ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter - Issue 4

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

Morse stations | Voice stations | Oddities
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Selected voice stations

NORTH KOREA - North Korea has suspended shortwave broadcasts of coded numbers to South Korea as at the end of December according to the Asian Broadcasting Institute. North Korea has ceased numbers broadcasts in voice after five decades of operations. Numbers broadcasts operated by Pyongyang in A-3 mode have stopped by December after their activities gradually decreased following the first-ever inter-Korea summit meeting in June 2000 between South Korean president Kim Dae Jun and North Korean leader Kim Jon II. There were three kinds of outlets for numbers transmissions in voice before the halt of such transmissions.

The first one that opened with Red Flag Song over Radio Pyongyang at midnight local time almost daily was last heard on August 25. Another numbers station on 4770 kHz and 5870 kHz that opened with an interval signal arranged from Song of General Kim II Sung was last monitored on September 11 while the third outlet over Radio Pyongyang that opened with March of the Guerrilla Army was last intercepted December 8. Still, North Korea continues number transmissions in Morse code. (ABI via Yamashita via Cumbre DX) British DX Club.

Unidentified stations

There have been two unidentified stations discovered.

Possibly Chinese unidentified station

The first is believed to be Chinese. It has been heard on 11433kHz at 1400Z on 06/03 & 08/03 [Tues & Thurs]. Much more info req'd please.

The second was noted on 21/03 at 2115Z on 10080kHz [tnx C] and consists of Arabic style male/female reading phrases and numbers between 1800 and 2130Z. [Jamming may continue as late as 2157Z].

This station operates on 8600,10080 and 12450kHz and is apparently hard to hear due to heavy jamming. The Male format is a continuous loop for 60s with a 20s break, phrases; whilst the Female format is similar with numbers. Best heard on 10080kHz. Clandestine Radio Watch has called the station 'Sedeye Mojahed' and says that it is broadcast from Iraq and jammed from Iran.

[Later info from a monitor: try 8600kHz -  recently as good as 10080kHz].

This info recently received [04/04] addresses the second new station:

SEDEYE MOJAHED

This unusual station was first noted in mid March on 10080 kHz around 21.00 UTC, repeating sentences with a female announcer. Further investigation and information gleaned from Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) indicates that it is believed to be a numbers "type" station, and not a clandestine broadcaster. It operates on 8600 10080 and 12450 kHz between 17.30 and 21.30 UTC.

Time lines are rather erratic due to the stations desire to avoid heavy jamming. The format consist of a mainly female announcer who repeats a message of approximately 1 to 2 minutes duration, long pause are not uncommon. This continues in 10 to 15 minute blocks followed by long pauses or breaks in transmission of up to 30 minutes when the whole cycle starts again.

Looking at the frequencies used by Iraqi and Kurdistan clandestines they do not venture much outside the 4 to 8 MHz range, however this station uses 10 & 12 MHz which may suggest the targets are further away.

CRW monitors suggest that the language is Farsi and the station is broadcast from Iraq and is jammed by Iran. On Fri March 30th following the 17.30 transmission 12450 remained on the air, a second format was then noted. Music (which was of typical Middle Eastern style) was played for 5 minutes and then interspersed with the female announcements, this cycle of music and announcements continued until 18.30. These Farsi language transmissions may be aimed at agents operating in Iran or Afghanistan, the use of phrases are not uncommon and were used during WWII and also by the Tyrolean Music Station (G1). It is also possible that this station may be a Western or US backed initiative. Any information about the station or Farsi translations would be most welcome. I am sure working at Sedeye Mojahed must be endless fun !

For reference Farsi numbers are as follows:

My thanks to Dan Horn and Tom Brink at the "Digits Project" for information on Farsi numbers.

A forwarded e-mail, from Robert L Harwood, concerning this new station reads:

«There is a new channel for the presumed Farsi clandestine signal, which I have labelled as "ayom". This word or phrase is very often the first word in a sentence and must be a preposition or adjective.

Here is the log entry.

February 27 2130 12450 kHz DSB. "Ayom" heard but with moderate to severe bubble jammers. Female announcer reading sentences which are repeated. // 10080.

February 27 2040 10080 DSB "Ayom" is there but completely swamped by very wide bubble jammers in excess of 16 kHz. Earliest I have heard them here which is indicative that they must be on that channel for over 90 minutes.

8600 kHz also had bubble jammers present but no discernible modulation. A few days back there were intermittent snatches of audio so the sender may be experiencing modulation problems.

It was also the weakest of the three.

