Strange Happinings On 3840...

[George, K2XL]

A few moments ago there was a weak foreign AM BC station on 3840... fading in and out. Every few minutes for a moment or two another station on USB with an English female accent transmitted groups of five letters phonetically. The USB letters station was heard reasonably well (S-5) in the NYC area. There's also hammer activity on LSB... ignore them. On occasion when both the AM and USB stations ceased operation (at about the same time) a very weak CW signal was heard for about one minute. I could not decipher any info from the CW station because the signal was very weak at my 20.

These signals are typically heard between 2330 to 0530 GMT.

BTW: If there is any interest in this nonsense do not attempt to listen on LSB. 

3's,
K2XL / KNVŲ993

[k4kyv]

It's a numbers station.  Do a google search on Numbers Stations and you will find all the information you need.

There is another one that frequently shows up on 3640 as well.

[Ed KB1HVS]

Maybe Art Bell???

[W1RKW]

What is a 20?

[KB2WIG]

                    "What is a 20?"

Its one of them bad numbers that were banned from Sesame Street.... ..    klc

[W2JBL]

sounds like the guys down in Grover's Mills are at it again

[Bacon, WA3WDR]

I assume that '20' is short for 10-20, which means the same thing as QTH.  Whatever QTH means.

Yes, the five number format has been standard for encrypted transmission by voice over shortwave for many, many years.  You'd think that they would come up with a better system, but I guess one does what works.

[k4kyv]

I assume that '20' is short for 10-20, which means the same thing as QTH. 

But isn't that Highway Patrol jargon?  Never heard it used on the ham bands.