14 January 2010

Romanian Numbers Station

Putini sunt cei care isi arata preocuparea pentru asa numitele "Numbers Stations" la noi in tara.
Sub aceasta titulatura se ascund anumite emisiuni destinate agentilor care opereaza in tari straine, sub acoperire.
Tehnic vorbind, este vorba de un emitator, de regula in gama undelor scurte, ce transmite siruri de cifre, prearanjate dupa un anume algoritm, intr-una din gamele de frecventa folosite de emitatoarele de radiodifuziune comerciale sau nationale, de regula in modulatie de amplitudine sau in modulatie cu o banda laterala suprimata.
Sirurile de cifre reprezinta un mesaj criptat printr-o metoda de unica folosinta (tabla de criptare).
Mesajul este adresat unui agent care detine tabela unica de decriptare si care, prin folosirea acestiea, recupereaza mesajul.
Principalele avantaje ale acestei metode de comunicare (unidirectionala) sunt:
-posibilitatea ca agentul sa preia mesajul indiferent unde se gaseste pe teritoriul strain;
-absenta riscului generat de posesia unor mijloace specifice de comunicatie cu centrala de operatiuni;
-rezistenta la penetrare a codului folosit.

Ce se stie mai putin este ca si Romania a folosit astfel de metode de transmitere a mesajelor catre agentii sai din strainatate!
Aici puteti descarca un astfel de mesaj in format .mp3.

12 January 2010

Some interesting frequencies to listen

As the local traffic is going boring and boring, I often listen "other" frequencies.
Here are some interesting HF frequencies related to maritime radio traffic:

Informal net frequencies change, but may be:

Atlantic: 8104/8107kHz at 0800UT

Pacific: 8143kHz at 1600UT

Formal Nets:

Med Net 8122kHz at 0630UT

Maritime Mobile Net 14300/14313 24hrs (HAM net)

Herbs Atlantic Net 12359kHz 2000UT (check in from 1940UT)

Caribbean Net 8104kHz 1215UT

Pacific Maritime Net 21412kHz 2200UT

Pacific Seafarers Net 14300kHz 0230UT (HAM net)

Coconut Net (Fr Poly) 8188kHz 1730UT

Coconut Net (SW Pac) 12353kHz 1830UT

Rag of the Air (SW Pac) 8173kHz 1900UT

10 January 2010

RACAL Panther 2000-V - Tactical radio




This is how it sounds!

The Panther V Enhanced Data Radio (EDR) is a core element of the latest generation Panther EDR frequency hopping military radio family. It represents the smallest and lightest tactical 20 watt manpack and vehicle radio available today, offering un-paralleled Electronic Protection Measures (EPM), data and user capabilities in the 30 to 108 MHz military radio band.

Panther V, although available as a 20 watt manpack, has co-site filtering built in to the basic transceiver. By connecting the radio directly to the 24-volt vehicle supply, Panther V will operate as an extremely compact 20-watt vehicle station in multi-radio installations. For higher power, Panther V connects to a vehicle interface unit providing a power output of 50 watts. Even in this high powered role, the volume of Panther offers considerable savings over similar radios from its nearest competitors.

PANTHER V-EDR - GENERAL DESCRIPTION
  • Operating in the 30 -108 MHz frequency range, Panther V-EDR offers unsurpassed communications performance for a radio a fraction of the size and weight of the current generation of equipment.
  • The Panther V-EDR which is now in service in many countries around the word, has been described as the easiest to use tactical VHF EPM radio available today. Fully automatic initial and late entry synchronisation in all EPM modes, coupled with the user friendly controls, ensures that communicating is easy and reliable even for inexperienced operators.
  • Essential to multi-media radio networks is an on-air management system able to provide voice priority and maximum throughput of data at the same time. Panther EDR has been designed with built in multiple radio access protocols, allowing integrated voice and data throughput on a radio net. Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) automatically controls data flow across a radio network and is essential for managed mixed voice and data networks.
  • The advanced facilities provided in the new Panther V-EDR further simplify end enhance the radio s operation, including the introduction of a full dot matrix alphanumeric display for mode indication, easy to use menu structure, and programmable radio net names.
  • The Panther V-EDR radio incorporates the very latest in Digital Signal Processing technology providing a truly software configurable digital architecture radio design. This means that the flexible design and processing power available will ensure that future upgrades, to meet specific operational requirements, can be achieved throughout the in service life of the radio. Software upgrades are achieved without the need to open the radio, thus ensuring that future requirements can be met in the field.
  • To achieve the compact design and high reliability of the radio, comprehensive use of surface mount technology has been made with over 95% of the components being SMDs.
  • The Panther V-EDR radio provides the option for seamless transfer of GPS position information from the externally connected GPS receiver (Internal option available for PANTHER V-EDR GPS). Position information is available on request (polled) or sent with each transmission. By embedding the position coordinates within the encrypted on air link protocol, the information is completely protected from enemy intercept, and additionally is transparent to the radio's voice and data transmissions.

