The Ghostly Radio Station That No One Claims To Run (bbc.com)

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The Ghostly Radio Station That No One Claims To Run (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on Friday August 11, 2017 @07:20AM from the what's-happening dept.

Zaria Gorvett, writing for BBC: In the middle of a Russian swampland, not far from the city of St Petersburg, is a rectangular iron gate. Beyond its rusted bars is a collection of radio towers, abandoned buildings and power lines bordered by a dry-stone wall. This sinister location is the focus of a mystery which stretches back to the height of the Cold War. It is thought to be the headquarters of a radio station, "MDZhB", that no-one has ever claimed to run. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for the last three-and-a-half decades, it's been broadcasting a dull, monotonous tone. Every few seconds it's joined by a second sound, like some ghostly ship sounding its foghorn. Then the drone continues. Once or twice a week, a man or woman will read out some words in Russian, such as "dinghy" or "farming specialist". And that's it. Anyone, anywhere in the world can listen in, simply by tuning a radio to the frequency 4625 kHz. It's so enigmatic, it's as if it was designed with conspiracy theorists in mind. Today the station has an online following numbering in the tens of thousands, who know it affectionately as "the Buzzer." It joins two similar mystery stations, "the Pip" and the "Squeaky Wheel." As their fans readily admit themselves, they have absolutely no idea what they are listening to.

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The Signal by HumanWiki · 2017-08-11 07:25 · Score: 1

Careful, you'll end up with robot legs on an alien ship.
1. Re:The Signal by cayenne8 · 2017-08-11 09:22 · Score: 1
  
  Do they take requests??
  "Hey...can you play Stairway.....?"
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
2. Re: The Signal by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 10:09 · Score: 0
  
  Play Free Bird!!!!
3. Re: The Signal by cayenne8 · 2017-08-11 11:02 · Score: 2
  
  Hey...
  Play Stairway to FreeBird!!!!
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
4. Re: The Signal by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 11:32 · Score: 1
  
  Stairway to Gilligan's Island is better.
Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:27 · Score: 5, Insightful

It doesn't run for free. It has power lines that someone pays the bills for the power usage. No doubt Russia has an FCC equivalent that all radio broadcasters must be licensed with. If it isn't officially licensed, then the government is allowing it, meaning the government is ultimately running it.
1. Re:Follow the money by Captain+Splendid · 2017-08-11 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  This post assumes a level of competence and accountability than has literally never existed in Russian history.
  
  --
  Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
2. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:59 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  The most obvious explanation is it is part of a military strategy to facilitate an insurgency should Russia be invaded.
  Basilcy the station broadcasts nonsense on regular intervals so that at any time in the future it can be used by remnants of the Russian military to broadcast coded information without giving away the fact that they started communicating. It also broadcasts a solid tone and heartbeat so they can reduce the likelihood of somone else using the channel and so they can tell if the station is destroyed or deactivated without waiting for the next broadcast. It is also possible but IMO less likely that it is in active use for espionage.
  It probably isn't a nuclear deadman switch as those would have been shut down as part of post soviet disarmament. It might have been a decoy deadman switch that no one has the guts to turn off because they can't find the documentation saying where the missiles it controls are and are (because they don't exist) but no one is entirely certain the documents weren't just lost.
  It also probably isn't just a random troll as it's continued operation implies that someone with some kind of pull set it up not just a random citizen (they had to make arrangements with the power company at the very least, and likely ongoing matinance given it's age)
3. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 08:00 · Score: 0
  
  Cut the power and see if it's fixed.
4. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 10:25 · Score: 0
  
  The 4625 kHz freq only requires less than 100 watts to effectively reach the entire earth. A 100 watt amp that runs off a 12 volt automotive battery is easily available at any short wave radio store. A simple solar charger and a 12V battery could power the station.
5. Re: Follow the money by guruevi · 2017-08-11 10:53 · Score: 1
  
  Plenty of unlicensed bands especially for worldwide broadcasting. The NSA and every other government agency in the world have number stations going well back to the Second World War. And even I can find abandoned industrial parks and even residential areas where the power is still on, energy companies can't just be bothered to turn off certain things or engineer a way to disconnect an area of the power grid without affecting surrounding areas and dependencies.
  
