ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter - Issue 7

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

Morse stations | Voice stations | Oddities
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Selected voice stations

In response to a minor criticism by an avid reader E2k have dropped the use of upper case 'Z' indicating the time stated is Greenwich Mean Time, GMT, [or UTC] as it is thought that some readers may mistake it for the figure 2. As such Zulu time will now be designated by a lower case 'z'.

Number monitors who would like to see tabulated frequencies of target stations could consult this web page: http://www.cvni.net/radio/skeds/output. ENIGMA 2000 cannot vouch for accuracy.

Seda ye mojahed (Voice Of Mojahed)

In the last Issue I wrote that it was still unclear if this was a relation to the more famous broadcast station. I am afraid the answer is still unclear, however, further transmissions have been detected. ON WED 29/08 I was trapped in waiting for the Cable TV man and did some monitoring in the early afternoon, I found the familiar 'loop format' with Female announcer on 13430kHz. This was already in full swing at 1520z with jamming. Unlike the previous form of staying on one frequency the station was moving between 13405 and 13450kHz. I later found a similar situation in the area of 10230 kHz.

The format seems to be a mix of a brief announcement followed by about 1 minute of speech, this is sometimes interspersed with music and the whole thing starts again. Clandestine monitors have suggested that this is not a broadcast station but a 'numbers type station'. One to watch, given the present difficulties in the Middle East and surrounding countries. [Thanks 'C]'

Perhaps as a statement to low power operation, whilst tuning along the medium wave looking for something to listen to whilst I was shaving, I happened upon a transmission carrying 'Hancock's Half Hour'. Immediately I became interested, Hancock being a blast from the past. The station that I had picked up was 'Swinging Radio England' on 819kHz. I listened and even entered a competition. I won a SRE frisbee!

In the package were the technical details of the station. Whilst I had no idea where the station broadcasts from, the MW quality was excellent in S.London [S9+20dB]. There is also a SW tx on 6276kHz [S9, variable]. It appears that the station runs no more than 30W from a single 807 [remember the blue flashes as they were keyed?] into a dipole on SW, whilst the RF is fed into an inverted L with 35 radials for 819kHz.

Whilst the fact that it is a 'pirate' station and really has no place within these pages cannot be disputed, the technicality of its low power transmissions and the ranges reached does. The results claimed by SRE for SW are excellent - remember AM transmission and only 30W - USA, NI, a lot of Europe. MW claims Kent, London, Sussex. Wonder if heard in the Midlands or further North? Really illustrates the fact that megawatts of RF are not really needed to reach a distant target, given the right conditions.

[A recent email to the SWM reflector bears out that SRE can be heard in US. The content as heard by myself was actually recounted by the American who posted the email].

Out of interest E2k would be pleased to learn how far and wide SRE can actually be received on both freqs.

On 30^th September it was announced over the air that SRE had been received [on its SW freq] in New Zealand. Didn't copy what island [at that distance probably of academic interest anyway] due to a rather loud clap of thunder.

Please send your voice logs to e2k_news@hotmail.com

Ary asks: "What is the station that sends TROJKA VODZIM, SIDJORKA, ADJINKA etc., ends with koniec." She was on 5520 at 1930z 08/10. Answers either to Ary direct: ary@luna.nl or via e2k using the usual methods.

Onto the logs :

E03/E03a

ENIGMA 2000 regrets details of the 'Lincolnshire Poacher' and 'Cherry Ripe' logs will not be published by e2k in the forseeable future.

The 'D' Notice Committee have issued a notice [DA-5] which states, in part:

" (a) specific covert operations, sources and methods of the Security Service, SIS and GCHQ, and those involved with them, including the Special Forces, the application of those methods, including the interception of communications, and their targets; the same applies to those engaged on counter-terrorist operations;"

The entire 'D' Notices can be found at: <http://www.dnotice.org.uk/index.htm> and are Crown Copyright. We apologise for the lack of reportage on these two stations. However e2k is sure that those, whose logs, reports and analysis will not be published will understand the situation and our reasons for with-holding this information.

E05

Peter of Saffron Walden wrote in his September log:

"Several more long standing American Accent transmissions have gone, the Saturday and Monday 1800z on 9070//13444kHz, the Monday and Thursday 1900z on 10643//12197kHz - both of which vanished around the end of July and beginning of August.