PANTHER V-EDR - GENERAL FEATURES

  • Frequency range 30 to 108 MHz
  • Multi role: integrated transceiver
    • Manpack
    • Vehicle clip - in
    • 20watt vehicle fit
  • Smallest 20Watt EPM manpack/vehicle transceiver available
  • Compact 50 Watt amplifier
  • Integral vehicle harness interface
  • Internal GPS option
  • Dedicated GPS interface
  • and 3 way re-broadcast facility
  • Alphanumeric display
  • Technology: >95% SMD
COMMUNICATION
  • Fully automatic synchronisation
  • Combat proven optimised frequency hopping algorithms
  • Free channel search with frequency hopping interoperation
  • Integral high level 16kb/s digital encryption
  • Custom crypto solutions
  • Interoperable with fixed frequency transceivers
  • Interoperable in all Jaguar V EPM modes
  • Hailing facility
  • Two frequency simplex operation
  • Channel Scanning capability
  • Intercom facility
ADVANCED DATA SERVICES
  • Tactical Inter-net data service support
  • Dual 115kb/s RS232 interface
  • 9.6 kb/s data throughput with comprehensive FEC
  • Integral CSMA for Packet data applications
  • Multiple Simultaneous data calls (MSA)
  • TDMA support for Weapon / Sensor system (option)
  • Automatic voice / data recognition

APPLICATION SUPPORT

  • WindowsTM based Messaging / Email / file transfer application
  • Packet data overlay support
  • Situation awareness (GPS)
  • Command Information Systems support
  • Slow scan video transmission

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
  • WindowsTM based Radio Programmer Software (option)
  • WindowsTM based Extended Control Software Development Tool Kit (option)
  • Comprehensive Over The Air Re-programming with secure / hopping protection
  • Key generation software (option)
  • Comprehensive multi-level BIT
  • Integral Electronic Log Record (ELR)
  • Software upgrade package (option)
ADVANCED USER SERVICES
  • Simultaneous multiple selective voice calls (MSA)
  • Programmable Net Names
  • Operator authentication and identification
  • Alarm and alert functions (option)
  • Commander break - in facility (option)
  • Software radio architecture upgradeable for customer specific functionality

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

The Panther V - EDR is a core element of the latest generation Panther Enhanced Digital Radio (EDR) family. It represents the smallest and lightest tactical 20 watt manpack and vehicle radio available today, offering un-paralleled EPM, data and user capabilities in the 30 to 108 MHz military radio band.

THE ULTIMATE MANPACK SOLUTION

The Panther V - EDR manpack transceiver provides 5 and 20 watts of RF power with un-matched co-site capability enabling operation in multi-radio locations where the majority of similar manpack radios would fail. The transceiver's superior co-site performance also enables the manpack to be operated in a vehicle clip-in configuration, with colocated 50 watt VHF radios, delivering up to 20 watts through the vehicle antenna.

THE COMPACT VEHICLE SOLUTION

The Panther V- EDR transceiver can be installed as a dedicated compact 20 watt vehicle radio in land based tracked and wheeled vehicles as well as airborne and naval platforms. Vehicle harness interfacing and power conditioning have integrated within the transceiver, thus providing a single unit solution.
For high RF power vehicle and base station operation, the Panther V - EDR transceiver interfaces to the BCC 767 amplifier unit providing 50 watts in a compact size that similar systems have been unable to achieve.


PANTHER V-EDR - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

FREQUENCY RANGE

30 to 108 MHz fixed frequency
30 to 88 MHz and frequency hopping
3120 frequencies at 25 kHz spacing

PRESET CHANNELS

8 programmable nets storing all operational information and synchronisation status (battery backed)

OPERATEING MODES

Fixed clear (FC) and fixed secure (FS) multimedia voice, data, video, messaging, situation awareness)
Frequency hopping secure (FHS) multimedia - optimised at 1000hps
Mixed Free Channel Search (FCS) frequency hopping automatic net operation

ON AIR INTEROPERABILITY

Fixed clear voice
Frequency hopping hailing
Jaguar V EPM modes
Channel Scanning Mode (8 channels-FC)
Two Frequency Simplex (FS)

FREQUENCY HOPPING

All frequency hopping
4/16/256 user specified frequency
256 channels orthogonal hopping (8 guaranteed orthogonal sets)
32 barred bands per programmed channel

SYNCHRONISATION

Fully automatic for both initial set up and late entry procedures
Passive and active late entry
Independent of external time of day information
All synchronisation can be achieved without a Master station in the radio net Radio silence - indefinite

ENCRYPTION

High level digital stream cypher encryption covering all media transmissions
Number of keys greater than 1022

