Types of Shortwave Spy Numbers Stations:

This is a fairly commonly heard format, though not as often heard as the five digit variety. The transmission starts with a three digit block repeated three times, followed by a count, such as "376 376 376 1234567890". This is sent for several minutes, and is followed by a series of tones. Then the number of message blocks to be sent is give, for example "grupo 87". Then the four digit message blocks begin. The message is terminated with "fin". Four digit numbers stations generally have excellent technical quality. They may be the "real" messages (as opposed to training exercises), or just run by better funded spies!

5 Digit Spanish YL

This is by far the most commonly heard type of numbers station in North America. A typical transmission starts with "atencion", then a three digit block and a two digit block, such as "atencion 932 86". The two digit block is always the number of five digit groups later sent as the message. The three digit block is believed to be the recipient. This preamble is sent for several minutes, and then the actual message is sent, as a series of five digit blocks. The transmission ends with the words "final, final". AM modulation is sometimes used, although SSB is also reported. I have heard many stations which seem to be using reduced carrier sideband, with modulation on one of the sidebands, and a lower power carrier, sufficient for reception on AM receivers. These transmissions often have technical problems (poor audio, hum, distortion, sometimes big "accidents" like starting to play the Radio Habana opening music!

4 Digit English YL

These transmissions start with a three digit block (presumed to be the recipient number repeated for several minutes. No message length is sent. A 1234567890 count is then heard, often followed by some tones. Then the five digit message blocks begin.

5 Digit English YL

These transmissions start with a three digit block (presumed to be the recipient number repeated for several minutes. No message length is sent. Then the five digit message blocks begin. The accent of the female announcers of the five digit stations often varies. Some are distinctly Britsh, some Spanish, others sound American. This may indicate that there are several organizations operating the various stations. Or, as with many "facts" about Numbers Stations, it may mean nothing at all!

Lincolnshire Poacher 5 Digit English YL

This is a variation of the five digit English station. The tune "Lincolnshire Poacher" (which sounds like "Pop Goes The Weasel" is played at the beginning of the transmission. This station is most often heard in Europe and the eastern part of North America. I have often heard it being jammed.

3/2 Digit English YL

These transmissions are very similar to the five digit transmissions, except that a distinct pause is heard between the third and fourth digits of each message block. It is not known if this signifies a different encryption system than used in the five digit transmissions.

5 Digit German YL

Similar to the five digit German stations described below. Rarely heard (at least in North America).

5 Digit German YL

These transmissions often open with tones or some sort of music. Sometimes, a two letter phoentic phrase is heard, such as "Papa Romeo". The preamble opens with "achtung" and a three digit block, generally presumed to be the recipient. (Perhaps it is really the number of the one time pad to be used to decode the message, and the two letter phonetic sent at the beginning is the recipient. This makes sense to me because the agents would listen at the beginning of the transmission to see if the message is for them.) This is followed by "gruppen" and the number of message blocks to follow. The message closes with "ende". Commonly heard in Europe, and North America. This would tend to indicate a European transmission site. Indeed, several years ago, transmissions were DFed to a then East German location.

3 Letter Phonetic (Mossad)

A female voice is used to repeat a three letter phonetic phrase (followed by a number), such as "Papa November Oscar Two". This can go on for hours before a message is sent. The message is generally blocks of phonetic letters. It is believed that Mossad (the Israel Intelligence Service) operates these stations, and they are often referred to as Mossad transmissions.

cps@access.digex.net Chris Smolinski