IC DQ8638 Now Incorporating gsra i Magazine The Official Publication of the Scanner Association of North America Secret Wartime Broadcast Codes` Understanding "Tactical" Military Callsigns The Computer -Shortwave Connection Radio's Historic Past Military Computer Security, and more! www.americanradiohistory.com ntroducing scanners from the name that ::5 I611.0?5 Celer -re needs no introduction. Cobra. You've seen it on state-of-the-art CB radios, radar detectors, corded and cordless telephones and answering systems. And now, Cobra excellence in personal communications systems comes to scanners. With not just one model. But four different units, all equipped with the latest in user-friendly features including crystal -free, multi -band electronic digital tuning. No matter which model you select, the top -of -the -line hand-held SR -12 with 16 programmable channels or the 10 -channel SR -10; Cobra's premium desk -top SR -925 with 16 channels or the SR-900-you'll be getting the very same Cobra quality that comes from 25 years in consumer electronics. Whether it's police action, a three alarm fire, the weather, airport opera- tions, etc., Cobra scanners bring you exciting, live coverage. Contact your Cobra dealer or call us at 1 -800 -COBRA 22 for the Cobra dealer nearest you. And get all the scoop C3) much too long to ("bre scan here. DYNASCAN CIRCLE 12 ON READER SERVICE CORPORATION CARD Cobra Consumer Electronics Group, 6500 W. Cortland. Chicago. IL 60635 www.americanradiohistory.com 11.1.1111111 our 33rd year Shortwave Savers RECEIVERS SWL BOOKS ANTENNAS Read What Rainer Lichte Says About the JRC/NRD-525 DATONG /RC AD -270 Active 9 /4' Indoor "Impressively manifests itself as the No. 1 receiver Antenna $114.50(-f $3) NRD 525 $1179.00 (+$9) outside the commercial/military bracket... partially AD -370 Active Outdoor Antenna, listed as VHF/UHF Convtr 359.00 matches the reception quality offered by those very (+$3) "best" in famous handbook 134.50 (+ $4.50) RTTY Demod 119.00 (+$3) costly units ... Way ahead of the competition because this receiver delivers outstanding results in all modes of SRB2 Automatic Woodpecker Blanker, Computer interface 99.00 (+$3) operation ... absolutely marvelous modular construction removes Russian radar $169.95 (+$2.50) Headphones 69.00 (+$2) principle... can cope with a variety of demands FL -3 Automatic Audio Filter, digs out weak Speaker 49.00 (+ $4.50) including complete computerized control ... this radio is a BEST BUY." sigs, removes interference, $229.95 (+ $4) Filters: .3, .5, 1 kHz $119 ea. Read the entire 525 review by Lichte written exclusively for GILFER and available FREE with Lichte's epic book "Radio Receiver- Chance or Choice," described below. Earlier purchasers of the book may obtain the 525 review from GILFER for $3 postpaid. DRESSLER THE ARA 500 Active VHF/UHF Scanner Antenna, ICOM RECEIVER BOOK 50-650 MHz Vertical, $169.95 (+ $4) ARA HF R71A Call for price THEY DON'T 30 Active Indoor/Outdoor Antenna, FET amp, $159.95 (+ $4) Voice Syn 49.95 (+ $2) WANT YOU Hi Stability Xtal 63.00 (+ $2) TO READ. 500 Hz CNN filter 85.00 (+ $2) Infrared Remote 67.00 $2) (+ "Radio Receiver -Chance or Choice" by Rainer Lichte. Speaker 61.00 (+$4.50) Published by GILFER, this is the book to read when SSB filter 158.95 you want to know about the receiver you have and the Gilfer Mods: Burn -in 25.00 receiver you want to buy. Lichte says it straight, warts and all, about all the famous brands of receivers, making EAVESDROPPER II $66.95 (+$3) + Filter change 80.00 his own tests on the same set of instruments for direct 45' Dipole made the right way according to R7000 Scanner 949.00 ( + $9) comparability. This famous radio engineer has the a famous handbook. Center -fed trapped engineering background to do the job right, the writing dipole w. coax ability to communicate clearly, and the integrity to be terminal. Best sensitivity for objective on all points. Order this 256p. book now and SWL bands. get the straight stuff on 75 receivers plus the FREE NRD 525 review. $18.50 INf Radio Hacker's Code THaVIR11t.o RADIO NACCfRS Book" Computer do-it-your- tubi tuo Is1[mS self book for SWL; world of codes and ciphers; how to pro - ¡tram etc. 240pp. $13.95 YAESU "The World is Yours." Per- FRG -8800 $519.00 (+ $9) fect intro to SWL, what it's all about, easy to understand VHF Convtr 99.00 (+$3) layman's guide, great gift. ISOTRON "60" $75.95 (+$5) Active Ant 45.00 (+$3) $2.95 60M omnidirectional antenna, no radial Antenna Tuner 58.00 (+$3) Confidential Frequency grounds needed; just 4' tall; requires 50 Speaker 60.00 (+$6) List" 6th ed., 2nd printing. ohm coax; performs like full half -wave interface 68.95 (+$3) Compiled by O.P. Ferrell of bands Computer dipole. Unassembled. Mods: Burn in 25.00 GILFER. Best list of secret Gilfer stations. $15.95 + Filter change 80.00 "Tropical