The AM Forum

Ref: Recent discussion here about "mysterious" numbers station on HF radio. Seems we may have a user.

MIAMI (AP) A psychology professor accused of being a Cuban agent admitted Friday that he was a ``collaborator'' with Cuba's intelligence service, communicating with officials using a short-wave radio, sophisticated encryption techniques and a code name, ``David.''

rest at link

http://www.wcbs880.com/topic/ap_news.php?story=AP/APTV/National/a/a/CubanEspionage_a_a_-----

During my "broadcast days" on 6955 there was a guy that would get on the air and just say weird crude things for about 20 minutes and disappear.  :o

Yep, take him down I-95 and drop him off.  The Justice Dept won't have to worry about what to do with him.

I remember sometime in the 80's there used to be a Spanish speaking one that would fire up in the middle of 75m, somewhere about 3860.  It would pin my s-meter and wipe out any ham communication in progress.

I recall hearing German speaking ones several times after re-unification, and wondering if they really were located in East Germany as long rumoured.

Numbers stations seemed pretty much unaffected at the time by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of communism in Europe.

....within the last year,i somehow was sent a link abt this...bbc radio interview (very long),was abt this...spoke to many swl's,who have a thing for these things...it had audio of these things,and some of them had sign-on music,them the numbers...the report is recent,and there has to be a link to this...myself,i've not herd them in yrs,but then again,i havent looked...so i assume,they are still around...sk..

Seems like it'd be easy to track them down.  Or do they move around?

I always thought Miami was Cuba...

I heard Cuba (South Cuba) was quite the place to visit during the Battista days. A short and relatively cheap flight over from Miami and you not only are enjoying the island paradise with it's beaches, cities, and towns but you also could live the "good life" and get all the hookers, drugs and vices that you want all while smoking a genuine Havana cigar. At least those are the rumors that I heard.  But all that went down before my time.

2:35 p.m. EDST

Just now I was listening on 8097 kHz. AM to a very strong carrier with MCW sending 5 letter code groups.  The code actually sounded hand-sent.  Much 60 cycle hum on the audio; the program probably coming to the transmitter by landline.

2:45 p.m. EDST.  No modulation now, except for the hummage.

...CAN STILL GET CUBAN CIGARS HERE IN CANADA....REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICS,(OR IN SPITE OF),THE U.S. SHOULD LET THIS GO...TRADE W/CUBA..THE U.S. DOES WITH OTHER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES....CHINA,VIET NAM,etc...

I largely agree. I think it would do more good  in the long run to open up trade relations than to maintain current priorities.  And many in the business/corporate secor would like to see trade relations opened.

Lots of talk about trading with Cuba. What exactly (besides cigars) of any significance to the US ecomony do they produce?

Yep Phil, I agree. It' sall about collecting the votes and keeping those nice political jobs. Lots of things government does doesn't make sense until you look at  who's being lined up for a political position and whom they are trying to impress for votes. Then again, what's perfect. besiders, at least we can make a choice here.

Steve, good question. I'm going to look up what are  Cuba's primary resources that would be worthy of trade. I know that besides Cigars and Tobacco, sugar cane is a commodity,  But plenty of other countries produce it as well.

...OK...WELL,IF THERE ISNT MUCH CUBA CAN OFFER THE U.S., THEN WHY BOYCOTT?...SEEMS THAT JFK AND HIS BUNCH LOST ALL THE ILLEGAL STUFF THAT COULD NOT BE HAD IN THE U.S. DRUGS,CASINOS,PROSTITUTES,MAKES ONE WONDER WHY THIS STILL GOES ON...UNLESS,THE U.S. WANTED A PRIVATE WHORE PLAY-GROUND,UNDER BATISTA,AND WANT IT BACK....?...SK..

But how much Phil? In actual dollars, what is this trade worth?

Oil, off shore. So what. We have oil of our own shore we won't drill.

Sugar production is subsidized in this country. Not likely imports will happen.

By your own admission, the tropical produce production is incapable or legitmate trade with the US.

Too much coffee in the country now.

Tourism might be the best option. But once again, it's not ready.


So what do we have for trade with Cuba. A whole lot of nothing.