From my monitoring, it is very difficult to determine whether it is a broadcast or a spy numbers station. Yesterday the station concluded with a music bridge yet "Cherry Ripe/ Lincolnshire Poacher" do likewise. The broadcaster that formerly was on 8850 kHz variable has not been heard lately. This did have speeches and rousing choruses and also suffered from identical jamming but were never as strong as "ayom" nor were they long on any given channel. I think we can deduce that the latter is definitely a different operation from "ayom".

From other observations, it is clear that 'ayom" is located in the Middle East possibly even Israel as 4XZ in Haifa is on 10045 at similar times.

It clearly is no shoestring outfit compared to the 8850 "Voice of the Mujahaddin" because to be on several frequencies with a stable carrier is indicative of being located at a major site. I am awaiting translation of their audio which may clarify things.

I am somewhat puzzled if it indeed is a spy station, why the presence of several bubble jammers spilling over. They too must be expending quite a bit of energy yet they are spasmodic. Some days they are absent particularly on Sundays (UTC). Anbody else hearing them? What times and/or channels?

Robin Harwood "Spotlight on SWLing" -Amateur Radio magazine.»

At 0600Z on Thursday 22nd February it was rumoured that Israel placed its forces on a high state of readiness having been alerted of the movements of six Iraqi armoured divisions. It is thought that US Intelligence informed the Israelis after detecting the movements near to the Syrian border as well as picking up Iraqi preparations for a long-range missile attack. It is thought that this information was a result of surveillance by satellite.

A warning, it is reported, was also given to Iraqi Intelligence by a European government, rumoured to be Great Britain, that such an attack, or preparations for such an attack, would be pre-empted by Israel who would neutralise the Iraqi ground forces and missile positions.

Whilst it appears to be an incredulous story, there were US and Israeli alerts on Feb 22nd in response to received intelligence that the Iraqi forces had made ready missile launchers. This assessment resulted in the fielding of a theory that Iraq was testing the capabilities of the US and Israeli Intelligence agencies to detect such movements by Iraq.

With the above in question we ask monitors to look out for any changes of transmissions, messages or whatever of E10, E15 and E25.

We were contacted by ENIGMA member Takashi of Nagasaki who sent most useful and interesting information. For those able to hear them, Takashi informs us that:

«Korean female numbers have been divided into following four groups.

V: QRH (drift) S: a lot of spurious

Group A, AA and B, V15, that were coming from North Korea went QRT last August, December and September.
Southern and Northern harmony?

621 and 3250kHz were famous R. Pyongyang frequency beamed to Japan.

Group C, without ENIGMA code, possibly coming from South Korea, is still on at H+00 or H+30 in East Asian midnight (1300-1700z), mainly using 6215kHz that is a famous worldwide maritime distress and safety channel.»

Takashi also mentioned that in the last year he found E10 to be very active on a frequency of 23740kHz. On some transmissions he also found parallel frequencies of 21930kHz and on two occasions 19715kHz.

He also found that the Russian weird Man numbers start at 1104Z every Thursday and not 1130Z mentioned before. He asks if the signals are from the confirmed S21 but continues to say that another regular contributor says that it is a variant S06. [see S21 issue3]. Thanks Takashi.

ENIGMA 2000 would like to be contacted by the four interested parties residing in Argentina, Cyprus, Egypt and Tonga for help with the monitoring of three specific stations. 'Thanks in advance'.

Reports via the usual email address or pager please.

E03

Changes to the complex schedule have been noted [JM]. Sat 2200Z freqs are 6486//9251//11545kHz. However a report [09/03] states 5746//6959//9251kHz have also been used. During the 1900Z 14/03 transmission 6485//8464kHz were used as well as 6959kHz.

At 1907Z this freq changed to the scheduled 5746kHz.

Interference to E03 - For several months now an out of band transmission from China Radio (CPBS 1) as appeared precariously close to LP's 9251 kHz outlet. The broadcast on 9255 kHz appears at 19.55 until 21.00 only each day. The 9255 kHz broadcast does not appear in CRI's schedule, indeed its purpose is possibly only to jam another station which cannot be heard here in the UK. CRI tunes up with two very out of character pop songs "Is anybody there" & "I will survive" clearly there is an hidden message ! No doubt Britain's MI6 will be unimpressed by this Communist intrusion.

E03a

Schedule: Sun to Fri, [0000Z transmission first, ends 2300Z]

Transmissions outside 1000 to 1300Z are not normally audible in Great Britain.

E05

It has been noted that E05's schedule has remained fairly constant and unchanged for the last six months or so. It is unusual that there have been no change in frequencies in the moved from autumn to winter. The only apparent change seemed to be the disappearance of the long standing Saturday 1200Z transmissions on 14577//16198kHz, Wed and Sat 1800Z transmissions on 5175//8085kHz.

