 2680 4206 4224 4229 4256 4266 4300 4565,» and further stated. «Seems more like a fast running diesel, similar to some of the older jammers. Does not appear to be blocking any broadcasts however.»

To prove this station is a world wide concern Eddy of Australia heard and identified JET on 16354kHz at 0700Z also sending a .wav file to prove it. His log goes on to show these frequencies:

4249kHz	1152Z	03/04
8220kHz	1234Z	03/04
16354kHz	0700Z	10/03
22617kHz	0435Z	27/03

Comments on this interesting oddity gratefully received.

Link 11

Since the recent bombing raids on Iraq by British and U.S. planes activity from LINK-11 seems to have increased sharply. All the following frequencies have been noted in use in February and March. 16625 16077 14000 11015 9280 9199 8030 7910 7833 7680 6881 5728 5420 5340 5210 5071 4782 4020. The WYFR transmission heard in the European afternoon period on 9280 in Chinese which suffers severe LINK-11 interference is broadcast via a relay transmitter in Taiwan.

Pip (S30)

Still pipping away on 3757kHz

Rapid pip

7505kHz

2013Z

29/03

Slot Machine (XSL)

Takashi of Nagasaki states that, « the slot machine, XSL, is heard on 4233, 4292, 6419, 6466, 8589 and 8704.5kHz. Last evening [0930Z 26/03] 4233kHz was RS56, and others were RS59. Vy powerful. »

Still being heard in US, Oceania and like areas.

8588.0kHz	1630Z	23/02
8703.5kHz	1630Z	23/02

XSL general transmission times [freqs of 8588.0//8703.5]

Sun	1600Z
Mon	1700Z	2215Z
Tue	1510Z	1530Z	1600Z
Wed	1500Z	1545Z
Thu	1600Z
Fri	1600Z			[Heard by C, UK at 1844Z as well as on 6417/6445kHz 05/01]
Sat	1600Z	1700Z

Times and frequencies taken from entries by JM [US]

This following observation was made by John of Aylesbury:

8588.0kHz	1650Z	25/03
8703.5kHz	1653Z	25/03
6417.0kHz	1655Z	25/03

whilst the following observations were made by Eddy of Australia:

4233.0kHz	0923Z	16/03	Weak signal here.
4293.0kHz	1006Z	16/03	poor signal but audible.
6417.0kHz	1124Z	22/03	good clear signal, especially as darkness falls.
6445.0kHz	0935Z	22/03	good clear signal.
8588.0kHz	1123Z	18/03	always strong, always clear
8703.5kHz	1212Z	03/04	always strong, always clear

Eddy writes the most valid comment:

«Without a doubt, the 8 MHz signals are always the best received here [Australia]. They are also the first ones I noticed, at least 18 months ago, when I was looking for the Panama Radio station marker on 8589 kHz. This signal has always been the strongest. The 8703.5 kHz signal is almost always as strong as 8588.0kHz»

Further observations will be made to receive this oddity and ENIGMA 2000 would like to hear from anyone, Europe/Aus or NZ/Stateside etc, willing/able to make observations, or offer constructive thought on this interesting unknown.

Teleprinter

This station is still active on 4710//6702//9000kHz.

Squeaky wheel

Previously reported on 3815kHz 2243Z 11/12 es 0014Z 21/01 es 2305Z 31/01, now reported by R as:

3756kHz	1832Z	01/02	Both transmissions continuous.
3815kHz	0201Z	25/02

MP3 file available on Ary's N&O site.

Whales (XM Backwards Music Station)

As before, For Europe try these historical frequencies: 5094, 6422, 6695, 8460, 10225 and 10513kHz. For the US: 4155, 5399, 6817, 9285, 10225 and 11209kHz

Zebedee

Last heard on 3070kHz 1803Z 01/02/01 [using LSB]. Please report to ENIGMA 2000

More Info on 'oddities' can be found on Brian of Sussex excellent web pages:
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/brogers/page2.html