Hundred thirty-ninth edition of the N&O column / Spooks newsletter

(Date: April 2009)

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Morse stations

MX

European beacons "D", "P", "C" and "A" have been reported throughout April on the usual frequencies. "S" was not heard. Instead a new beacon popped up on 10871.85 sending "MM" at first and later "M". I'm not sure if this is another Russian beacon or, if it is Russian it isn't necessarily a new one. It might be an defective beacon. If it is Russian it might be a replacement for "S". It would however be illogical that they would use another "M" because we they already have one from Magadan.

Reports from the USA indicate that the new "M" is probably not located in Eastern Europe. While "C", "D" and "P" were audible around 0430 UTC in the USA but the new "M" could not be heard. Looking at the logs from various locations around the globe, a transmitter site at the east side of Russia would be a possibility. If that is the case, then it is probably the Magadan beacon that has been drifting and possibly is/was defective. In any case the station was much louder here in The Netherlands than Magadan ever was. Let's see if it will be there in May as well and if it stays on this frequency.

None of the Asian stations have been reported, unless "M" perhaps.

Channel markers

• R
  5465.9 kHz
• V
  3658, 7000 kHz

M21

Sample messages:

• =17162901100703
• =99?2322?9?????
• =11095235468522
• =992246??0?????
• =111097235755434
• =21097901090707
• =41097????4????
• =99?0038?9?????
• =17013167464638
• =17013167464638
• =111T85554563T8
• =111T85354338T8
• =41109????4?????
• =11110235737440

M41

• 4959 kHz. PVO/Russian Air Defence. Long figure groups.
  "... 1949918233251312871270 0730 J73X J73X J73X ar"

M23

After a quite a while M23 popped up again and Jean-Paul was the first one who reported the station. Jean-Paul uses remote tuners to catch the station. This time he used receivers in Sweden , Italy and Australia . As you can see the skeds seem to be fixed as is the frequency. Thanks for the logs JP!!

M89

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