radio for hunting numbers stations

[gearboy666]

ive become interested in hunting down numbers stations that play over the shortwave frequencies. ive managed to capture a few, like the backwards music station, and a spanish lady speaking numbers through internet controlled radios. what id like to do is by a cheap receiver (anywhere from 20-50 dollars) that will be able to pick up the necessary bands and modes. i know that numbers stations are on the fringes of the bands and im not sure what kind of radio to get because of this. one i have looked at is the grundig G8 traveller 2. any suggestions and help would be appreciated.

 

[WisconsinRailfan]

For that price, I like my Kaito 1103 - all I have is a long wire hooked up to it, I am able to pick up a few number stations. However, it does not compare to my R75 - but I paid $500 for the radio. The Kaito 1103, was recommended to me by many shortwave listeners and hams. I tried a few others, and I liked the KA1103 the best, that is just my opinion. Good luck in your hunt, there are some great websites out there including this one Spy Numbers Stations Shortwave Radio - click on the database link, and share your findings.

 

[gearboy666]

thanks man, that really helps a bunch. since im tight on money it looks like ill have to continue using internet controlled recievers for my endevors. but i really like hunting them. is there at all a subforum on these boards for number stations specifically? i have some basic questions that google hasnt been to straight forward about answering.

 

[ka3jjz]

That's because there's nothing straightforward about numbers stations - although it's been a generally accepted axiom that they are stations sending messages to agents using one time pads, no one has been able (at least in the public forum) to decode the messages - they remain a mystery to this day.

Our wiki has several links on the subject - however the one site that everyone mentions is the Numbers and Oddities website -

Pirates and Clandestines - The RadioReference Wiki

and don't let the prologue on the page fool you. In some countries, folks literally risk death to get messages out in this manner.

73 Mike