BASEBAND INTERFACES

Dual audio input
Dual RS232 data ports with flow control
Connection to Combat Net radio Interface / Radio
Gateway capability to Allied Forces EPM CNR radios (option)

DATA

Baseband data connections up to 115 kb/s
Asynchronous / synchronous data throughput up to 16 kb/s
Asynchronous / synchronous data throughput up to 9.6 kb/s with FEC
Reed Solomon Forward Error Correction (FEC), binary block coding and interleaving
Multiple Simultaneous Access (MSA) - up to 100 selective FHS data calls per net
Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) with dynamic net management
Automatic voice / data recognition

USER SERVICES

Selective call and radio banning
Multiple Simultaneous Access (MSA) - up to 100 selective FHS voice calls per net
Integral Over the Air Re-keying (Frequency, key and net information)
Authentication with operator and transceiver identification

INTEGRATED LOGISTIC SUPPORT

Comprehensive multi-level Built In Test (BIT)
Integral Electronic Log Record includes: serial number, user defined record, automatic fault log, radio duty cycle
In field software upgrade capability

REMOTE CONTROL

In -built 2 wire remote control/retransmission (up to 4Km)
2 and 3 way re-broadcast capability
Intercom facility over D10 field wire
Extended control and programming from a PC based Windows application

CO-SITE

5W/20W Manpack radio: 5MHz frequency separation; 1,5 metres
20W /50W Vehicle radio: 5MHz frequency separation; 1,5 metres

TRANSMIT

Output Power: (nominal)
Manpack configuration: 100mW, 5W at 12V DC,

100mW, 5W, 20W at 24V DC,
Vehicle/base station configuration: 100mW, 5W, 20W, 50W (with amplifier) at 24V DC
Harmonic Suppression: Better than 50dB below carrier

Spurious Emissions: Better than 60dB below carrier for greater than 25kHz offset

AF Response: Voice 300Hz-3.0kHz

RECIVE

Sensitivity: Better than -115dBm at 10dB SINAD
Spurious Response: Better than 85dB
AF Response: Voice 300Hz-3.0kHz
AF Output Power: 20mW nominal for each socket in to 300 ohms
Squelch: Carrier, 150 Hz tone and 16 kb/s

POWER SUPPLIES

Supply Voltage: 12V or 24V DC nominal
Primary or rechargeable batteries or vehicle supply
Protection Against: Supply polarity reversal
Open /Short circuit RF connection RF input 65V (EMF ) applied Spike/Surge DEF STANDARD 61-05 (Q STAG 307) 24V DC at Remoter Line Terminals

ENVIRONMENTAL

Temperature range: -40'C to +70 C
Environmental Specification: MIL STD 810E
Nuclear Hardened: EMP protected
EMI/EMC: MIL STD 461C

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS


Height: Width: Depth: Weight: Volume:
Transciever: 90 mm 230 mm 205 mm 4.4 kg 4.24 litres
50W Amplifier: 70 mm 230 mm 230 mm 4.2 kg 3.70 litres

08 December 2009

ICOM IC-706MKIIG no longer in production

Finally, the rumours has been dismantled... The well known IC-706MKIIG is no longer in production!

ICOM Australia (cited by Amateur Radio Victoria) said it has checked with Japan and been reassured that the earlier advice received that the popular transceiver has been discontinued is correct.

The reason is that some components used in the IC-706MKIIG are no longer available and the model had to cease production.

ICOM Australia’s authorised agents were told in writing last month that only back orders received before 30 November would be supplied before production stopped. Also now out of production are the IC-T90A, IC-2720H, IC-910H and a few receivers.

The last production day at the ICOM plant in Wakayama Japan for the IC-706MKIIG will be 9th of December 2009. Seems that Santa loose a valuable radio for good fell'as Hams!

Hamsphere users: Get a REAL life!


First tought was that I found a great tool to make QSO's when the band is down!
After reading carefully the disclaimer, I found that:
-I have to pay activation fee;
-I have to pay annual fee;

-I have to share the "band" with non amateurs;

-I have to listen "number stations" on 7015 kHz (wow! cold war again?!???)

And, above all, the IP ham is the most dangerous thing to REAL HAM!
I remember the times when ham was about FREE speach over the air!
So, I strongly advise you TO NOT USE HAMSPHERE!
Instead, buy yourself a DIY kit for a simple receiver and a simple transmitter! There are plenty of them on internet pages!
Buy a book and study!
Or, buy a prepaid mobile phone and start QSl with it!
What the heck is this: to install a VOIP and to pay for some pseudo QSO's?!?
And, to speak about good practices in ham radio!
This is, probably, the biggest humbug in the ham radio (after Miracle Whip, of course!)
C'mon folks! Stay out of this surrogate ham traffic! Get a real radio! Get a real life!

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