  --
  Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
6. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 12:21 · Score: 0
  
  thanks officer
7. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 15:08 · Score: 0
  
  "The Buzzer" is a common nickname for a Russian Western Military District commandment network, which operates on the frequency 4625 kHz around the clock. The name comes from its signature channel marker used to keep the frequency clear - 1.25s buzzing tone, followed by a 1.85s pause.
  Link
8. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 20:29 · Score: 0
  
  It probably isn't a nuclear deadman switch as those would have been shut down as part of post soviet disarmament.
  Except they destroyed *some* missiles. They still have an arsenal of a similar size to the US.
9. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 20:54 · Score: 1
  
  Surprisingly enough, however, it almost certainly reaches the right conclusion. Look up numbers stations. Probably the thing you are forgetting is that the Soviet military (with a reasonably high proportion of Russian officers) showed very high levels of competence at all sorts of times. Mixed with the kinds of disasters that probably no other military in the world could achieve.
10. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 23:22 · Score: 0
  
  It's been broadcasting since the early 80's. If it was solar powered back then the panels or the place where the panels were placed would be visible on Google maps.
  It is possible that they have switched to solar since it was first setup, but without any longer interruption of the signal we can assume that it is the same operator now as it was back then.
  If it isn't connected to the grid it is more likely that it is running from a gas/diesel generator. (And it probably have one as a backup anyway.)
  You don't even have to apply occam's razor to figure out that it is a military installment.
  It's not like you can think of any other plausible explanation, it screams military all over it.
  Any denial from the government sounds a lot like "Oh, the people with Russian uniforms and military equipment running around in Ukraine isn't Russian, they are probably just civilians, or Dutch."
  People also go there and service it, it's just that the government claims that no-one have been there.
  It seems improbable that capacitors and tubes haven't been replaced in all this time.
11. Re:Follow the money by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 05:47 · Score: 0
  
  Mueller will get there soon.
12. Re:Follow the money by Shikaku · 2017-08-12 09:49 · Score: 2
  
  Improbable but not impossible: the first lightbulb is still running
13. Re:Follow the money by Megol · 2017-08-14 08:32 · Score: 1
  
  The Soviet (and later Russian) nuclear dead-man mechanism is reasonably well know to the public by now (well such things are hard to verify of course). It includes a lot of sensors designed to detect nuclear detonations on Russian ground, specialized hardened communications lines and hardened bunker(s) that is always active. If sensors detect detonations _and_ the normal chain of command can't be reached the personnel at the bunker(s) is given authority to decide if a nuclear attack have occurred and if retaliation is needed. They then can activate the system which uses misc. ways to communicate a launch signal to missile silos, it is claimed one way is sending commands to specialized missiles to launch which in turn fly over Russian territory broadcasting launch code(s) to silos below.
  While the system described may be bogus it seems reasonable and also more foolproof than trying to make a system based on ordinary radio broadcasts. Jamming a radio transmitter is trivial compared to jamming multiple optical fibers buried underground.
No Real Mystery by Myrdos · 2017-08-11 07:27 · Score: 5, Informative

As I understand, it's almost certainly used to send coded messages to Russian agents in case of emergency. The Russians are probably broadcasting a constant tone to reserve the frequency, so other people don't start using it. They say as much in the article.
1. Re:No Real Mystery by olsmeister · 2017-08-11 07:31 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Maybe it's a component of Dead Hand.
2. Re:No Real Mystery by IonOtter · 2017-08-11 07:39 · Score: 2
  
  That's the most common, most plausible, and also most terrifying theory.
  Because if for some reason it stops...
  
