List of Morse Station Formats

(Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1999 18:06:12 +0100)

• Notes
• M1
• M2
• M3
• M4
• M7
• M8
• M10
• M12
• M14
• M16
• M17
• M20
• M23
• M24
• M26
• M29
• M34
• M39
• M40
• M44
• M45
• M51
• M52
• M53
• M54 to M75
• M76

Notes

• R4= Repeat for 4 minutes
• 5F= 5 Figure paired groups
• 5f 5 Figure single groups
• 197x3= Repeated 3 times
• // Parallel Frequency

M1

M1 is hand sent, using short zero, in the A network and the messages have a usual group count of 40 groups.Although just recently group counts have been varying between 30 and 48. The last group is now always the date the message was compiled and the group count minus one. For example a message of 40 groups compiled on the 10th of the month, the last group would be 10039. This also applies to the M1 B network. Type of transmission is MCW using low modulation of 2 audio tones. Sent at about 17 WPM although this can vary depending on the operator

The IDs for this group remain the same for the following months.

Transmission times are, and remain at the same time throughout the year.

Variants of M1

M1A

End of Month transmissions, the last Thursday and Saturday of each Month These transmissions are an entirely different format to the normal M1 but they can vary each time. Suggest listening to them to hear the format.

M1 B Network

Hand sent. These are sent to individual IDs and the frequencies are changed at intervals so cannot all be listed. I can supply some current frequencies if required. These messages are repeated and can be the same for four weeks or more. Parallel frequencies are used, group counts vary between the low twenties and as high as seventy five.

I have listed some of the present skeds. They do change frequency depending on the time of the year, as it gets toward Summer they move higher. Also transmit 1 hour earlier when the clocks change to summertime.

Some of these repeat the same message to a different ID The one on Thursday at 2032 and Friday at 2102 are the same message. It is also strange how some of them start at odd times. If not heard on listed frequency, try one of list below. note that when they change frequency they sometimes change ID.

4505 4603 4613 4704 4771 4905 4950 4960 4990 5027 5048 5062 5066 5220 5234 5240 5325 5330 5350 5366 5477 5735 5750 5803 5812 6283 6298 6824

M1C

A common format of these is listed. Several other formats exist. If a message is sent it is nearly always 10 groups.

These can be on at any time and do not use the normal M1 frequencies so are very difficult to find.

Logged on 14 July 1999 on 9143. A long transmission from 1045 to 1133, with 2 messages of 30 and 33 groups.

M1D

A new variation heard on 29 September 1999 on 5730 at 0700 Also on 30 September 1999 on 5730 at 0600 0700 and 0800. Similar to M1C but all Auto sent. Call up was 331.

Last group of message was random.

M2

Not heard since 31 October 1997 so presumed ended If it comes on again will list times and frequencies.

M3

Modes usually ICW a few use MCW

(R5) * rarely are (R10) Morse is sent at about 17 WPM except for 503 which is very slow at 5 WPM. That transmission is normally on 10620 Monday at 0800 and 10720 0900 on Tuesday Some transmissions sent in MCW.

M3A is not sent very often and the meaning of it is not known could possibly be confirmation of receipt of message. Only triplets of 111 and 333 have been noted.

When M3 send a message after the 54x5F groups the ID is sent again 6 times then the message is repeated as 54x5f groups. 54 single groups. Is Usually on between 0700 and 1200 on the hour and the half hour. Messages are usually between 50 and 59 groups, possibly so they fit in the 30 minutes transmission time. Repeat transmissions are usual.

Frequencies that have been used are (those in brackets in use at present):
3060 3250 3392 3450 3823 3923 4015 4090 4465 4610 4722 4750 4780 (4870) 4900 5050 5090 (5120) 5150 (5180) 5220 (5360) 5365 5409 5550 (5520) 5610 5625 5670 (5830) 5860 5870 (6330) 6334 (6430) 6540 6640 6750 6810 6840 6850 6905 6950 7208 7255 7276 7444 7540 7580 7620 7649 7670 7710 7830 7840 8033 8037 8100 9030 9272 9180 9950 10250 10270 10540 (10620) (10720)

IDs heard to date :
010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 035 038 040 041 042 043 044 045 047 048 121 182 183 214 216 282 284 287 312 317 493 496 503 507 508 552 553 558 581 584 621 629 624 857 741 742 743 976

M4

U R3 LO LOx3/75977 75977 100x5f Always 100
LO LO/75977 75977 Repeats Message AR SK AR SK

This station uses long zeros. Always MCW with quite low level mod. Speed 19 WPM

Sent on the second week only of the E23 schedule. Monday Wednesday and Thursday at the same times.