Thanks for proving my point. For years people have been screaming to resume trade with Cuba. By your own admission, Cuba is not ready or worthy of trade with the US right now and won't be until the government changes to the right kind. So in the past and today trade is essentially a big zero. And there seem to be lots of IFS for anything worthwhile in the future. The same could be said for many other countries. So, what's so special about Cuba?

But what is the "right kind"of government ? part of the reason why there was a revolution in Cuba was that there was such a large underclass which was largely exploited by the Battista regime. The vastly large underclass felt that they would be better off joining up with Castro and revolting against Battista rather that remaining as they were.  And that is pretty much what ensued. They threw out Battista and threw out those who sympathized with him. Did they gain much in return ?? Probably not much other than a bit of dignity, a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that those who were their "repressors" were no longer in power reaping the fruits of their  underpaid labourr, and, perhaps a better  chance to become literate. In any event had the US taken a more sensiblke approach such as addressing the concerns of the poor underclass rather than  than blind support for Battista perhaps the revoolution coul;d have been thwarted.

Normalized relations with Cuba would make sense from a business prespective. If not so much in good we get from them in goods and services we can export  to Cuba. Particularly  in todays economy it could open a lot of doors to entrepreneurs eagerto provide goods and services. Cuba could be a great market. The days of the "redmenace" and the "cold war" are over. It'stime we broaden out business perspecives and expand opportunities to Cuba. There is a lot  to gain. I say we jump right in and take advantage of the Cuba market.  The McCarthy days of the red menace and the cold  war are over. Let's move  into modern times.

What's your opinion. We'd like to know.
 

true.
They don't produce 5% of their domestic need, and it's heavy low quality crap like tar.  Useless.


Fidel finally figured it costs more to grow it than it's worth/.  They've recently closed over half of the sugar refineries.  You can get better sugar cheaper from North Dakota sugar beets.


Generally poor quality, compared to most any other tropical country I've been to.  The mangos are pretty good, though.


True.  some of the best coffee in the world.  They don't grow enough of it to be much more than a boutique brand though.


I've not heard this one.  We're doing fine aluminum wise anyway.

THe tourist industry would be fine had Castro not completely destroyed it.  You get a much better quality vacation for less by going to Mexico, Bahamas, etc. 

Remember that EVERY dollar of trade to Cuba presently goes right into Fidel Castro's pocket.  We've gone over this many times on this forum, and politics doesn't belong here anyway, so I'm done.

I'm still waiting for a legitimate business case to be presented John. You have not presented one. Feel good phrases like, it would be a great market are meaningless. Trying to inject red menace crap into the discussion does not become you.

Just to be clear, I'm not against trade with Cuba. I just think it gets more coverage (demand) than is proper given the level of economy involved.

the sugar beets are harvested by machine... cheeper than the Cuban slave labor...   klc

at least they don't wear rags on their heads and stupid enough to wear bombs.
Gene poor may be deeper

Sounds like good ships fuel. Many oil burning ships, boats, usually (or at tleast used to) burn a very thick tarry oil. Matter of fact it's viscosity was so high that it had to be heated in order to be used, 

I agree.

My only reason for mentioning the "red menace" is because I wanted to make a point that I don't  think that
the threat of communism is a viable reason not to trade with Cuba anymore.

As far as "trade" with Cuba goes I would have to do more research with regards to Cuba and it's exportable goods. However, from things I have read it appears businesses are not as interested in what they can get  from Cuba as in what they can provide to Cuba in terms of goods and services. It's the exportation TO Cuba that some business people feel the real moneylies as opposed to the importation FROM Cuba.For example, if embargo's and trade and travel restrictions were liftted would Cuba be a good place for an American IT contractor to look for work ? Similar to the idea of American contractors providing services to Iraq. Imagine having a contract to build, rebuild and modernize Cuba's IT infrastructure. If the provision of this and similar goods and services are viable Cuba might offer some excellent investment and business opportunities for American entrepreneurs.  That is the angle I am looking at and not so much trade in things like cocoanuts, sugar, etc. But yes you are right. I do need to conduct some more research before I can claim these idea are feasable . However, I have done some research on this. Some analysts say yes, lift the embargo, it will open up a goldmine for American businesses. Other analysts are not quite as enthusiastic. Both present good arguments. But who is right ?