  --
  [End Of Line]
3. Re:No Real Mystery by penandpaper · 2017-08-11 07:41 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Welcome, to the scary door.
4. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:43 · Score: 0
  
  That is also mentioned in the article.
  The largest possibility given the location (St.Petersburg, which was the capital of Russia a few times) is that it's government related, as currently that's where all the foreign embassies are.
  The question really, is what significance is it? What would happen if the equivalent of shitty script kiddies DDoS'ing it by drowning out that frequency all over the world. Or any other "numbers" station for that matter.
  If it really was the dead hand, then overpowering the radio transmission would damage or disable whatever is meant to receive it. Would doing so cause a nuclear launch?
5. Re:No Real Mystery by cheesybagel · 2017-08-11 07:49 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  One of the things that British submarines were supposed to do to know if the country was nuked in a first strike was to listen to the BBC broadcast. If there was no broadcast then they were supposed to assume that the country was nuked and to do a retaliatory strike on pre-programmed targets over the Soviet Union.
6. Re:No Real Mystery by Nutria · 2017-08-11 07:59 · Score: 2
  
  As anyone who's watched Dr. Strangelove knows, the DH only works if the other side knows about it.
  So, either the Ruskies have told the Americans (who thus know, and are keeping quiet), or the Ruskies are -- as in the movie -- doing it horribly, horribly wrong.
  
  --
  "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
7. Re:No Real Mystery by Mike+Van+Pelt · 2017-08-11 08:19 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  As anyone who's watched Dr. Strangelove knows, the DH only works if the other side knows about it.
  So, either the Ruskies have told the Americans (who thus know, and are keeping quiet), or the Ruskies are -- as in the movie -- doing it horribly, horribly wrong.
  (thick fake Rooskie accent) It was to be announced at the Party Congress on Monday. As you know, Putin loves surprises.
8. Re:No Real Mystery by Pentium100 · 2017-08-11 08:39 · Score: 1
  
  I'd think that jamming the frequency would be difficult since the transmitters are most likely many kW in power and if it is a component of the Dead Hand then the receiver is in Russia. I would also assume that the frequency is closely monitored and if you try to jam it, you get a visit from the FSB. It is also probably not the only trigger (random faults also happen, you wouldn't want to have nuclear war if the transmitter fails at the wrong time), but part of it.
9. Re:No Real Mystery by EvilSS · 2017-08-11 08:43 · Score: 1
  
  It's public knowledge they have a "doomsday" system already, and I'm sure the US knew about it well before it became public.
  
  --
  I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
10. Re:No Real Mystery by The+Grim+Reefer · 2017-08-11 08:49 · Score: 1
  
  You are entering the vicinity of an area adjacent to a location. The kind of place where there might be a monster, or some kind of weird mirror. These are just examples; it could also be something much better. Prepare to enter: The Scary Door.
11. Re:No Real Mystery by Rick+Schumann · 2017-08-11 08:56 · Score: 1
  
  I think with a little bit of ingenuity you could actually hijack that frequency especially since it transmits a constant tone. A competing signal could, I think, be used to modulate it, piggybacking other information on it.
12. Re:No Real Mystery by tlhIngan · 2017-08-11 09:08 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I'd think that jamming the frequency would be difficult since the transmitters are most likely many kW in power and if it is a component of the Dead Hand then the receiver is in Russia. I would also assume that the frequency is closely monitored and if you try to jam it, you get a visit from the FSB. It is also probably not the only trigger (random faults also happen, you wouldn't want to have nuclear war if the transmitter fails at the wrong time), but part of it.
  Well, kW isn't that h ard to generate, since most radio stations are in the MW range or hundreds of kW. Though for shortwave, you don't need more than a few kW to reach around the world.
  The thing is, the modulation is probably AM, which means attempts to jam it are easily discovered because AM modulation squeals when there are multiple transmitters on the same frequency and you can never completely jam it - if one is broadcasting a tone and someone else is broadcasting modulated speech, you can make out the speech. This property of AM radio is why aircraft still use AM for communications - it's easy to tell when multiple stations transmit, and it's possible to make out what someone is saying over the squeal.
13. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:12 · Score: 1
  
  Oh and watch out for the grue.
14. Re:No Real Mystery by NuclearCat · 2017-08-11 10:03 · Score: 1
  
  Absolutely theoretically - this frequency might be, as many others. And buzzer just may work to make sure frequency is not used by anyone else.
  But transmitter definitely not, because it will be extremely stupid to run such component continuously, it will be destroyed on first strike. And if it activates dead hand on destruction, then some terrorists might destroy it as well, and trigger noke war.
  So, most likely - no. One more myth.
15. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 10:27 · Score: 0
  
  " it's easy to tell when multiple stations transmit, and it's possible to make out what someone is saying over the squeal."
  Didn't help KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736 during their little radio fuckup on Tennerife.
16. Re:No Real Mystery by Grog6 · 2017-08-11 10:27 · Score: 1
  
  Rofl!
  
