Not a “numbers station” transmission like we usually think of — it’s the first time I’ve picked it up. It was live (or recorded live — the fact that the broadcaster made a correction makes that obvious, but that occurred before I started recording). I picked up our helium-inhaling friend on 15015 kc at around 12:45 pm Central — he signed off with “Andrews out.” Listening on the Ka-1103 using the whip………
I remember the first time I picked up something like that on a shortwave radio I used to have. I felt like I was listening in on some top secret stuff!!! Does your radio have a SSB knob? You can turn it so the voice sounds a little more human. still cool though isn’t it?
Hello Lib — yep, the KA1103 which I was using has SSB and a little bfo wheel that I had cranked all the way to one “side”. That was as good as I could get it which tells me I was off a kilohertz or two one way or the other on main tuning. Thanks for the comment!
Yea I have a 1103, you need to tune freq 1Khz or 2Khz in one direction to get the fine tune (BFO) more centered…… and better reception…… or better audio quality.
I recall if it fine tune is to the stop going up, than you tune down and vice verse…..
Also the KA1103 or DE1103 are great radios, but SSB is not the best, it’s good. I think you can tune it better than this. The fine tune has very limited range. Also try a good full can headset as well.
Hey ‘Pilot — the only issue with this was that I stumbled across this transmission and by the time I adjusted the bfo, it was over, so no time to adjust main tuning. BTW — I have a set of Koss KHP-21V’s which are very lightweight, cheap ($15+-), sound pretty good and have an inline volume control — very handy with the “goofy” volume control on the 1103’s! Thanks for the comment and Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
Do you have the exact time they transmitted. That would be when to tune in again.
I have the Sennheiser HD 280 Pros, real expensive but a bargain; I got them used in new condition… real nice. I run it through a battery powered headphone amp w/ volume control, works well, but for radio those cans you have will work.
Yea people complain about the volume control, but the AGC is so good I tend to just set it and forget it. I never think about it.
That was 11:38 a.m., Central, on 7/13/09… I’m usually sitting at my desk these days at that time, but I can sure sneak out and see if I can find them again….. will check out the Sennheiser’s (I’ve found headsets (speakers, too) with German-sounding names are usually “killer”). Later!
The actual frequency is 15016.