Well we certainly don't have any qualms trading with that other red menace, China.

By the way, did anyone tune in that numbers station I mentioned yesterday?

They burn asphalt.

I heard that they're really good at keeping old cars running...for decades! Should be a car collector's dream if the bodies are in decent shape. And rumors persist that the CIA left behind a pair of KW-1 transmitters, although if true, I doubt there's much left of them. But try to imagine the bragging rights on epay!

Tourism is probably the best bet for Cuba, I agree. As far as drugs, prostitution, etc, Montreal is just a coupla hours up the road and well-known for its drugs, prositutes, stronger beer, and a lower drinking age.

The act of prostitution in Canada is not illegal. But communicating in public for the purpose of prostitution is illegal for customers and prostitutes, as is living off the avails of prostitution.

"MUC police estimate that as many as 3,000 prostitutes operate on Montreal Island. Many work for escort agencies, in bawdy houses and in Massage parlors. Only about one-third are Street walkers."

The local Coalition for the Rights of Sex Workers estimates that there approximately 5,000 prostitutes, escorts, strippers, masseuses and phone-sex operators in the Montreal area. Their goal is to have the sex trade subject to the same rights and guidelines as all workers in Quebec.

Just over the border around St Johns and the surounding area in Quebec resides the Hell's Angels big drug operation:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/bikergangs/

According to Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, the Hells Angels is the foremost organized crime group in the country, topping traditional Mafia and ethnic gangs.....The largest and most-feared chapter of the Hells Angels was formed in Montreal....

Seems prescription drugs aren't the only reason to visit Canada.

The plan with China was to entice them into the developed world through trade relations. They're commies for sure, but they disliked and distrusted the Soviets at least as much as we did. China allows much more freedom and capitalism for its people than Cuba does, provided you pay your dues to the red army. They still make me nervous, and I avoid giving them my money if at all possible. Something about selling scrap metal to some country in WWII comes to mind...

I suspect the boycott of Cuba is as much about pride as it is about removing a criminal from power. Let's not forget the millions in US holdings that Fidel 'nationalized'. Why line his pockets any further?

Now, it'd be different if we could have the "All Cuba Sweeptakes and Corntest"... ::)

That's exactly the point I was trying to make. The goal of most  businesses interested in lifting the embargo  lies not so much in importing sugar cane, cigars, and mangoes from Cuba but in exporting American goods and services to Cuba.


I absolutely agree. Castro, or whomever runs Cuba afterwards needs to lighten up and adopt a more feasable economic policy.

 
I wouldn't mind taking on some IT projects over there if the embargo were lifted. Just imagine with you running the radio stations and with John/W3JN doinmg his Statre dept. work and with me handling the Information technologies we'd  have that  country running like a fine Swiss watch. ;D ;D

Actually it is called "bunker oil" or "bunker fuel" its nasty schtuff!

Frank said:

In the Navy it was refer to as DFM, Diesel Fuel Marine.

I remember once, years ago, taking a Greyhound bus from Quebec City to Boston.  The bus stopped at the border for customs check.  The agents didn't bother to go through everyone's luggage, but each passenger was briefly interrogated and passports/ other indentification were checked.  One man had a Cuban cigar that he had purchased in Canada in his shirt pocket.  The customs agent confiscated it.

Unfortunately those cars have been in daily use for 50-60-70 years, and are rolling junk heaps patched together with parts from Russian trucks and shadetree welding shops.  There are a few (*very* few) nice cars there, but none I saw are particularly desireable.  A lot of early 50's Chrysler products, because the Russian trucks used a copy of the Chrsyuler flathead 6.  All of which were fairly ugly...


Todd, that's the crux of our Cuba policy in a nutshell.  Mixed with many voters who staunchly support this policy.

Remember a few years ago some refugees were caught trying make it to Florida in boats that were actually converted automobiles?  I saw a photo of one.  It looked pretty cool.

I understand the coast guard scuttled those crafts once the occupants were pulled off board.  What a shame. They should  have towed them to shore.  Think what museum pieces they would have made.  Or better still, what one would have brought on e-Pay.  It took some ingenuity to make a seaworthy craft out of an ancient Chevy.  They could have auctioned those things off and reduced the national debt just a hair.