M7

Mode: Always MCW, constant carrier. Speed 17 WPM. Strange call, sounds like letters with long dash. "Letters" used A N U and K.

Call is for one minute.
Then 749 749 749 85 85 35 35 = = 35x5F = = 85 85 35 35 000

Then one minute of letters with long dash, sometimes same letter, sometimes different letter.

Frequencies used, same as M10, Favourite time is Hour+20 although can be heard at any 10 minute interval within the hour. Parallel frequencies never used

M8

Mode ICW. Uses Cut Numbers

T 0, A 1, N 2, D 3, U 4, W 5, R 6, I 7, G 8, M 9,

UAAMD MDUUA UAIAU R3 UAAMDx5 = = = 150f Cut

After first message sends AR AR AR MDUUAx5 = = = 150f Cut same after second message

Ends AR AR AR SK SK SK

This is now the usual format, at least 2 others exist.

M10

Always uses ICW.This station uses a slightly different format of 2 figure decode key. The call up usually starts with 555 but they have been known to use other triplets, 111 222 333 444 777 and 888. These are used on special broadcasts. They have also be known to use up to a 4/5 figure random ID, but only very rarely. Transmission times and frequencies are changed quite often, although they use a set of frequencies to choose from. Sometimes they use 2 frequencies but not always. Regular schedules all use 2 parallel frequencies.

The speed the message is sent is variable, usually the later message is sent at a faster speed. Call and first message 17 WPM later messages up to 25 WPM.

They can have up to 4 IDs in the call, in this case the call would be

Then the preamble would be the same, message the same but the ending misses off the 000 and carries on to the next call which would be 275. The message can also sometimes be split into 2 parts with a different decode key for each part, but in this case the call gives the total amount of groups in the message.

Frequencies that have been used are:
2808 3385 3834 4029 4305 4485 4541 4573 4775 4834 4882 5007 5025 5040 5060 5085 5155 5276 5290 5301 5295 4525 5471 5503 5521 5554 5702 5737 5760 5860 6204 6758 6780 6801 6835 6943 7380 7404 7475 7845 8111 8175 8190 9164 9369 9386 9455 9971 10582 10922 11415 121?? 125?? 13405 14977 14650 14562

Some skeds active at present as of 14 May 1999

Schedules are Monthly, twice Monthly, or weekly. always repeated within the same week. Special schedules (irregular) may be daily

M10E

Only on every 4 weeks Thursday to the following Tuesday 1000 on 5020 next transmission should start on 26 August 1999. Call is 111x3 nnnnnx3 nnx3 Uses 5 Figure IDs and sends Gc 3 times. Is the morse station of S10E The Slovak man.

Other regular skeds as of May 1999. These all change frequency every new month

M12

Mode Usually ICW but has been known to use MCW. The call is sent fairly slowly at about 15 WPM but the preamble and messages are usually sent at 30 WPM, single 5 figure groups,although slower and faster speeds have been used. They are constantly changing frequencies and transmission times so it is not worth listing them. Tends to come on in the fixed station part of the band. Has been heard as high as 17242. This is another station that has been noted using the same frequencies and IDs as in 1997 The message is sometimes repeated on a further two frequencies. If the message is sent on the hour then there will be the same message sent at Hour+20 Hour+40, Hour+25 Hour+45, or Hour+30 Hour+50, this depends on length of message and speed sent. Can be found on at any time.

The figure 1 after 749 indicates number of messages,2 messages are very rare.

M13

Sent in ICW very rarely in MCW Another group constantly changing frequencies and times. Can be found on anywhere between 3.8 and 12 MHz. Can be recognised as it is sent very slowly, about 9 WPM, and the signal is very strong in the UK. Messages are usually about 23 groups but they have been known to send up to 80 groups. The message is sent four times in a period of 4 weeks. Has been logged between 1600 and 1000 the next day, on the hour but transmissions at Hour+30 and Hour+ 50 have been noted. A popular time seems to be at 2100 and 2200.