Also gone is the Sunday 1200z on 15833//18036kHz, last heard on 12^th August.

On the plus side a new E05 on Thursdays and Fridays at 2100z on 8080//10321kHz has appeared [as noted in ENIGMA 2000 newsletter, issue 6] as has a 2200z on 5175//6891kHz."

Peter was unable to predict how long that particular transmission has been around but states that he first noticed it on Sunday 26^th August. Although Peter heard it most nights he did not hear it on Mondays, 03/09, 10/09, Tuesday 11/09 or Friday 07/09. The transmissions have been noted on Saturdays and Sundays at 1000z and may be on daily at this time.

Peter states

"With the morning transmissions 5175kHz is much weaker than at 2200z, but a reasonable signal nevertheless. To be able to receive such a relatively low frequency in daylight must mean that the transmitter site is not too far away and the intended recipients must be not much further away than Central Europe."

There have been changes during September, documented at the end of the frequency logs:

[HFD's logs via spooks credited directly]

Those entries mkd* are from Takashi, Nagasaki. Signal strengths were low, of an average signal strength of only S2, although the range covered 1 to 9. The S9 transmission was as follows:

Like Peter of Saffron Walden 'C' also notes the E05 changes and makes this remark accordingly:

"E05 Cynthia - Still a few around, but down on previous years. Regulars include -
FRI 2100z - 8080 // 10324kHz, SUN 1800z -11072 // 13465kHz, MON 1900z - 11564 // 13450kHz THU 1800z - 11072 // ?

The FRI 05/10 TX at 2100z on 8080//10321 was call '891' count 132 - the first two groups were rather odd - 223/23 and 870/70."

Whilst Keith of Kent offered these:

[commenting 'all freqs approx - analogue receiver]

Tnx Keith

Just prior to publication we received this interesting synopsis of E05, from Peter of Saffron Walden, "Cynthia has bounced back, the recent trend towards a decline in activity has somewhat reversed in recent weeks; there is the 2200z transmission on 5175//6891kHz, first noticed in the last week of August, which seems to be on every day except Monday and Friday. I couldn't find this one on Tuesday 11/09 [the day of the Terrortist attacks in US] when I checked 5175//6891kHz at approx 2225z expecting to find the transmission in progress. It has turned up on Tuesdays since.

5175//6891kHz are also used by Cynthia at 1000z, ie late morning in the UK. I have heard this one on Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat and Sun. It was heard on Bank Holiday Monday 27/08 but I have not been near a radio on a friday to confirm whether it is on every day.

There is a new E05 on Mondays and Thursdays at 1900z on 11564//13450kHz first noticed in late September - although both frequencies are usually very weak signals it would have been easy to miss them. Perhaps they have been there for some time.

The Saturday afternoon 1400z 18617//19622kHz has appeared again; this has vanished and shown up again several times this year. It has re-emerged in September and October.

The E05-related data transmissions are still around, two distinct varieties. 'Fast FSK' and 'Pulse Data' Most noticeable of these is a 'Pulse Data' transmission, always a very strong signal on 5790//6970kHz. Both have been used by Cynthia in the not too distant past. This 'Pulse Data' appears to be on daily at 0600z and again every day except Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 1800z. Note the twelve hours between transmissions, rather like the 5175//6891kHz E05.

The strongest 'Fast FSK' type data transmission was the 1600z 9205//11526kHz, both S9+ signals, noted on Saturdays in September. No doubt they were there on at least one other day of the week too.

[Thanks PoSW]

E06

This station is still busy as Peter notes: "the Saturday afternoon 1230z turned up as expected in September although I have not managed to find the repeat an hour later as yet. The other weekend E06 on the second and fourth Saturdays - repeated next day if a full message - was noted, just the ending - on 08/09. Both sendings at 1400z and 1500z were logged the next day. I thought this one had gone as I had not been able to find it for several months, but it certainly back in September." Thanks PoSW

Gert's log for August lists the activity for this station and the latter part of the month is shewn here:

Gert suggests trying each Monday in September at 2010z on 10205kHz and mentions trying again on tuesday for any repeat message. [See 12210kHz for 27 and 28/08 above].