  --
  Truth isn't Truth - Guliani
17. Re: No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 11:37 · Score: 0
  
  Dumbest idea for a dead man's switch ever.
  It broadcasts the same thing or nuke the planet?
  What's to stop enemies from recording and broadcasting it themselves?
18. Re: No Real Mystery by blindseer · 2017-08-11 13:00 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps the predetermined and very specific code words that are sent periodically? If someone replays the signal then the ruse will be discovered when the wrong code word is not given in the predetermined time period.
  How do they know what the predetermined code word would be? Likely sent in a book transferred by secure courier.
  What if they kidnap the courier, copy the book, and threaten to kill the man's family if he tells anyone? Because someone tasked with carrying this book likely has no family, and if someone is going to use this information to plan an invasion into Russian territory then no threat of violence will work, because he's dead no matter what he does.
  In other words, I think they have this figured out.
  
  --
  I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.
19. Re:No Real Mystery by NuclearCat · 2017-08-11 13:21 · Score: 1
  
  "Almost certainly" without even basic proof, just picked from nose.
  Especially knowing, that in our modern age much more decent methods of communications exist.
  So agent have to compromise himself buying receiver capable to tune 4625Khz (thats not easy to find), tune to this frequency and listen each day, raising even more suspicions.
  While even at good old times they was reading newspapers or listening to local radio for steganographic-like messages, which looks much more innocent.
20. Re: No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 13:41 · Score: 0
  
  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station
21. Re: No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 15:28 · Score: 1
  
  The man with no ties to the world isn't super objectionable to changing or swapping the book out. What does he care if it goes in a nuclear fire? Dead mans switches aren't worrisome to dead men.
22. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 16:09 · Score: 0
  
  The most scary thing in the world, Hey who turned out the lights.
23. Re:No Real Mystery by rock_climbing_guy · 2017-08-11 16:58 · Score: 1
  
  "We were afraid of a Doomsday Gap!"
  
  --
  Wh47 d1d j00 541, 31337 15n't t3h r0xor5 ne m0r3???
24. Re:No Real Mystery by Eunuchswear · 2017-08-11 22:31 · Score: 1
  
  Follow the youtube link in the BBC article -- it has broken down in the past. Given that we're still here it probably isn't part of Dead Hand.
  
  --
  Watch this Heartland Institute video
25. Re:No Real Mystery by Eunuchswear · 2017-08-11 22:46 · Score: 1
  
  $20 from Amazon.
  https://www.amazon.com/TIVDIO-...
  
  --
  Watch this Heartland Institute video
26. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 23:30 · Score: 0
  
  As anyone who's watched Dr. Strangelove knows, the DH only works if the other side knows about it.
  And Mutually Assured Destruction only works as a deterrent until an idiot or a madman gets in a position to cause damage.
  It has worked out well so far. No-one that crazy have been able to trigger the destruction yet, but it is also just a matter of time.
  Do you think it will last a century?
27. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 00:08 · Score: 0
  
  It already did, several times actually. No nuclear apocalypse happened that I know of:
  
  On June 5, 2010, UVB-76 went silent for approximately 24 hours, resuming the normal buzzing pattern on the morning of June 6.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UVB-76
28. Re:No Real Mystery by crashumbc · 2017-08-12 01:21 · Score: 1
  
  If it would have been silent for 26 hours!!!!!
29. Re:No Real Mystery by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 15:06 · Score: 0
  
  " it's easy to tell when multiple stations transmit, and it's possible to make out what someone is saying over the squeal."
  Didn't help KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736 during their little radio fuckup on Tennerife.
  That wasn't caused by a radio problem.
  The captain of the KLM took the runway without being cleared to do so, because he was impatient and ignored the rules.
30. Re:No Real Mystery by Nutria · 2017-08-13 03:05 · Score: 1
  
  I do, because one crazy Third World tin pot won't cause Global Thermonuclear War. He'll "just" (note the important quotes around that word) cause Local Thermonuclear War.
  