Repeat sequences that have been logged

• On the same day 1 Hour later on the same frequency.
• On the same day 1 Hour later on a different frequency
• On the next day at the same time on the same frequency
• On the next day at the same time on a different frequency
• On the same day 2 Hours later on the same frequency
• and also the next day the same

The sequence is then repeated 2 weeks later with the same message. The next transmission will be 2 weeks later, with a new message on a different frequency. It has also been noted that some only transmit once a month. Now that I have been logging these stations for 1 year, some of them are coming on the same frequency that they were on 1 year ago, so it would seem that they are using a twelve month cycle of frequencies. I have also found out that they are coming on at the same time each month.

253 comes on the first Thursday and Friday each month. They all then repeat 2 weeks later. There are 2 Schedules that come on at the same time each Month, but use a different ID each month. One comes on the second Thursday and Friday each Month at 1600 and 1800 in the winter and 1 hour earlier in the Summer.

Known frequencies and IDs are

This format can easily be confused with M12. this is another that is coming on with a different ID each month. Second Monday and Tuesday each Month 2100 Winter 2000 summer. Known frequencies and IDs are

If anyone has information on the missing Months of the above 2, I would appreciate an Email.

M14

Modes ICW, MCW, and MCW CC Similar format to M1, machine sent, but ends with 5 zeros. Longer messages than M1. The last group in the message is random and not as M1 Date/Group count. Another group everlasting changing times and frequencies.

Variations exist

M14A

Sends 2 Messages, same format, but after first message ID is repeated for 2 minutes. Second message has a different DK but quite often the GC differes by only 1.

M16 8BY

Mode ICW. Uses long zeros.

The IDs can be any number up to 12, they can remain the same for several transmissions, or change by having one ID go and leave the rest, such as 432/679/236. IDs are always in the same sequence. Transmission is at each hour+40 for 20 minutes. Up to 3 frequencies in parallel My own theory for this group is that it is just a list of IDs that there is a message waiting for and the ID collects the message possibly on another frequency or by other means.

Can also use Q and Z codes

If no IDs sends QRU

Frequencies in use are:
7668 10248 12075 12170 12283 14433 14925 14931 18415 20946

M17

Mode MCW

Constant carrier. Each message sent 3 times each on a different frequency. They do use the same triplets of frequencies for each time slot. Transmissions are Monthly 2 weekly or weekly, on week of each month basis. Either on the Hour, Hour+20 Hour+40 Or Hour+30 Hour+50 Hour+70.Mainly on during the evening but have been heard at other times of the day.

First 2 figures of header are schedule numbers.

Frequencies used
3410 3910 4270 4460 4740 5235 5695 5865 6290 6675 6935 7425 7790 8070 9050 9245 10470

Only known skeds

Reports of any other skeds appreciated

M20

Part of the M3 Family. Sends a varying amount of Vs then = = 000.

Has ben known to send VVV = = 000 and up to 5 minutes of Vs

My own opinion of this is that it is just a tuning signal for M3.

M23

Mode ICW. Another strange station always changing times and frequencies.Can use 2 3 or 5 figure identical IDs. Or strings of dots, Vs or Is, and no figures. ID variants, 2 figure even/odd, 3 figure even/odd, 3 zeros, 5 zeros, 5 fives, 5 ones, etc, Vs with gap every half minute, Is with gap every half minute, Continuous Vs, continuous Is. In some cases of 3 figure IDs if all figures are odd there is no message, if even, there will be a message sent.

They do have one regular transmission, that has been going now for two and a half years. It is on daily at 0800 and 1400. 2 Frequencies used at same time 8307 and 9285. It just sends the ID 579 for 10 minutes.

When they do send a message they use long zeros and the format is

First and last groups are normally the same. Not all groups are random.

One frequency that has seen regular use is 6999 at 1100 Another in use at present, January 1999 is 7796 at 1030 and 1600. Usually sends long messages. These are repeated many times.

Many variants on this theme, some EG all 3 fig groups are 2 parallel frequencies, others not.