Anon of UK suggests :

AnonUK notes that E06 transmissions could be heard on Sat & Sun 08/09, 09/09 which confirms Peter's findings, offering this:

whilst 'C' offered this :

"Strange Transmission - On WED 19/09. I noted a 'rare' F Beacon stopping and starting on 6870 kHz at around 1908z. The SLB was very strong and clear. At 1915z E06 call 178 -00000 commenced on the same frequency, the two continued for several minutes until the 'F' beacon just disappeared, it was not possible to tell if these were coming from the same audio feed or two different transmitters, but the strength of each was the same."

'E' sent the following log in :

This was heard by Joerg Eberhardt, Germany :

Gert's logs reflect the September activity for this station as :

whilst the October expectations predicted by Gert are:

Gert further logged:

and asks "Each sat??"

[Thanks Gert, excellent work!]

and

E07

Gert of Holland writes in with further frequency news for this station [later confirmed by AnonUK] and suggests:

Again Gert forwarded a splendid August log illustrating E07's habits for August and we again reproduce the latter parts below:

whilst Gert's September log is as splendid too:

[Thanks Gert].

Takashi in Nagasaki, Japan observed the following:

remarking on this freq also used by E10. [Thanks Takashi].

and

E10

Interference To Transmissions - Some E10 transmissions are suffering from severe co-channel interference.

• EZI 11565kHz
  problems with a very wide and distorted broadcast signal - possibly Pakistan or India, neither put out great signals. Also some collisions with E05 on a rather odd 11564kHz on MON at 1900z. Why when they have the whole band to choose from do they have to collide ? Still under WYFR in German at 2100z.

• JSR - 7540kHz
  in the European evening time this is now home to what appears to be a China Radio outlet, again this is a distorted transmission and resolves best in LSB. Possibly acting as a jammer against a Radio Free Asia broadcast. Again problems for JSR.

• ULX - 6270 kHz
  I have noted Global HF Systems Messages on this frequency, however, at present I am not certain which transmitter site is in use. Sigonella Italy is the latest station to be added to the network. EAM - Emergency Action Messages are quite frequently sent, it is odd to listen to the numbers and letters sent by GHFS mixing with the Phonetics of ULX. A poor choice of frequency by the operators - routine monitoring would have easily identified ULX as a regular if not authorised user.

©'C'

E11

Reported in Issue 6 for June and July E2k was grateful to receive the following from Gert:

[Remember the 0800z transmission apparently remains on the same frequency 10050kHz].

Gert later reported:

With advice to watch that frequency. The messages read:

Gert's E11 log reflects the above 5180kHz activity as well as the active 10050kHz activity:

Whilst this interesting insight to E11's little foray into 'proper messaging habits' was monitored and commented on by 'C':

"E11 - Station Sends Rare Message - certainly not renown for sending messages this station usually restricts itself to the 'Oblique' 00 format of five minutes of call and no message - e.g. 261/00.

I was surprised to find a message in full flow on SUN 19/09. at 1836z on 5624 kHz. Sending in USB (making detection all the more difficult), it sent a 32 group message. Although I missed the call I believe this may have been the 'Special Operations' call 121, which as been known to send messages."

E17

Nathan[US & via spooks] queried if this station was from Cuba as was a very strong signal.

Comments please.

E18

As noted in Issue 6 AnonUK remarked on this stations apparent absence: " Should have been on Wednesday and Thursday. [10/07 & 11/07] I tuned from 5000kHz to13500kHz but could not hear it anywhere." E2k recently received info from AnonUK that he had observed E18 as follows:

AnonUK remarked "The call was 269 as it was a short message. The message number was 170, the last one logged was 165 in May. So where has it been since then? I have checked each time it was due on, listened to all its known frequencies and also tuned up and down the band."

AnonUK was not sure if E18 was on at 2200z after the 2100z transmission on 12/09. It was expected on the next day, Thursday 13/09. Remember that this station is generally heard on the 2^nd Wednesday and Thursday of each month. E18 frequencies are listed as: 5155, 6545 and 8025kHz. The last reported observation of this station was on 8025kHz on 09/05 as covered in Issue 5.

