Subj : Numbers stations
To   : Angus McLeod
From : Digital Man
Date : Sun Aug 14 2005 12:01 am

  Re: Numbers stations
  By: Angus McLeod to Digital Man on Sat Aug 13 2005 12:44 am

 >   Re: Numbers stations
 >   By: Digital Man to All on Fri Aug 12 2005 17:20:00
 > 
 >  > What experiences do any of you have with "Numbers stations"?
 > 
 > I've heard them.
 > 
 > They are obviously coded messages being passed for clandestine purposes.

I happened upon the wikipedia page when reading up on cryptography,
specifically, the use of a one-time-pad.

 > Given the technology available today (like encrypted e-mail, or even
 > encrypted digital radio transmissions on various bands and even spread
 > spectrum) I'd have to assume that they are intended for reception by
 > operatives under deep cover, who can not have any incriminating hardware
 > lying about.  You can copy the numbers stations with a simple shortwave
 > receiver and a pencil, and then (providing you have the key) decrypt the
 > message.

Are show wave receivers cheap? Small? Easy to procure?

 > I can see the system being used to send a message to a spy operating in a
 > foreign country, rather than, say, to an /embassy/ in a foreign country.
 > 
 >  > From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_station:
 > 
 > I find some of the analysis here interesting.  For instance, they say that
 > Class-B, AM transmitters operating in the HF bands are the norm, and that
 > Polyphase and PDM modulators are not used because "energy costs were not
 > an issue", and then wanders off into a discussion of DRM.  Frankly, I
 > wouldn't consider the energy budget to be of much concern to these people,
 > and I am surprised that they (Wikipedia) do not consider the complexity of
 > the *receiving* station necessary to copy these transmissions. 

Wikipedia is a publicly created/edited site. Anyone (yes, even you) can edit
any page at any time. Try it! It's easy. The community makes the content :-)

 > I am interested in hearing any ideas other DOVE-Netters may have.

Me too. As an out-of-band source of OTP data or other cryptographic uses, it's
intriguing to me.

                                                  digital man

Snapple "Real Fact" #69:
No word in the english language rhymes with month.

.