  --
  "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
It's encrypted messages... by MindPrison · 2017-08-11 07:28 · Score: 5, Insightful

...when everything else fails.
Hidden in plain sight.

--
What this world is coming to - is for you and me to decide.
1. Re:It's encrypted messages... by omnichad · 2017-08-11 07:54 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  More like the key to a codebook that operatives already have. The blip could mean jump to the next encrypt/decrypt key. The random words could be for an occasional recalibration in case you missed some blips or a one-time pad.
  Probably very similar in design and use to number stations.
2. Re:It's encrypted messages... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 10:18 · Score: 0
  
  This.
  a) You cannot track the recipient of a message if everywhere on the planet receives it.
  b) It requires no special equipment, just a radio, to receive the message.
  Perfect one way spy communication.
3. Re:It's encrypted messages... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 16:37 · Score: 0
  
  Except that a radio that can tune to 4625Khz isn't a common item so that would likely be enough to give you away as a possible spy/saboteur/whatever.
4. Re:It's encrypted messages... by Eunuchswear · 2017-08-11 22:49 · Score: 1
  
  As I said above, a $20 clock/radio from Amazon (SW:3.2-21.9MHz) could pick it up. (3.2MHz is, of course 3200KHz -- 4625KHz is easy).
  
  --
  Watch this Heartland Institute video
Time for the yearly "number station" post? by pegr · 2017-08-11 07:28 · Score: 5, Funny

Where does the time go?
1. Re: Time for the yearly "number station" post? by Lije+Baley · 2017-08-11 09:25 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe the periodic stories, or even the Wikipedia article itself, hides the actual communication. Maybe I'm issuing an instruction right now...
  
  --
  Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.
2. Re: Time for the yearly "number station" post? by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 17:59 · Score: 1
  
  I know, I know! "Circle-K" means "advance the pad"! Do I win?
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
3. Re:Time for the yearly "number station" post? by cold+fjord · 2017-08-12 12:16 · Score: 2
  
  Where does the time go?
  Indeed.
  
  --
  much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
Re:Mystery was solved by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:30 · Score: 0

u r 2 clever
"John has a long Moustache..." by Penguinisto · 2017-08-11 07:34 · Score: 1

What? You never know what or who may be relying on those occasional contrasting tones and words.

--
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
1. Re:"John has a long Moustache..." by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 08:24 · Score: 0
  
  the chair is against the wall
2. Re:"John has a long Moustache..." by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 18:00 · Score: 1
  
  ...a baby's hand holding an apple.
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
3. Re:"John has a long Moustache..." by Eunuchswear · 2017-08-11 22:57 · Score: 1
  
  Well, actually "Les Sanglots longs des violons de l'Automne... blessent mon coeur d'une langueur monotone".
  Followed by:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?... ... and through United Nations Radio, Mediterranean.
  
  --
  Watch this Heartland Institute video
UVB-76 by Jack+Malmostoso · 2017-08-11 07:35 · Score: 5, Informative

In case you're wondering, this article is about the very famous UVB-76 station.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
1. Re:UVB-76 by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:42 · Score: 0
  
  And every two to three years its "news" over and over again.
2. Re:UVB-76 by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:48 · Score: 0
  
  You can also stream it on iTunes.
3. Re:UVB-76 by Jhon · 2017-08-11 08:57 · Score: 1
  
  "And every two to three years its "news" over and over again."
  Groundhogs broadcast radio signals?
4. Re:UVB-76 by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 18:08 · Score: 1
  
  Eh, whatever, it was news to me, and interesting. I find that humans are in need of occasional reminders about important things, anyways. Plus there's also the next generation that needs to be introduced to old info.
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
5. Re:UVB-76 by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 21:47 · Score: 0
  