E23

Best frequency is usually 8188kHz. 4 weekly cycle starting on the first Monday of the Month.

Transmits Monday Wednesday and Thursday:

Week 4 in AM only.

Reported by DofKent:

G04

After an apparent absence since the last heard transmission in May 01 [2005z 4830kHz, 2035z 4930kHz] Simon Mason released details of a contact's observation of G04, substantiated with an MP3 file.

Note the change of time, perhaps another offering occurs at 0930z on freq +/- 100kHz? Worth keeping an eye on.

However this transmission was not heard by DofKent on the following Monday 08/10 or since.

G06

AnonUK writes:

and remarks normally heard on first Monday in month only.

Peter of Saffron Walden notes, "The German YL has been turning up on the first Monday of the month as expected, still with a four minute 'No Message', and was also noted on a Thursday with a full message much to my surprise."

and Gert sends in his latest log for G06:

Peter of Saffron Walden further remarks: "First Monday in the month G06 turned up as expected in October ands it was a full message format for the first time this year! This meant a repeat the next day. The alternate Friday evening, 1930z, G06 is back."

5442kHz ran throughout last autumn and winter months and into the spring of last year; last heard on 27/04 and not found throughout the summer months. [Any offers?].

If schedule matches last time she will turn up on alternate fridays, although on one or two occasions she fooled us by missing two Fridays in a row. Should move to 4790kHz + or - a few kHz in the depths of winter.

As when observed before, the carrier was well on before the transmissions began. In this instance at 1843z with tone, then brief recitation of numbers 1 to 9 and a 947 in German. Plain carrier until 1930z when proceedings began with call 'Neun vier seben' then dk/gc 'Dei zwo sechs' x2, 'Vier acht' x2. Strength S7 to S8, lower sideband well suppressed."

[Thanks PoSW]

G22

This XV family station ,Edna Sednitzer, which has the morse counterpart M13 as well as E18 and S04. G22 has once again been heard, this time by Gert of Holland, who sent in this entry:

Gert kindly sent a recording, to e2k, which illustrated the horrible audio from which Gert managed [how?] to extricate this message:

186 [rptd 5 mins]
Nr 238
Gr 24
22019 03081 02616 30233 13462
17908 14963 02603 63709 07484
26034 87087 21234 21034 60919
31604 26336 17261 06176 36319
43242 49717 23009 40160 000

Excellent job Gert, thanks.

S06

*AnonUK remarks, "Has been on the same frequency in October 1999 2000 and 2001. Not sure where it goes after that, but I have only heard it in October." Answers and comments via the usual routes please.

S10E

Came up as expected on 24/09 at 1300z on 10642kHz

Next expected 22/10

S11a [Cherta], previously S12

S17C

In issue 5 we reported that S17E has not been transmitting on 8190kHz, or at least had not been reported as being heard. On 05/09 I was alerted to the fact that 8190kHz was once again audible by D of Kent, who telephoned me with the news. Unfortunately I was unable to listen at that particular time but did so on 06/09 with the following results.

We suggest monitoring both freqs for activity. If the 8Mhz freq has been in use all the time it suggests that propagation has made reception difficult in GB and that GB is not the target area. The parallel 6MHz freq has likewise been poorly received over the past months too and reinforces the idea of being aimed elsewhere.

On 18/10 8190kHz was audible at S8 in South London while 6495kHz was obliterated by a very strong XJT transmission that could be heard from 6489 to 6510kHz, a massive bandwidth of 21kHz!

However on 19/10 whilst the 6945kHz signal was audible 8190kHz was also monitored by D of Kent. He reports: Shortly after the completion of the transmission on 8190kHz he heard a short tone, possibly a short zero or the letter 'T', follwed by the figure '4' in turn followed by a barred U [..--].

HFD sent these S17C logs via spooks:

S21

This log for the family XIV, Russian Lady was sent via spooks by HFD:

V02

via spooks:

From the logs of Peter of Saffron Walden we find:

*via Spooks

Note the characteristic 'hum' on the carrier, which Bunky and PoSW remark on. This hum is a particular trait of V02.

