Number stations are shortwave radio stations of uncertain and obscure origin.
In the 1950s, Time magazine reported that number stations first appeared shortly after World War II and used a format that had been used to send weather data during the conflict.
Number stations generally transmit artificially generated voices that read streams of numbers, words, letters (sometimes using a spelling alphabet), melodies, or Morse code. They are in a wide variety of languages, and the voices are generally female, although male or child voices are sometimes used.
Evidence supports the popular hypothesis that the transmissions are used to send messages to spies.
This use has not been publicly acknowledged by any government that may operate a number station, although two QSLs have been received from number stations by shortwave listeners who sent reception reports to said stations, which is the expected behavior of a clandestine station.
An ingenious method uses an encryption system called a “one-time pad” and is impossible to break; when messages are sent via shortwave number stations to the receiving individual who is undercover within another country, the system demonstrates its remarkable strength and capability because it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to locate the final receiving individual and be able to place any observation on their movements or the messages exchanged, and/or received.
Where and how number stations originated is still shrouded in mystery.
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