  U2 made me stream it on iTunes
Could be worse... by __aaclcg7560 · 2017-08-11 07:36 · Score: 4, Funny

When I used to visit my parents in Sacramento in the late 1990's, a country radio station played 1940's and 1950's country music between midnight and 5AM. Guitar strumming and praising God. Very interesting.
1. Re:Could be worse... by msauve · 2017-08-11 07:58 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  That's nothing. A radio station around here plays Justin Bieber and Kanye West, DURING THE DAY.
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
2. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 08:39 · Score: 0
  
  Wow. A country radio station played country music overnight? That's amazing! Did you notify the FBI about this finding, creimer? They'll probably want to know about this!
3. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:01 · Score: 0
  
  you sound bitter, sweet tits
4. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:08 · Score: 0
  
  Probably a welcome relief from the modern crap country they played the rest of the day?
  Now, GET OFF MY LAWN!
5. Re:Could be worse... by __aaclcg7560 · 2017-08-11 09:20 · Score: 1
  
  Probably a welcome relief from the modern crap country they played the rest of the day?
  I had a fondness for 1970's and 1980's country, as the radio for my father's truck only got two stations: country and talk.. Not too thrilled with either country or talk since then.
6. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:33 · Score: 0
  
  That IS creepy! Surely can't be human controlled, there can't be that much malice in human hearts.
7. Re:Could be worse... by Lije+Baley · 2017-08-11 10:31 · Score: 1
  
  Awww give J.B. a break -- Not my taste, but at least he can sing with his own voice.
  
  --
  Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.
8. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 10:40 · Score: 0
  
  It could have been worse: they could have played modern country. Or worst or all, "talk".
9. Re:Could be worse... by 50000BTU_barbecue · 2017-08-11 10:59 · Score: 1
  
  Hey Jerry Reed is still very good. Now if you go back to the '60s, it's even better!
  
  --
  Mostly random stuff.
10. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 12:34 · Score: 0
  
  there can be that much malice, and don't call me Shirley
11. Re:Could be worse... by SCVonSteroids · 2017-08-11 12:58 · Score: 2
  
  God have mercy on your soul.
  
  --
  I tend to rant.
12. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 13:32 · Score: 0
  
  Sorry to disappoint you, creimer, but I'm not:
  1) A ladyboy (your ideal)
  2) A woman (the unattainable)
  3) A tub of lard with bitch tits (your reflection)
  Also, I thought you didn't post anonymously! I guess that's one more thing you're full of shit about, huh?
13. Re:Could be worse... by __aaclcg7560 · 2017-08-11 15:10 · Score: 1
  
  Hey Jerry Reed is still very good.
  I'll take the 1970's with Smokey and the Bandit (40th Anniversary Edition). My favorite movie with Sally "Gidget" Fields. ;)
14. Re:Could be worse... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 18:10 · Score: 0
  
  you still sound bitter, sweet tits
No mystery, only one more myth by NuclearCat · 2017-08-11 07:37 · Score: 5, Interesting

One more nonsense, i guess just to fuel current trend about "those strange russians". This is typical (post-)apocalypse radio, that will coordinate militaries and probably civilians in case of extraordinary disasters. Note: most probably non-war related, because sites of transmitters are known, and easy to destroy.
AM receivers for such frequency usually very robust, they are installed in many cities in military enlistment office(voenkomat) and easy to make.
Buzzing and etc is just making sure noone else occupy frequency, sometimes(rarely) it is used for other communications, but nothing extraordinary.
P.S. Old transmitter side abandoned in 2010, there is several new, at least 3.
1. Re:No mystery, only one more myth by jandrese · 2017-08-11 08:16 · Score: 2
  
  The tone also helps people make sure they have their tuners setup properly when they're waiting for their code word. It's like a dialtone.
  
