ATTENTION ALL AGENTS!Numbers Transmission from KPH The Maritime Radio Historical Society, in cooperation with our good friends at the Cipher History Museum , present a unique, over-the-air cryptographic challenge. On January 20 2024, coast station KPH will transmit a coded message consisting of 5-digit groups. The message will be encrypted using typical Cold War numbers station cryptographic procedures. All KPH listeners are invited to try their hand at receiving and decrypting the message. Certificates will be awarded to all agents who successfully decode the message. Additionally, a special certificate will be awarded to the first agent to decode it. Background "Numbers Stations? It's said that they're relics from the Cold War; a way for various intelligence services to communicate with agents in the field. The truth... well, you're not actually cleared for what the truth is." — Agent Johnson, Fugue State During the Cold War era, 'Numbers Stations' were frequently heard on the shortwave bands by radio amateurs and SWLs. Using voice or Morse code, these stations would broadcast encrypted messages in the form of five-letter groups of numbers. Although the Cold War has ended (or has it?), there are still active numbers stations and new ones keep appearing, broadcasting covert messages from secret and officially non-existing radio installations. Who is listening to them? That remains a mystery. The encryption methods used by number stations are widely believed to use a one-time pad (OTP) procedure: the simple addition (or subtraction) of a set of random numbers from the OTP to encode (or decode) the cleartext. Once used, the OTP key was never re-used and destroyed after use. Number stations still offer a powerful advantage in our modern world: provably unbreakable security and complete anonymity. All the recipient needs are the OTP, a shortwave radio, and to be on the right frequency at the right time. You say your tradecraft procedures are a bit rusty? Perhaps you have mislaid your code book? Normally you'd be recalled, and provide explanations once you return to Langley. However, there's good news! MRHS is here to help. At great cost, we have managed to intercept a copy of the OTP that was used to encode the message. Please find the link below for the decode procedure and further information. KPH Numbers Broadcast: Date, Time and Formats The numbers broadcast will commence at 2100Z (1300 PST) on 20 January 2024 on all KPH CW and RTTY frequencies. The CW frequencies are (in kilocycles): 425.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8, and 22477.5 . Upon completion of the CW transmission, the broadcast will be repeated using RTTY (170cps shift, 45 baud) on the following frequencies: 6324.5, 8427.0 and 12585.5 kcs. Certificates Certificates of Cryptographic Excellence will be awarded upon proof of successful decode of the Numbers Message. A special certificate will be awarded to the first Agent to manually decode the message (i.e. using pen and paper, without the use of a computer program). Details and decoding procedures For full event information and instruction on how to decode the Number Message please visit the MRHS Events page at: https://www.radiomarine.org/mrhs-events. Further Information For further details or questions regarding the KPH Numbers Broadcast send email to crypto@radiomarine.org. VY 73 es GL, Maritime Radio Historical Society BURN AFTER READING
You need the decoder ring to get the Olvaltine message. That message provides the keys for your OTP to be used to decode the numbers station.
The Old Ovaltine plant is only a few blocks from Connex offices (now part of Switchcraft). I drive past it at least once a week. https://www.ovaltinecourt.com/history Ovaltine’s Factory Complex was converted to residences, Ovaltine Court, after 70 years (1917-1988). Adjacent hike/bike trails are Great Western (Chicago Great Western RR) and Prairie Trail (Chicago, Aurora, & Elgin Interurban) https://www.ovaltinecourt.com/photogallery