The 14448kHz transmission at 1700Z has apparently not been heard since mid-Feb. The 0900Z 11580//13444kHz has also disappeared 25/02. On 24/03 the long standing 1400Z 18617//19622kHz was also suspected as having vanished, the last recorded appearance being 03/03. This sig is a known weak signal so propagation may have had some effect.

Others not heard, possibly gone are:

The data transmissions which are linked to E05 are still around, usually very strong carriers on quite some time before the data starts, with a background noise similar to E05. Two distinct types, a fast FSK type and one , pulse data [for want of a better name]. Like E05 often two frequencies in parallel. Logged by Peter of Saffron Walden as follows:

E06

E06 enjoys a regular Saturday afternoon schedule at 1230Z and a repeat at 1330Z. In 10/00 the frequencies were 18750 and 15659kHz respectively. 11/00 saw 18230 and 14560kHz on 04/11 whilst a week later the repeat freq, at 1330Z was 17570kHz. 25/11 used those logged for 04/11. December 1230Z 17520kHz 1330Z 14380kHz. Variation occurred at 1330Z on 30/12 with the repeat freq being 10kHz higher. January 01, 14/01 1230Z 13380kHz [also used 1400Z 13/01] 1330Z 10660kHz and noted 20/01. 03/02 1230Z 16310kHz [a large noted shift from 01/01 freq]. 1330Z 13980kHz.

This trend continued until 03/03 when the freqs were found to be: 18265kHz and 15640kHz. On 10/03 the 1230Z freq had increased by 5kHz to 18270kHz.

Expected freqs for 31/03 are 1230Z 18270kHz, 1330Z 15640kHz, 1400Z 13540kHz, 1500Z 11045kHz.

Saturday Sched [March]

Other transmissions:

E07

Mondays and Wednesdays at 2100Z/7918kHz, 2120Z/6732kHz, 2140Z/5089kHz. H+20 and H+40 repeats of 2100Z broadcast.

New freqs heard for March:

Whilst these were heard in April:

E10

EZI 11565 kHz - The 2000 - 2100Z transmissions from EZI are now suffering heavy interference from WYFR Family Radio on the same frequency with a programme in the French language. 11565kHz is listed as a Fixed Service allocation.

E11

E15

The 1230Z 28/02 transmission sending OSS is an indication that E15 is changing. This signal has always been a 1730 or 2100Z call. Times and frequencies [tnx GD] as follows:

E17

E18

This station appears not to have been heard since last December [12/00]

If you have been recently or are copying this station please let us know.

E23

E23 is still on, but signal is not very strong. Best frequency is usually 8188. 4 weekly cycle starting on the first Monday of the Month. Transmits Monday Wednesday and Thursday

All transmissions are in AM.

8188kHz 0957Z 26/02 V Weak sig, unintelligible.

E25

Our monitors have noticed that two messages are being sent to one and two ID's. E25 is an interesting emergent station that is watched regularly by E2k. If you have information or logs concerning this station please contact E2k via the usual methods.

The signal is, to date, becoming more difficult to copy in GB, probably due to propagation changes; although one humorous comment was «probably read Issue 3!» This is shown in the reports that we are receiving for this station:

• "E25 was on Saturday [03/03] at 1230 sending the same 2 messages as last Saturday, also at 1245 and 1330. Extremely poor signal."

• "I too heard all the E25 transmissions on Saturday[10/03]. What an absolutely horrible signal. I believe the problem is propagational as the signal strength did [briefly]increase on the 1330Z tx to clearly receive '905 29'. I also think I heard 005 22, 909 22 also but I am not totally sure.» The 1230Z tx was the same as that on 25/02 whilst the 1245Z appeared to be 440 70 rptd n times."
  [440 was previously heard 1240 to 1256Z 20/01 with 905 at 1332Z although the actual traffic was 440 and 905 19]

We would welcome logs from the Mediterranean and near East please.

9450kHz, 1230, 1245, 1330, 1345Z possibly daily and possibly two message formats.

Perusal of Propagation Forecasts[p60 SWM April 01] reveals that the lowest useable frequency for traffic to London from the Middle East between 1200 and 1400Z is around 11&12MHz whilst the optimum frequency would be circa 23/24MHz. Then again this message is definitely not destined for Great Britain.

Further monitoring produced this message on 20/03 and possibly confirms the propagation theory: «Can confirm E25 still on 9450. Heard it today at 1230 and 1245. Sent an 18 group message to either 742 or 744. Not a very good signal.»

