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The Why Files: Operation Podcast

526: DEEP DIVE: Cryptic Broadcasts | Numbers Stations Mysteries Revealed

The Why Files: Operation Podcast

The Why Files: Operation Podcast

Science, Life Sciences, Fiction, Society & Culture, Documentary, Science Fiction

4.85.9K Ratings

🗓️ 24 January 2024

⏱️ 31 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this intriguing exploration, we uncover the mysterious world of numbers stations. These enigmatic radio broadcasts, dating back to World War One, have transmitted coded messages to spies across the globe. Despite technological advancements, these stations are surprisingly active today. We explore (and listen to) the eerie broadcasts from the Cold War, where peculiar melodies and robotic voices in various languages hinted at clandestine operations. This journey through espionage history and technology promises to be both fascinating and chilling.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Since World War I, number stations have been used to transmit coded messages to spies worldwide.

0:06.0

These stations use shortwave radio, which is tech you might expect to see in a World War II movie.

0:11.0

But even with the advancements in modern day technology,

0:14.4

you may be surprised to learn that these number stations are still used today.

0:18.2

They're actively transmitting messages around the world right now. At the height of the Cold War, shortwave

0:24.1

radio listeners started to notice strange broadcasts. Starting with a

0:28.3

weird melody or tone, these transmissions were followed by the unnerving sound of a woman's robotic voice counting

0:34.7

in German, or the creepy voice of a child reciting letters in English.

0:40.4

These transmissions sound strange to casual listeners, but to the right set of ears they

0:48.0

contain information that could change the course of history.

0:51.3

In fact, number stations have changed the course of history. In fact, number stations have changed the course of history.

0:55.0

Even though we're in the age of satellites, artificial intelligence, broadband

1:06.6

Wi-Fi and cyber warfare, it could be that the old-fashioned radio is the real tool of the

1:12.0

New World Order. If you want to conspire with spies, and

1:15.0

the real tool of the New World Order. If you want to conspire with spies, military

1:15.3

organizations, governments, or the ruling elites, and your goal is to

1:19.0

communicate a plan to oppress the masses, you don't want to leave a digital trail. So to help facilitate your quest

1:25.7

for world domination, you broadcast the encrypted details of your evil plot over shortwave

1:30.9

radio, also known as number stations. You may have heard that

1:34.5

number stations are a relic of the past, but number stations are active and

1:38.6

being used right now. We'll listen to a few of the transmissions in this

1:42.4

podcast.

...

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