Frequencies used to date
3380 4767 4825 4893 5019 5180 5349 5540 6525 5550 5665 6290 6520 6560 6870 6918 6928 6999 7647 7520 7850 7795 8307 9285 10775 11346

M24

Modes ICW, MCW, MCW CC. The same format as M14 except that the 5 zeros at the end are sent spaced out, and the whole transmission is sent at high speed. Usually 40 WPM. Sometimes sends very long messages. Longest so far is 431 groups which took 45 minutes to send.Has been noted to be back on same frequencies and times as in 1997.

M24A

Same as M14A sends 2 messages

Now listed by ENIGMA as M14

M26 98 station

Has been heard on 4106 with // 2961. Is a very erratic station, can go for months without being heard, then will be on continuously for a week. Format is similar to following, heard on 22 October

M29

Mode ICW.

VDE has 3 formats, the second M29 is in regular use daily, at 1700 and 1900. 1800 and 2000 in winter. Another is not heard as often but when it is can send several messages over a period of time, changing frequency each time.

The first format transmits on the same frequency for 1 month and transmits the same message for one week. The messages are usually 10 to 14 groups. Although the message is changed each week quite a lot of the same groups appear in many messages. Although the call is VVVx2 the rhythm of sending is unmistakable. Speed 12 WPM It favours frequencies in the lower part of the band from 3 to 6 Mhz. Winter at the lower end. Is on at 1800 and 2000.

25 is G Count 11 and 04 Extra figures 0800 Time of first transmission UTC+1

No = = signs. Repeats 30 minutes later 100 Khz HF.

The daily transmissions are now the second format.

M34

11 12345 2 Fig IDs, No ending Logged recently on 2 March 1998 at 0820 on 5040

Format is

Machine sent at 15 WPM, using long zeros. Note that the second and last group in the message are the same. Not been heard since then. Seems to have no regular skeds.

M39

Part of the M10 group but does not use M10 frequencies and can be on at any time. The length of the transmission varies and may include more than 1 ID.

458 458 458 76621 76621 Repeated 4 times

Period of dashes

458 458 458 73309 73309 Repeated 4 times

No ending, just stops after the last set of dashes.

M40 747

Format is

VVV CQ 747.135 R5 CQ135 CQ135 CQ135 HR HR 18 18 = = 18x5f AR AR RPT RPT

VVV CQ135 CQ135 CQ135 HR HR 18 18 = = 18x5f Message repeated Ends AR AR VA VA

Uses short zeros, sent at about 20 WPM. repeats the same message for 2 days.

Call is always 747 the . is sent as AAA different IDs.

Very rarely, sends 2 messages

This station has been observed for decades. The signal is very strong in Tokyo. The station changes its frequencies in March, May, Sept. and Nov. All in A-2 mode but for CQ515 and CQ747.

Messages are rebroadcast 30 minutes later except for CQ707/CQ909. The same messages are repeated for two days at the same time on the same frequency. The speed of CQ747 is slower, compared with that of other CQ3f. In case of A-2 mode, carrier appears more than 15 minutes before the start of a message. CQ707 and CQ909 replace each other with frequency changes. CQ 863 and CQ974 do so also.

The station has at least four transmitters.

I believe the station is operated by the Research Department for External Intelligence, one of four intelligence units at the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea. North Korean agent Kim Hyun Hee, who was convicted for blowing up a KAL Boeing in 1987, belonged to the department. In "Now, As A Woman," the Japanese version of her best selling book, "The Tears of My Soul," she writes she received A-2 Morse coded messages while in Guangzhou, southern China, and Macao in 1985. She received messages at midnight on 10th, 11th, 25th and 26th of every month on 8050, 10300 and 16100kHz. The callsign of her group was CQ616 and her individual callsigns were 083, 914, 493 and 490. The English version does not mention this practice.

The following is a monitored schedule of the station:

CQ113
400/1600 1430/1630
5150kHz 4700kHz (Nov.-Feb.)
5590 6630 (March-April, Sept.-Oct)
5810 8210 (May-Aug.)