E25 was heard again on 21/03 at 1230Z [2 msgs], again at 1245Z [3 msgs and continued until 1303Z - unusual] and at 1330Z sent 1 msg.

G04

Heard on 4750//4850kHz 2105/2135Z early March, then:

G06

0n 29/09 1930Z on 5442kHz it was noted that the familiar tones of the German YL had become the voice of the S06 male previously heard reading numbers in Russian.

There has been an apparent change in its sending habits. In the period September 00 to end of October 00 a regular Sunday transmission at 0740Z on 10170kHz was seen . This was last heard on 29/10 and has not been monitored since. On 05/12 the Tuesday 1900Z 5930kHz was clashing with Radio Prague. The Friday 1930Z frequency of 4792kHz remained in use until 23/02.

The March freqs heard are Monday 05/03 2000Z 7610kHz, whilst Fri [first] 09/03 1930Z 5444kHz. Assuming that this freq follows the usual schedule of alternate Fridays it should be seen on 23/03. [Problems were apparently experienced with the sending of this signal with it finishing at 1948Z]. Friday freq for 1900Z/1930Z Jan & Feb was 4792kHz first monitored 24/11. There may also be alternation with the Monday frequencies.

S04

3868kHz 2245Z 13/03 [342 nr210 gc066=51513]

S06

*[Note: 21/03 Tone at 1940Z on 10180, moved 5kHz lwr].

S06C

S06E

S07

S10E

10642kHz 1300Z 08/03 Good strong sigs into Central London

S17C

8190kHz 1250Z Daily generally produces a readable signal. Ends 1257Z

Nil Required Heard on 9385kHz; parallel frequency is now 6945kHz.

A weak CW station using barred letters has been heard around the time that S17C comes up on 8190. ENIGMA 2000 would be interested to hear further details and loggings of this stn.

The changing of the clocks to BST resulted in the loss of signals briefly on 28/03 on both frequencies. However on 29/03 the familiar 'yed, yed, yed' of S17C was heard again at 1250Z. The signal was barely audible on 6945 // 8190kHz. Thanks to those who contacted E2k with confirmations of reception.

V02

V02a

John Maky [US] wrote that new scheds for 0100Z Tuesdays were to be found on 3389 and 13436kHz

At 0149Z on 10/03 the first few phrases of the transmission came up, rather unexpectedly 'Attencion, Attencion 89172.' Interestingly the expected 0100Z 5135kHz tx did not appear but at 0120Z and 0140Z a CW sig sent V [x10] Q K imi [?]. At 0255Z 5417kHz again there was a short sample of the next transmission.

Both the scheduled 0200/5135kHz and 0300Z/5417kHz tx were good strength. A further change was noticed by JM on 14/03 re the 0300Z tx which appeared on 5117kHz instead of 4479kHz.

V06

See below? 9080kHz an error, should be V06?

V07

V08

6647kHz 1803Z 07/04 In progress, very good sigs

V13

New star radio transmitter locations (V13 )

I recently came across an interesting article in Clandestine Radio Watch. The feature is reproduced below. Transmitters in Republic of China.

"Here's what we can learn from the CBS website: CBS programmes are broadcast via a transmission system connecting the north and south of Taiwan. There are nine transmitter sites in Taiwan: Lukang, Fang Liao, Chang Che, Tamsui, Paochung, Huwei, Tainan, Hu Kou and Ming Shiung subsidiary stations.

CBS has 15 MW transmitters (10 MW frequencies), 24 SW transmitters (45 SW frequencies) totalling 39 medium and shortwave transmitters and 55 medium and shortwave frequencies with a total power of 10.050 Kilowatts. The output capacity is 2.69 times as much as that of all public and private radio stations combined and the coverage areas include the middle and southern parts of Taiwan, mainland China and the whole world.

As regards to MW, it would seem that the transmitters at Fang Liao, Chang Che and Lukang each consist of two // units, as suggested by Kai for the first two sites.

The SW situation remains confused, but Kai's reference to an article saying that Tanshui has 3 x 300 kW agrees with the current listings in the WRTH international section.

Hans van den Boogert (formerly resided in Taipei) drove to the coastal region near Tanshui and

1. saw many MW and SW antennas there,

2. found that three of the New Star Radio clandestine transmitters (8300, 9725, 11430) which were heard on ground wave there. He also noted inter-modulation with other programmes.

I guess that the New Star Radio transmissions are using some of the 10 kW transmitters that appear to have been delivered to Tanshui. This is also one of the old listings of the BCC, as the new transmitters primarily replaced old ones. On the other hand, it appears that Tanshui does not have MW transmitters, so in this respect van den Boogert's assumptions seem to be incorrect."