  --
  
  I read the internet for the articles.
Audio online by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:42 · Score: 2, Informative

If you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCC8Xb7K0c8
If it's Russian, then it's sinister by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:46 · Score: 0

but if it's American, then it's a hero outpost, defending freedom and democracy. That's what we're being told.
1. Re:If it's Russian, then it's sinister by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 18:12 · Score: 1
  
  Nyet, tovarishch, you're the only one saying that.
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
Is this it? If so, it is a "dull, monotonous tone" by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 07:54 · Score: 1

Is this it?
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=4625
If so, then when the summary describes it as a "dull, monotonous tone", it isn't kidding!
Good morning St. Petersburg! by archer,+the · 2017-08-11 08:12 · Score: 1

This is not rock and roll. This is a test! Time to rustproof your tractor and your trusty dinghy!
1. Re:Good morning St. Petersburg! by R3d+M3rcury · 2017-08-11 10:02 · Score: 1
  
  This ones for all you rock 'n' rollas...
maybe it is Trump Radio by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 08:18 · Score: 0

Putin transmits Trump twitter content...
BBC bollocks fake news shit shit shit by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 08:22 · Score: 1

Zaria Gorvett, writing for BBC:
In the middle of a Russian swampland, not far from the city of St Petersburg, is a rectangular iron gate. Beyond its rusted bars is a collection of radio towers, abandoned buildings and power lines bordered by a dry-stone wall. This sinister location is the focus of a mystery which stretches back to the height of the Cold War. It is thought to be the headquarters of a radio station, "MDZhB", that no-one has ever claimed to run.
>middle of Russian swampland
http://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/The_Buzzer_(ZhUOZ_MDZhB_UZB76)
"At least two transmitters exist for MDZhB. One is confirmed to be at 6018’40.1N 3016’40.5E where it sends radio relay and phone lines directly from Moscow via St. Petersburg’s command hub on Palace Square.
The other site is claimed to be located at Naro-Fominsk, Moscow district at 5525’35N 3642’33E where the 69th communications center is located, which serves as the main staff headquarters of the Western Military district in Moscow. "
I guess wooded areas with nearby lakes and that have modern 4 lane highways near towns and cities counts as "swampland" to the idiot BBC.
>rectangular iron gate. Beyond its rusted bars
It's not rusted. It is, however, rectangular. See for yourself.
>This sinister location
Yeah, its real sinister looking just a few yards off the A-121 highway. Just look at the street view of it in Google maps. Spoooooky.
1. Re:BBC bollocks fake news shit shit shit by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 18:13 · Score: 1
  
  Ha! Pushed a button, didn't they!
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
2. Re:BBC bollocks fake news shit shit shit by slashrio · 2017-08-11 23:29 · Score: 1
  
  Someone mod this up, this is awesome!
  
  --
  "Trump!!", the new Godwin.
3. Re:BBC bollocks fake news shit shit shit by drumlight · 2017-08-14 00:27 · Score: 1
  
  Seems to be a pretty old story and they would be talking about the location previous to 2009 as shown in this old RT news report https://youtu.be/bqkE25mS0ZM
This is the voice of the mysterons by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:07 · Score: 0

...
Re:Is this it? If so, it is a "dull, monotonous to by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:19 · Score: 0

Hmm, I wonder if that radio can receive the radio signals from Jupiter.
Great movie by ArchieBunker · 2017-08-11 09:21 · Score: 1

I really enjoyed that movie. It's amazing given the limited budget.

--
Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
TL;DR--IN SIX WORDS by Provocateur · 2017-08-11 09:30 · Score: 2

In Soviet Russia, radio buzzes you

--
WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
1. Re:TL;DR--IN SIX WORDS by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 18:14 · Score: 1
  
  +1. Had to be said.
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
Good lord... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 09:39 · Score: 0

It's a flipping number station. Figure out the code & you'd have something to talk about.
1. Re:Good lord... by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2017-08-11 10:27 · Score: 1
  
  Be. Sure. To. Drink. Your. Ovaltine.
  