CQ466
1500/1600 1530/1630
4660kHz 5650kHz (Nov.-Feb.)
5150 5810 (March-April, Sept.-Oct.)
5650 6870 (May-Aug.)
0630 (Tuesday-Thursday)
8110kHz (March-April, Sept.-Oct.)
8620 (May-Sept.)

CQ432
1400/1500 1430/1530
5535kHz 4600kHz (Nov.-Feb.)

CQ974
1400/1500 1430/1530
5535kHz 6750kHz (March-April, Sept.-Oct.)

CQ863
1400/1500 1430/1530
5535kHz 7400kHz (May-Aug.)

CQ735
1600 1630
5190kHz 5900kHz (May-Aug.)

CQ515 (A-1)
1700 1730
12300kHz 16100kHz

CQ707
1630
4670/5200kHz (March-April, Sept.-Oct.)

CQ909
1630
5670/6425 (May-Aug.)

CQ295
1630
5210 (March-April)

CQ616 (4th, 5th, 20th, 21st of each month)
2300 2330
8110kHz 8880kHz

CQ747 (A-1)
0900/1000/2000 0930/1030/2030
10620kHz 12948kHz

M44

Continuous Roman Letters

M45

Similar format to M1 but is sent much slower at 12 WPM. Is part of the S21 family as the same message is sent to a different ID by the S21 Voice station.

It used to start every message with 5 zeros, but has just recently stopped doing that. Transmits at 1802 each Tuesday and Thursday. At present on 3525 // 4025 to ID 525, but that is liable to change. Now sends IDs made up of last 3 figures of lowest parallel frequency. It always starts at 2 minutes past the hour.

M51

100 Letter group station. Can be on at any time on any frequency. I have yet to find the start of it so do not know the call. Sends messages of 100 5 letter groups, can be on air for up to 5 hours. A message sent one day for example NR 89 if sent the next day is a different message. Serial numbers run from 1 to 90 and then starts 1 again.

Message header is Serial Number of message, First letter of the Month, Date, Time, which is always 1 hour ahead of UTC

= NR 54 J 9 10:42:37 =

M52 2Figure 6 Figure

Another station that may be on at any time. Again when it is on can be on for days continuously. Heard on 5 November 1998 on 4802. Format is
2000 11 II 253257 253257 253257 AR
2015 12 II 254987 254987 254987 II 99 AR

Latest log Friday 19 February 1900 to 2100 on 4801 sending
24 II 854957 854957 894957 AR

Logged again on 28 July 1999 on 5694
36 II 511919 511919 511919 II 29 II 222 AR

M53 747

M54 to M75

There are many other stations listed by Enigma between M53 and M75. I have not heard any of these stations to give a description. when I do so I will add them to the FAQ. A lot of them are stations that have only been heard once, and posibly will not be heard again.

They are described in the Enigma Numbers Stations Booklet Part 1. If you hear any of them, I would always appreciate any information

M76

A new station I have found on 11 December 1998. Is on at 1750 and 1800 on 3819. I am also sure it is on a second time during the day, but I have yet to find it.

Format is
Call, 4 Digit callsign De 4 Digit callsign. Uses a different callsign each day, they can be a mixture of letters and figures. It does use accented letters in the callsign. So far noted U ..-- and A .-.-

Only sends the callsign 3 times, then QTC 96 23 = QTC 96 is a serial number, next transmission at 1750 the next day will be QTC 98. 23 is a group count.

First part of message always starts 26310, and quite often has groups of 5 letters, heard so far are D R W and N Last group is always NNNNN. This first part, apart from the first group is always different.

Then follow several messages which can be repeated for days, sent as 335 33 = 33x5f  = Last group usually contains some letter X.

The first six groups of the messages have similarities. The first group is always 40545 and the second starts with 79. The last two figures of the message are always 37, where the last group is 7XXXX, then the previous group will end with a 3.

Is sent fairly fast at about 25 WPM. Not a very good signal in Southern England, but even worse in Holland. I would very much like to find the second daily transmission, so if you hear it, please send me an Email.

I have not heard it since April 1999, as the path is all in daylight, and signals do not travel at that lower frequency. I have searched other frequencies but have not found it so far. I have had a listen on 3280 at 0350 and 0450 but did not find it on. I expect to be able to hear it again in September.

Please send updates and logs of morse code numbers stations to: Guy Denman.

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