Spy Radio

[Kittyclaws]

Do people really sit around hunting on their ham sets for "secret" messages?

[Fnord]

Do people really sit around hunting on their ham sets for "secret" messages?


Yes and No...

Many Amateur Radio receivers also cover the non-Ham bands, but Ham radio transmissions are required by law to be "in the open", or at least not use any sophisticated encryption methods.

I have, at times, tuned through some of the VHF/UHF bands and overheard conversations devoted to police raids and stake-outs, cordless telephone conversations, baby monitors, newsfeed back-channel chatter, and 'private' ship-to-shore marine telephone calls.

I've also received security telemetry and video, weatherfax images, and global TTY broadcasts.

In the early days of cellular telephony, I could easily listen in on cell phone conversations, but that hasn't happened since they all went digital.

[geni]

Do people really sit around hunting on their ham sets for "secret" messages?

Yes

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/

Not many but their are people interested in traceing number stations out there.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four

[Fnord]

seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four seven eleven six nine twenty-four nine five ninety-nine twelve six one one one four six twelve fubar eight six thirteen twenty one two-thousand-and-two sixteen four


But, what about Naomi?

[kosai]

I didn't really understand why numbers stations showed up on a skeptics podcast. Not enough people even know about them to have created strange beliefs surrounding them yet have they?

If Skeptoid is going to cover strange but real things now maybe Brian could do the Toynbee tiles next? I've always thought that is a pretty strange thing(in a good way.)

[Kittyclaws]

[I have, at times, tuned through some of the VHF/UHF bands and overheard conversations devoted to police raids and stake-outs, cordless telephone conversations, baby monitors, newsfeed back-channel chatter, and 'private' ship-to-shore marine telephone calls.

In the early days of cellular telephony, I could easily listen in on cell phone conversations, but that hasn't happened since they all went digital.[/QUOTE]

I work for the local telco and you wouldn't believe how many calls we'd be sent out on for people who were afraid their phones were being tapped. I'd explain that illegal tapping is nearly impossible to verify and I'm forbidden to reveal a legal tap. Then I'd point to their cordless phone(s) and suggest a hardwired set.

Kat

[geni]

I didn't really understand why numbers stations showed up on a skeptics podcast. Not enough people even know about them to have created strange beliefs surrounding them yet have they?

Goverments have tried. Mostly given up now mind.

[spacecat]

I didn't really understand why numbers stations showed up on a skeptics podcast. Not enough people even know about them to have created strange beliefs surrounding them yet have they?



Getting a bit too close to the truth eh kosai?

:)