  --
  #DeleteChrome
Numbers station? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 11:11 · Score: 0

Sounds like a numbers station ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station ).
Nothing to see here, just spies communicating with each other.
Jim Creek Naval Radio Sation by PPH · 2017-08-11 11:58 · Score: 1

I used to live in Arlington, Washington. At times, I could hear Russian language broadcasts bleeding into some cheap audio gear I had. I imagine that they could tune up from their VLF frequencies and pump out quite a bit of power (around a megawatt) to talk to our people stationed overseas. Smart to broadcast in Russian. That way the neighbors don't inadvertently hear our agents in Moscow listening to what in the 1980's would have probably been suspect material in English.

--
Have gnu, will travel.
1. Re:Jim Creek Naval Radio Sation by vandamme · 2017-08-12 14:18 · Score: 1
  
  Well, no, you can't just flip a dial and run a million watts at ten times the frequency. It's a little more complicated than that (I did some design on the antenna tuner for a proposal once). But the Navy has a bunch of other stations with the proper gear to transmit high power at short wave frequencies.
No mystery to it by TheOuterLinux · 2017-08-11 12:01 · Score: 1

If the radio signal stops, then something is seriously wrong. It doesn't take a lot of power and it broadcasts far enough to alert anyone. And because it doesn't broadcast anything specific, it remains up to interpretation with no legal recourse.
1. Re: No mystery to it by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 15:33 · Score: 0
  
  Clearly it is kiddie porn funding jihadi terrorism. Give us the decryption key or go to jail forever.
Well.... by MerlTurkin · 2017-08-11 13:39 · Score: 1

That's some really boring shit to listen to.
1. Re:Well.... by sysrammer · 2017-08-11 18:17 · Score: 1
  
  Russkiy EDM.
  
  --
  His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
Flaw. by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 13:57 · Score: 0

Any aggressor would then broadcast a fake BBC signal.
1. Re:Flaw. by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 01:55 · Score: 0
  
  You're not terribly familiar with radio direction finding, are you? -PCP
If you'd like to hear this, and lack the shortwave by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 15:30 · Score: 0

If you'd like to hear this station, and don't own a shortwave radio, Software Defined Radio technology can help - The WebSDR at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=4625 will let you listen to this, or anything else that can be received at their site in the Netherlands.
Re:Is this it? If so, it is a "dull, monotonous to by APL+bigot · 2017-08-11 17:01 · Score: 1

You can also try using the
http://SDR.hu
website which hosts links to about 150 (as I write this) individually owned receivers all over the world. Can be better reception from different locations.

--
Heisenberg may have been here.
woodpecker by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 17:06 · Score: 0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duga_radar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_with_submarines
Likely some communication system.
here is a theory... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 19:28 · Score: 0

It could be the broadcast of an OTP (One Time Pad) plus the occasional keyword or command trigger for operatives. Just my 2c of thoughts.
Re:If you'd like to hear this, and lack the shortw by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-11 21:10 · Score: 0

Note that this websdr is in the Netherlands, so you need to wait until it is night over Europe to hear the signal, as the transmitter is quite weak.
Someone should take over the frequency by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 06:04 · Score: 0

And when the tone stops, instead say, "Butt cheeks".
Buzzes by cwsumner · 2017-08-12 08:20 · Score: 1

A clear tone does not carry much information, but buzzes and squeals have a lot of sideband components and could be carrying a lot of data.
If you have equipment, try manually tuning in a digital signal sometime. It's all buzzes and squeals... ;-)
Not to mention old Faximile, Teletype and other tone-keyed signals. You could tell with an HP packet analyzer, or maybe just a good Trigger-sweep Oscilloscope.
Russian Survivor by Brockmire · 2017-08-12 09:06 · Score: 1

But nobody wonders about the bears.
Steganography?? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 09:54 · Score: 0

My beat is that there is a message hidden in the noise. Steganography
1. Re:Steganography?? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-12 09:55 · Score: 0
  
  BET not BEAT
RTTY Modulated Sub Carrier by Anonymous Coward · 2017-08-13 00:03 · Score: 0

It was common to utilize the sub carrier of AM broadcast stations to mask radio teletype RTTY modulated sub carrier. Therefore presence of the signal is not easily or undetectable by the human ear. Utilizes existing communications infrastructure.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station