V02a

Chinese female numbers stations

Prior to the excellent logs for V09, V22 and V24 we have an interesting view of Chinese female numbers stations from Takashi of Nagasaki, Japan

• Mode: AM

• Announcer: Mandarin Chinese (live and recorded)

• Starts at H+00 and H+30

• Powerful signal in Japan.

For example, in the case of Guangzhou, V09

Null message format (recorded voice)

All listening stations in the country. (x3)
This is Guangzhou calling. (x2)
Repeats above for approx. 5 mins.
Ends with "thanks."

Message format (live voice)

All listening stations in the country. (x3)
This is Guangzhou calling. (x2)
Repeats above for approx. 5 mins.
There is a message, followed by a message number (x2), group count (x2), then 4FG (x2).

I'll repeat a message.
I'll repeat a message.

End of Transmission.Thanks.

As far as I've heard, the message transmission is very rare.

Almost all are null message transmissions.

Chinese famle numbers stations groups

The Chinese female numbers can be divided into following three groups.

• Group A, Guangzhou as ID, V09 and V16
  6265, 6468, 6885, 7750 10750, 12012 and 13680kHz
  Daily between 1500-1730z (East Asian midnight) frequently heard.
  Occasionally two parallel transmissions can be heard, most frequently 6885//10750kHz.
  V09 and V16 are same.

• Group B, Beijing as ID, V22
  4760, 6355, 6375, 6465, 8375, 9125, 10200, 10500, 15640, 16520, 16830, 16835, 17310, 18020 and 21450 kHz
  Daily except East Asian Saturday on 8375kHz the carrier is continuously on between 1100-1700z. Repeats a null message for 30 mins intervals.
  Usually non-parallel transmissions except 6465//8375kHz occasionaly at 1700z.
  Sunday at 0000 or 0030z 16520kHz can be heard frequently.

• Group C, three figure IDs, somewhere in China, without ENIMA code
  6721, 6468, 6906, 8337, 8870, 11016, 11262, 11298, 12310, 12630, 12877, 13210, 13260, 14336, 14860, 15753, 15958, 16572, 18649 and 22305 kHz.
  Three figure IDs reportedly
  017, 022, 029, 064, 095, 106, 109, 133, 138, 156, 179, 265, 298, 299, 315, 316, 323, 326, 364, 370, 380, 384, 406, 428, 431, 513, 516, 517, 548, 634, 639, 654, 677, 728, 735, 805
  Very rare transmission in East Asian midnight..

Thanks to Takashi of Nagasaki for this excellent view of Chinese Number Stations

V06

" Spanish Lady - The first FRI of the Month transmission at 2100z was noted on 11440kHz with call 836 - 00000."

[Thanks 'C']

V09

There is no knowledge of this station belonging to any family as such and appears to be an individual.

Listed as being previously heard on 5738, 6280 and 8036kHz it previously came to notice on 19/03 when it was heard on 7584kHz at 1600z.

From Takashi in Nagasaki, Japan

Message read: "All listening stations in the country [x3] This is Guangzhou calling [x2]". This was repeated for approximately 5 minutes and ended with "Thanks." Takashi remarked, 'First time I have heard this station in such an echo-AM Mode.'

Heard again as:

[Excellent log, tnx Takashi].

This catch from Joerg Eberhardt, Germany.

V13

From Ben Mesander via Spooks:

V22

The following is the log entry received from Takashi, Nagasaki:

V24

From Takashi who presumes these are 'South Korean female numbers':

V25

From Igor of Cherta we receive this log of the new entry:

[Thanks Igor]

XPH

Thanks to John of Aylesbury August frequencies were confirmed as:

John continued the excellent work for September, confirming the freqs as:

Regarding the 12107kHz frequency used at 2020z John remarks, " 2012z onwards: Strong heterodyne with QRM-BC - including Bulgarian Gypsy type music, and some which appeared to be Greek. In my old WRTH (1999) there is infact a freq. allocated to V. of Greece as: 12105kHz., although I don't suppose they would use that freq. for broadcasting to the Balkans". It could just be a parallel freq. for world-wide listening. On his last report on 28/09 John remarked that the BC QRM was caused by Voice of Greece broadcast 2kHz LF The carrier remained up for 30s after the 0620z and 0640z transmissions. John rightly remarks that this is unusual. [Thanks John]

This remark from Tom Pitts [US] via Spooks:

Peter of Saffron Walden noted the evening slots of 2000/2020 and 2040z with a total transmission time of 4 minutes and 15 seconds. However he also reported another schedule as:

all having a transmission time of 5mins 40 seconds. [Thanks PoSW].

