Category Archives: What’s On Shortwave

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Alcaravan Radio

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The Alcaravan Radio transmitter site is located south of Bogata.

The Alcaravan Radio transmitter site is located SSW of Bogata in Puerto Lleras.

On March 19th, I was able to record a particularly strong signal from Alcaravan Radio out of Puerto Lleras, Columbia. Alcaravan Radio broadcasts domestically on medium wave and also on 5.91 MHZ shortwave, from 23:30-12:00 UTC.

I have seen their output power listed anywhere from 1,000 – 5,000 watts; a puny amount by international standards, but more than enough to cover their target area of Columbia.

There are very few details about Alcaravan Radio on the Internet. If anyone can add more details about this station, feel free to comment below.

This is a four hour recording and contains about three hours of music.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Pirate Radio Recordings: Radio Ronin Shortwave

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Ronin's mix starts with the Sex Pistols (Photo: 45cat.com)|

Ronin’s mix starts with the Sex Pistols (Photo: 45cat.com)|

If you can’t tell from the number of recordings I posted today, last night was a busy night for pirate radio.

I heard no less than five pirates: AATW Radio, Red Mercury Labs Radio, Rave On Radio, Black Cat Radio and Radio Ronin Shortwave.

Though many had great signals, the strongest was Radio Ronin Shortwave on 6.925 MHz (AM). Ronin’s broadcast started around  22:15 UTC (March 22, 2013) and lasted for more than an hour. Near the end, you will hear some interference from maritime mobile stations in the upper side band of 6.925–that just ads character in my book.

Click here to download the full recording by clicking here, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Standard Pirate Radio Disclaimer: This is a recording of a real pirate radio broadcast, and as such, may include strong or colorful language or lyrics. In general, if you are easily offended by the words, ideas, music lyrics, or music herein, you should slowly…back… away…

Pirate Radio Recordings: All Along The Watchtower Radio

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(Click to enlarge)

One short pirate broadcast I caught last night was All Along The Watchtower Radio.

AATW Radio’s USB signal on 6.955 MHz started around 00:24 UTC (23 March 2013).

The (robo voice) host, Alex Jobs, played a great mix of music starting with a version of Video Killed the Radio Star by The Presidents of the United States of America. It actually sounded pretty good in upper side band!

Hear for yourself! Click here to download the MP3 recording of the full broadcast, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

"Mom, could that be The Presidents of The United States of America? How patriotic!"

“Mom, could that be The Presidents of The United States of America? How patriotic!”

Rijmenants’ paper sheds light on Cuban numbers stations

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WFL_015I’m always amazed by the remarkable talents and extraordinary knowledge of SWLing Post readers. Dirk Rijmenants recently commented on one of our Cuban spy numbers station postings:

[T]hanks for your work on this fascinating blog.

I have additional information on how and who used these Cuban numbers stations. I composed a paper based on FBI and court documents. “Cuban Agent Communications” can by found in the Papers section of my website.

Here’s the direct link (pdf):
https://www.ciphermachinesandcryptology.com/papers/cuban_agent_communications.pdf

Have fun reading!

Dirk Rijmenants
Cipher Machines & Cryptology

I’ve read Dirk’s paper, which does, indeed, shed light on the process of receiving and decoding numbers. Most of all, it exposes the vulnerability and fallacy of using anything other than one-time decryption keys and single-use pads. Why? Most of what the FBI has learned about Cuban numbers came from laptops that were used to help decrypt coded messages–an unnecessary procedure when numbers can simply be decoded on note pads that can then be burnt or destroyed.

But don’t take my word for it–download and read Dirk’s paper “Cuban Agent Communications” by clicking here. Also, be sure to check out Dirk’s blog and cryptology website; I’ve bookmarked both.

Thanks for sharing your findings, Dirk!

Pirate Radio Recordings: Black Cat Radio

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(Click to enlarge)

(Click to enlarge)

Last night, I heard a new pirate on the air: Black Cat Radio.

Black Cat signed on 6,925 kHz USB around 23:45 UTC. After sending in a reception report, I received a reply with a cool eQSL card (see right) and learned that this was, in fact, show number one.

Here’s the show #1 play list, courtesy of Greaser Bob:

  • The Genders- Horatio
  • Blitz- 45 Revolutions
  • Queens of The Stone Age- Go With the Flow
  • Nirvana- Anueurysm
  • Black Flag- Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie
  • Betty Blowtorch- Strung Out
  • The Misfits- Angel F**k
  • Suicidal Tendencies- You Got I Want
  • MC5- Kick Out the Jams
  • Corrosion of Conformity- Who’s got the Fire
  • Phil X and the Drills- You’re not Happy till Im not Happy
  • The Vandals- Urban Struggle
  • The Bloodhound Gang- Pennsylvania
  • Betty Blowtorch- Rock and Roll 69

Click here to download the full recording of Black Cat Radio Show #1 as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Standard Pirate Radio Disclaimer: This is a recording of a real pirate radio broadcast, and as such, may include strong or colorful language or lyrics. In general, if you are easily offended by the words, ideas, music lyrics, or music herein, you should slowly…back… away…

PCJ Radio International radiogram, March 31st

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pcj

(Source: PCJ Media)

On March 31st, 2013 PCJ Radio International will conduct a digital text through analogue shortwave broadcast of a radiogram.

Setting: MFSK32

Date: March 31, 2013

Time: 0227UTC

Frequency: 9955khz

This test will have a message in English and Spanish for listeners in Cuba and Latin America. Those in the South Eastern part of the United States will also be able to tune in and record the 2 to 3 min transmission. If all goes as planed the Cuban jamming against 9955 kHz won’t have any effect on the message we will transmit.

For information on the software needed to decode this radiogram visit the following URL:

http://www.pcjmedia.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/224-pcj-radio-radiogram-test-march-27-2013

VOA Radiogram: March 23/24 broadcast

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VOARadioGram(Source: VOA Radiogram)

VOA Radiogram for March 23/24 will be similar to the past weekend’s program in that it features the PSK modes. Much of Kim’s script will be the same. In this weekend’s broadcast, however, only one mode at a time will be transmitted. This should improve the signal-to-noise ratio and ability to decode each mode.

Each will be centered on 1500 Hz:

  1. BPSK31 (1:00)
  2. PSK63F (1:00)
  3. BPSK63 (1:00)
  4. PSKR125 (1:00)
  5. PSKR250 (1:00)
  6. PSKR500 (1:00)
  7. PSKR1000 (1:00)
  8. PSKR125 (3:45) Plain text
  9. PSKR250 (2:40) Flmsg* formatted (with html)
  10. MFSK32 (0:55) Image

*Install Flmsg. Then, in Fldigi: Configure > Misc >  NBEMS > under Reception of flmsg files click Open with flmsg and Open in browser, and below that state where your Flmsg file is located.

If decoding performance is still not satisfactory, VOA Radiogram in future weekends will feature more robust modes, such as MFSK, MT63, and Olivia.

See VOA Radiogram: how to decode the modes.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC)
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1300-1330 6095 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

Please send reception reports, audio samples, screenshots, etc.,  to [email protected]