“What are Numbers Stations?”

Numbers stations are shortwave radio broadcasts that are usually unregistered by national and international communications commissions (with some exceptions). These stations can appear on various frequencies throughout the bands at various times, most keeping regular schedules with seasonal changes. These stations come from many countries, transmitting in multiple languages (such as English, German, many Slavic langues and others) in live or automated voices, Morse code and recently data mode formats.

“What do they do?”

Most commonly, as their name suggests, numbers stations send out strings of numbers. There has also been stations that read out both NATO and pre-NATO phonetic spelling alphabets or a mixture of numbers and phonetic.

“What are they for?”

Historically many theories for these stations came up. The most common was the belief they were intended for espionage purposes, sending orders to spies in foreign countries. In the new millennium, proof has come out. The Cuban Five were caught receiving messages from numbers station V02a. In 2014 the Swedish Security Service released information (in Swedish only) of an intercepted message from numbers station S10. Numbers & Oddities also shared a document about G02 in one 2014 newsletter. However, not all numbers station are for spies, it is very possible some were for other illegal uses like drug trafficking or terrorist organisations.

“How can I listen?”

All you could really need is a shortwave radio and patience, but there are online resources provided here.

 

 

 

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