Attention All Agents: Numbers Event Update The date for next MRHS cryptographic challenge is approaching. (On Saturday January 20 at 2100Z, coast station KPH will transmit a coded message in "Numbers Station" format, in 5-digit groups, using both CW and RTTY on all KPH MF and HF frequencies). Important information for Agents: To help ensure proper reception, the message will be sent twice in each mode (CW and RTTY). The CW Numbers Message will be sent at ~15 WPM, by hand. In the event of a sending error, a question mark ('?') will be sent and the entire 5 digit group repeated. The One-Time-Pad and Conversion Chart chart in the practice example (see below) are NOT the same ones used in the broadcast. The Numbers Message is encrypted using a different format than the previous MRHS crypto challenges. No code machine (like an Enigma) is needed. Instead, decrypting the message is a manual, pencil-and-paper process. For full details, decoding instructions and a link to a dead-drop containing Mission Critical Information see the MRHS Events page: https://www.radiomarine.org/mrhs-events . For questions, email crypto@radiomarine.org VY 73 es GL, Maritime Radio Historical Society
It's the old Radio Moscow World Service interval Music, of course - 'Moscow Nights'. Unfortunately, the KPH license does not include mode A3E (AM). However, the KPH channel marker (also known as "the wheel") will be running prior to the Numbers Transmission. That way you can listen to our 4, 6, 8, 12, 17 or 22Mc channels to see which one comes in best at your QTH. VY 73, Kevin K6TOP KPH Cryptographic Coordinator
Very cool! Propagation at 21:00Z should favor the 22477.5 broadcast from here. Looking forward to it. Jon
It's almost time for the Numbers Station cryptographic challenge from MRHS! In less than 48 hours, at 2100Z (1300 PST) on 20 January 2024 a coded message in 5-digit groups will be sent on all KPH CW and RTTY frequencies. As a crack Field Agent, you are invited to try your hand at receiving and decrypting the message. Certificates will be awarded to all agents who successfully decode the message. Additionally, a special certificate will be awarded to the first agent to decode it. If propagation from Bolinas CA to your QTH is difficult (or the Other Side is jamming our KPH signals), try using one of the many web-based general coverage SDRs in the continental US to copy the broadcast. (see www.rx.linkfanel.net) Further Information: For details, decoding instructions and a link to a dead drop containing Mission Critical Information, see the MRHS Events page: https://www.radiomarine.org/mrhs-events For questions, email crypto@radiomarine.org VY 73 and Good luck! Kevin K6TOP
Has anybody an audio record of the CW transmission. I was a few minutes to late when i found a websdr that can receive the station. vy 73 de DL2NEA
photo courtesy of M. Leska (AE6FK) & C. Cichoski (KL5DP) From: MRHS To: All Agents Priority: FLASH Many thanks to all who participated in the KPH Numbers Event, sponsored by the Maritime Radio Historical Society. The event was well-received, as evidenced by the ~175 entries sent in to crypto@radiomarine.org! Here's the Numbers transmission as sent using CW and RTTY (on 7 HF frequencies plus 425 kc): CQ CQ CQ DE KPH KPH KPH NUMBERS MESSAGE FOLLOWS = 447 447 447 = 14408 22398 89277 37674 58289 07722 15378 84975 30552 61128 69986 02108 68467 10079 92331 32982 54092 37446 22905 15340 17129 81152 39418 67073 25414 81456 43361 = (message repeats once) Using the one-time-pad and Mission Critical information found at https://www.radiomarine.org/mrhs-events, the above message decodes as follows: <To Agent 447> CURRENT OP COMPROMISED. ABORT. TRAVEL IMMEDIATELY TO ISTANBUL VIA SWISS PASSPORT. CONTACT AGENT MAX. DANGER, INSIST ON MOSCOW RULES. BURN AFTER READING. 'Certificates of Cryptographic Excellence' will be sent to all Agents who successfully decoded the the message, and a special certificate to the first non-computer-assisted decode. Please allow 7-10 days, etc. Again, many thanks to all who participated. VY 73, Kevin K6TOP MRHS Crypto Coordinator
Huh... my OTP came up with a different message: THIS IS SARA FROM DEALER SERVICES WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU ABOUT YOUR EXTENDED CAR WARRANTY PLEASE CALL US AT 800-555-1212 BE SURE TO DRINK YOUR OVALTINE AFTER BURNING Just kidding, what a cool thing to do - I hope everyone had fun!
Yes, from the responses everyone had lots of fun with the challenge! Like last time, the most common response was "Do it again!". Responses were received from Japan, Spain, France, England, Germany, Finland, Italy, Brazil, Puerto Rico as well as the US, Alaska and Hawaii. About 1/3 of the participants used the RTTY broadcast, the rest used the CW broadcast. Most of the EU participants listened in on one of the many US web-based SDRs since propagation from the KPH transmit site (at Bolinas, CA) to EU was poor. And many of the participants really got into the spirit of the Numbers Station crypto challenge, including this one: https://youtube.com/shorts/xmS3Engy9wA?si=pSX3oJXV9-CrxYdD VY 73, Kevin K6TOP MRHS
