Shortwave frequencies have the widest propagation, since they are refracted by the ionosphere (Skywave propagation) , so they can travel around the world. In addition shortwave radio emissions are hard to track because of the encryption system they use.
Shortwaves have been widely used to send anonymous transmissions and the usage of them, haven't necessarily decreased after the end of the cold war, as many Numbers Stations (the most common method to establish one way communication) are busy and new ones are still being launched.
Akin Fernandez (head of Irdial Disc label and also a recording artist who publishes under the Aqua Regia moniker) from London, was attracted by shortwave radio by the early 90's while he managed to listen some suspicious and very strange messages, most of then numerical. In 1997 Akin released a compilation of his many shortwave radio listening sessions, on the 4 CD compilation The Conet Project, who almost brought his label to bankrupcy.
Anyway The Conet Project: Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations became a cult classic, a collection piece, with almost 5 hours of shortwave transmissions, a total delight for those fans of audio who are always looking for really unique and rare material. Most of the 5 hours is spoken voice reciting stuff that varies from numbers and letter repetition to music, all of them lovely distorted.
The Conet Project: Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations is a record that I could hear completely, the nature of the noise generated is beautiful, and turns this simple radio emissions into a fascinating sonic experience that puts our mind elsewhere in a timeless spot.
Really advice tho get the CD's or simply download The Conet Project from archive.org. |
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