Bands Survey." FRG -9600 Scanner 499.00 (+$9) Latest ed. from Danish SW Clubs Intl. lists brcst. sta- tions, 211045900 kHz, with scheds, locations etc. $4.50 "Radio Beacon Hand- book." 252p. listing of over SON Y 9000 mw and Iw radio bea- cons 11541900 kHz); inc. call 2010 Call for price signs, freq., etc. $14.95 LONG RANGER $59.95 (+$3) 2002 215.95 (+ $4) "Medium Wave (IRCA) Broadbanded folded dipole, 9.5-20 MHz, 4910 99.95 (+ $3) Almanac." Insiders book for 540-1600KC DX; talk pro- with balun. AN -1 Ant 75.95(+$4) grams, music, religious, INVERT GILFER Portable Radio Cases football, baseball, $9.00 $19.95 (+$3) Deduct $10 when ordered with portable Top quality long wire antenna, 50' long with 75' lead-in, 40' nylon Small: fits Sony 2002 or 4910 reg. $29.95( + $2.50) VISA MasterCard rope, and Large: fits Sony 2010 .... reg. $32.95 (+ $2.50) insulators. 2 lb. Send #10 SASE for flyer Add $2 for 1st book, $3 for 2 or more Prices subject to change w/o notice. GILFER SHORTWAVE 52 Park Ave. Park Ridge, NJ 07656 Ph 201/391-7887 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1986 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 1 www.americanradiohistory.com Now Incorporating EDITORIAL STAFF Tom Kneitel, K2AES/ZF2JO POPIJLAR ,liiii Magazine Editor Elisa Nudelman Associate Editor COMMUNICATIONS CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Gerry L. Dexter NOVEMBER 1986 VOL. 5, NO.3 Shortwave Broadcast Robert Margolis RTTY Monitoring JD PVT JOHN R DAV, JD XY37 DE FT1VN Gordon West, WB6NOA XY37 DE ¿HAS Survivalist Communications XY37 DE C1B6 Don Schimmel JD XY37 DE FT IV Utility Communications JD ¿HA5 DE FT IV Teach FT1W DE ¿HA5 Edward ¿HA5 DE FT IV Alternative Radio FT 1 W f>E 21tA5 Harold A. Ort, Jr. ¿HA5 DE FT IV Military Consultant JD FT1W DE ¿HA5 Janice Lee !flI! JD C1B6 DE ¿HAS Radar Detectors . ' 'lpreelr-.'//. tt, 14 22 28 Chuck Gysi, N2DUP FEATURES Scanners Julian Macassey, N6ARE //Scanning Today 8 Telephone Accessories The news of the month to keep you informed. by Robert A. Hanson Mark J. Manucy, W3GMG 10 AM / FM Broadcasts Secret Wartime Broadcast Codeb Ed Noll In order to get news past censors, American WWII correspondents devised Antennas elaborate word games. by Anson MacFarland, KVA4EX BUSINESS STAFF Tactical IDs and Military Authentication 14 Richard A. Ross, K2MGA Some thoughts about these two communications puzzlers. Publisher by Harry Caul, KIL9XL Jim Gray, W1XU Advertising Manager Military Computer Security 19 Dorothy Kehrwieder Protecting sensitive information in a vulnerable storage system. General Manager by Lola Hobbs, AISD Office of Public Affairs Frank V. Fuzia Service Award 20 Controller MM/Public Arlene Caggiano Fireman saves five from auto fire. Accounting ESE» Photo Contest Winners 20 Cheryl Chomicki Every month someone wins ... will it be you next month? Send a photo! Subscriber Services The Federal Emergency PRODUCTION STAFF Monitoring Elizabeth Ryan Management Agency 22 Art Director Ready for action, FEMA maintains one of the largest federal agency com- Barbara Scully munications networks! by Tom Kneitel, K2AES, Editor Artist 28 Dorothy Kehrwieder Radio In Days Long Past Production Manager A look at the development of a miracle. by Alice Brannigan Pat Le Blanc AM DXing Across The Ponds 32 Florence V. Martin Patience and perseverence help you bridge the oceans. by Mark Manucy Phototypographers Hal Keith The Computer -Shortwave Connection 36 Technical Illustrator Weigand Decoding international communications. by Dr. Mark Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI Scanning The New Michigan State Police 55 Contributing Photographer Here's the revised MSP communications system, in detail! Offices. 76 North Broadway, Hicksville. NY 11801. Tele- by Rick Maslau, KNY2GL phone 516 681-2922. Popular Communications (ISSN 0733-33151 is published monthly by Popular Communica- This month's cover: Doug Sharp operating a general coverage 1-30 MHz, 1000 watt transceiver used at the Emergency Manage- tions, Inc. Corporate officers: Richard A. Ross, Pres.: ment Communications office for New York State in Poughkeepsie. NY. Photo by Larry Muluehill, WB2ZP1. Thomas S. Kneitel. Vice Pres. : Alan M. Dorhoffer. Secre- tary. Second class postage paid at Hicksville, NY and addi- tional offices. Subscription prices. Domestic-one year DEPARTMENTS $16.00. two years $29 00. three years $42.00. Canada/ Mexico-one year $20.00. two years $37.00, three years Beaming In 4 Listening Post 56 $54.00. Foreign-one year $22.00. two years $41.00. RTTY 60 three years $60.00. Foreign Air Mail-one year $75.00, two Mailbag 6 years $147.00, three years $219.00. Entire contents copy- Books You'll Like 39 Better Signals 62 right 01986 by Popular Communications. Inc. Popular 40 Radar Reflections 64 Communications assumes no responsibility for unsolicited Pirate's Den manuscripts.