Spy Radio

Kittyclaws · 1st July 2008, 02:57 PM

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

Fnord · 1st July 2008, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Kittyclaws

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 · 1st July 2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Kittyclaws

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 · 1st July 2008, 07:09 PM

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 · 2nd July 2008, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by 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

But, what about Naomi?

kosai · 2nd July 2008, 10:24 AM

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 · 2nd July 2008, 10:24 AM

[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 · 2nd July 2008, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by 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?

Goverments have tried. Mostly given up now mind.

spacecat · 3rd July 2008, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by 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?

Getting a bit too close to the truth eh kosai?

1st July 2008, 02:57 PM	#1
Kittyclaws Muse Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bellingham, WA, City of Subdued Excitement Posts: 786	Spy Radio Do people really sit around hunting on their ham sets for "secret" messages?

1st July 2008, 03:38 PM	#2
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	Originally Posted by Kittyclaws 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.
	__________________ Belief is the subjective acceptance of a (valid or invalid) concept, opinion, or theory; Faith is the unreasoned belief in improvable things; *and Knowledge* is the reasoned belief in provable things. Belief itself proves nothing.** Last edited by Fnord; 1st July 2008 at 03:40 PM.

1st July 2008, 07:09 PM	#4
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,415	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
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

2nd July 2008, 08:04 AM	#5
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,633	Originally Posted by 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 But, what about Naomi?
	__________________ Belief is the subjective acceptance of a (valid or invalid) concept, opinion, or theory; Faith is the unreasoned belief in improvable things; *and Knowledge* is the reasoned belief in provable things. Belief itself proves nothing.**

3rd July 2008, 01:03 AM	#9
spacecat New Blood Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	Originally Posted by 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? Getting a bit too close to the truth eh kosai?
spacecat New Blood Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3

1st July 2008, 03:43 PM	#3
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,564	Originally Posted by Kittyclaws 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.

2nd July 2008, 10:24 AM	#6
kosai Recently Audited Thetan Cluster Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569	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.)

2nd July 2008, 11:25 AM	#8
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,564	Originally Posted by 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? Goverments have tried. Mostly given up now mind.