October freqs confirmed by John as:

The signal 2000z on 11541kHz is only 4kHz LF of E03's 1900z transmission and whilst there was no apparent clash with XPH on 02/10 the 'Jet' was heard on freq. As a result of this 'clash' the signals received on that freq were very poor, as well as being somewhat weak. Signal strengths of the 16/10 evening transmissions were particularly good at S9+30dB, in Aylesbury and South London. The 0640z 19/10 was noted as starting some 30s early whilst all signal strengths for the morning slots were S9+30dB

[Thanks for your work on XPH John]

On 23/10 Captain Davros heard these additional transmissions:
2010z 11595kHz, 2030z 10208kHz and 2040z 9040kHz

CD remarked that the transmissions were much longer than usual and signal strength was weak. The transmissions heard in the h+00 and h+20 slots were around +40dB in metered strength. Using that as a measure this does point to that heard by CD as being destined elsewhere. These 'in between' times have been heard before and are known to occur during the morning too.

[If anyone has the freqs could they please share them with us]?

Nice work CD.

S17C, M10E and S10E

Now an additional interesting insight from DofKent:

[The following is an extract from an article being prepared by D of Kent for publication in the ENIGMA 2000 newsletter at a later date]:

S17C [6945 and 8190kHz 1250z daily]

S17C continues to be a very weak signal from my location in Kent, only showing signs of improvement in the last few days [latter part of Sept]. The concurrent frequency of 8190kHz has now been heard daily since 03/09/01, previously not being heard on this frequency since 30/04/01. Shortly before this date the five figure message group became less predictable and much more variable. I find it surprising that SSB is not used more often; just the occasional use on one frequency with AM on the other.

I have been fortunate that over 25 years ago I constructed an audio processor, which has allowed me to copy these very weak signals which would otherwise be lost.

M10E 5020kHz, S10E 10642kHz, both 28 day cycle.

These stations seem to be settled in their new cycle, starting in a Monday rather than Thursday, although M10E had a day off on Tuesday 28/08/01. S10E did likewise on Thursday 30/08/01. During this period S10E appeared to be having transmitter problems as previously reported. [NL5]

We now come to the latest cycle [Mon 24/09] and it is often said that more can be learnt from errors and operator incompetence than from some decrypts.

On Tuesday 25/09/01 the M10E transmission was on time and commenced at the usual time of 0900z:

111 90992 21 68901 18 57929 15 99013 21 [repeats not shown].

This is a perfectly normal transmission following normal procedure.

S10E was due to commence transmission at 1300z but was late; I left my operating position briefly but before I could return I heard a short CW transmission. Unfortunately I did not have the recorder running but getting back I ws in time to log the short CW part that followed at 1303z:

111 90992 [repeats not shown].

After 15 to 20 seconds the normal USB transmission commenced:

111 45648 25 72414 22 62218 15 99013 21

There are any number of interpretations that can be made on this. Suffice it to say the CW was hand sent and the USB previously recorded prior to being transmitted. [I prefer to leave these comments or speculations until my full article is completed].

I have tried to separate the transmission sites but unfortunately the Czech and Slovak Republics are in line on my azimuthal projection map of Europe and are on the same bearing as Prague Radio. The problem could be solved by having at least two other RDF sites, Northern Germany and Italy, for example.

Finally, I should declare a special interest in this part of Europe. I would appreciate any information including times and frequencies of any groups currently active from these areas. I look forward to receiving any comment [or bearings] regarding the above.

"NAZDAR." DofKent.

Addendum:

On Thursday 4^th October S17C was again using sideband on 6946kHz. However for the first time since D of Kent has been monitoring this station [for at least a year] Thursday 11/10, at 1250z, saw 6946kHz using LSB whilst 8190kHz used USB.

©DofKent

Please contact DofKent via e2k_news@hotmail.com

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