V21

X06

XPH

Issue 2 carried a report of XPn being heard in November, on Tuesdays at 2100 and 2300Z on 6865kHz. That was reported by 'Rob of Essex'. Now ENIGMA 2000 has received a report, from 'Peter of Saffron Walden', that he monitored an XPH transmission on Friday 01/12 2244Z on 6788kHz. He later discovered on Friday 08/12 that such signals appeared to be scheduled for: 2220Z 8188kHz, 2240Z 6788kHz 2300Z 5388kHz.

All signal strengths were reported as being strong.

Peter continued to monitor these signals through December on Tuesday 12/12 and 26/12. However the 2220Z transmission was weak, whilst the 2240 and 2300Z offerings were found to be of good strength. This transmission was the last time that Peter monitored this transmission on those frequencies.

Peter went on to write that there was a different kind of tone transmission on Saturdays at 1230Z throughout 12/00 and 01/01, on 18942kHz. This was in some ways similar to XPH, but the tones were higher in pitch. His log reflects:

• 09/12 1231Z first time heard, high pitched tones, stopped with a long single fixed tone just after 1232Z and went QRT.
• 16/12 1231Z same as 09/12.
• 23/12 1231Z high pitched tones as above but at 1232Z tones changed to a much faster rate, still high pitched, for about a minute, then slow tones again for a few seconds, then QRT.
• 30/12 1230Z started exactly on the half hour, format as of 23/12.
• 06/01 continues in the New Year, still on 18942kHz, slow tones for two minutes, a few seconds of one steady tone, then off.
• 13/01 format as 06/01
• 20/01 carrier was on just after 1220Z but tones did not start until 25 seconds after the half hour! Two minutes of slow tones, faster tones until after 1234Z then a few seconds of slower tones and QRT.
• 27/01 Strongest signal ever for this one, two minutes slow tones, a few seconds of steady tone, then QRT.
• This was the last time that this signal was heard on 18942kHz. The station was Nil Required Heard on 03/02. Since that date an early evening polytone transmission has been received three days in a row as:
• Mon 26/03 1720Z 10589kHz. The carrier was noted a few minutes earlier. Full message format with total transmission lasting six minutes, almost to the second.
• Tues 27/03 1705Z 12217kHz last mins, full msg ending 1706Z
• 1720Z 10589kHz As 26/03 transmission.
• 1741Z 9344kHz Third sending in progress
• Wed 28/03 1700Z 12217kHz
• 1720Z 10589kHz [This transmission missed!]
• 1740Z 9344kHz

On each day the transmission lasted six minutes in total with carrier QRT as soon as tones had stopped.

Does this monitored train of transmissions suggest a regular daily schedule?

ENIGMA 2000 wants to know more about this signal, its new frequencies [if any] and any thoughts on the reason for its transmission on the dates and times mentioned above.

XPL

Thanks to AK, C, Cap'n Davros, 'D', D of Kent, GD, Eddy of Auststralia, Gert of Holland, HFD, J of Aylesbury, JM, JMM, K of Kent, MG, ML, Peter of Saffron Walden, R anon, Rob of Essex, Spy Numbers Robot, Takashi of Nagasaki and all others for their contributions to the Morse, Voice and Oddities columns.

Please send your voice logs to e2k_news@hotmail.com

We finish the 'Selected Voice Stations' section with an interesting and different look at the now inactive V01, the Romanian Skylark:

V01, the Romanian Skylark:

I have read some recent suggestions over the Internet that this station was broadcasting to Romania and not from that country. These suggestions are based on speculation that the Romanian speaking announcers had Western or America accents. It should be remembered that during the Cold War many Radio Moscow and Radio Station Peace & Progress (a station whose slogan was "The Voice of Soviet Public Opinion" - a title which must make the list of 100 most ridiculous statements in history) were trained and had lived in the United States and Western Europe. This was also no doubt the case with other East European announcers, hence they had rather peculiar accents and an even more elongated pronunciation style.

The information I have about "The Skylark" was first brought to my attention in a letter I received in 1993. This stated that the "Gypsy music station" came from Branesti in Romania, the source suggested that DF fixes had been taken on the station, interestingly this information was also repeated in 1994 when the book Intercepting Numbers Stations by Langley Pierce was published. In his book he indicates "Departamentul de Informatii Externe (DIE numbers transmissions are made in Romanian by live male operators at an average of 15 groups per minute and are thought to emanate from the large DIE transmitter complex at Branesti, which lies to the east of the capital Bucharest. This particular site formerly covertly housed the Romanian National Jamming Centre". Any information on the current status of Branesti would be welcome along with comments about V1.

[Thanks C, for an interesting view].

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