Is this mysterious Russian ghost radio station broadcasting to spies?
- 7 years ago
MOSCOW — A mysterious "ghost radio station" operating out of Russia is broadcasting secret messages to spies, according to a signals intelligence expert.
The station, nicknamed the Buzzer, has been emitting a short, monotonous buzz tone since the Cold War, with reports saying it started as early as 1973 to as late as 1982.
No one has ever admitted to running the station, which has spawned a number of conspiracy theories, including that it is staffed by ghosts.
The station broadcasts 24 hours a day on a frequency of 4625 kilohertz. It emits 25 buzz tones per minute, which is sometimes interrupted by Russian voices that appear to be talking in code.
Up until 2010, the station officially identified itself as UVB-76, but then switched to MDZhb.
Like all international radio stations, the Buzzer broadcasts shortwave signals that can travel for thousands of miles and be received all over the world.
Some have speculated that the station is programed to retaliate if Russia is ever hit by a nuclear attack. But David Stupples, an expert in signals intelligence from City University, London told BBC News he ruled that theory out for technical reasons.
Instead, Stupples said the station is probably a tool to communicate in times of crisis with Russian spies overseas and military personnel stationed in remote areas.
The station, nicknamed the Buzzer, has been emitting a short, monotonous buzz tone since the Cold War, with reports saying it started as early as 1973 to as late as 1982.
No one has ever admitted to running the station, which has spawned a number of conspiracy theories, including that it is staffed by ghosts.
The station broadcasts 24 hours a day on a frequency of 4625 kilohertz. It emits 25 buzz tones per minute, which is sometimes interrupted by Russian voices that appear to be talking in code.
Up until 2010, the station officially identified itself as UVB-76, but then switched to MDZhb.
Like all international radio stations, the Buzzer broadcasts shortwave signals that can travel for thousands of miles and be received all over the world.
Some have speculated that the station is programed to retaliate if Russia is ever hit by a nuclear attack. But David Stupples, an expert in signals intelligence from City University, London told BBC News he ruled that theory out for technical reasons.
Instead, Stupples said the station is probably a tool to communicate in times of crisis with Russian spies overseas and military personnel stationed in remote areas.