[MarinTeams] Decode the Coastal Communications Station KPH's encrypted message, sent over shortwave.

Bill wbs at hbco2.com
Sun Jul 17 01:54:55 EDT 2022


Background: 
The MHRS (Maritime Historical Radio Society) in cooperation with the Cipher
History Museum will send a coded message in 5-letter groups in Morse code
via the facilities of coast station KPH on Saturday July 23, 2022. The
message will be encrypted using the famous Enigma code machine.  Note the
frequencies, they are not in the Amateur radio spectrum.  Encrypted messages
are not allowed in Amateur Radio.  KPH is a Maritime Coastal Communications
museum station.

All KPH listeners (and including HWA) are invited to try their hand at
receiving and decrypting the message. Certificates will be awarded for proof
of successful decode, first to decode and use of original hardware.

Mislaid your Enigma code machine? In the military you'd have some explaining
to do, soldier. But for the KPH Crypto Event, no problem.  The 'Enigma
Simulator' (email for info) will provide a link to an easy-to-use Enigma
simulator.

Can't copy CW?  You can find CW decoder software on the Internet.  You might
also try copying the RTTY message using FLDigi (free software).  This might
be just the event to inspire you to learn Morse code!

Enigma
The Enigma was the Germans' most sophisticated coding machine for securely
transmitting command and control messages via radio communications in WWII.
It was considered so secure that it was used to encipher the most top-secret
of messages.
The arrangement of Enigma's rotors and plugboard connections provided a
unique series of letter substitutions which changed with each keystroke. The
daily rotor order and the ring and plugboard settings to be used were
specified in a codebook distributed monthly to all users of a network.  

For additional information on the Enigma please look up Ralph Simpsons'
Cipher Museum (again, see 'More Information' below).

Crypto broadcast date, time and formats.
The crypto broadcast will commence at 2000Z (1300 Pacific) on 23 July on all
KPH CW frequencies. The broadcast will consist of a 'callup' (in plain text)
announcing the broadcast, followed by the cipher message. The callup and
cipher messages will be sent at 15 WPM. The cipher message will be sent in 5
letter groups and the message will be sent twice to ensure proper reception.
The usual KPH channel marker or 'wheel' running at 20 WPM will precede the
announcement for the crypto broadcast to give listeners a chance to tune to
the strongest signal in their area.

The KPH CW frequencies are (in kc):
426 (after an announcement on 500)
4247.0
6477.5
8642.0
12808.5
17016.8
22477.5

Upon completion of the CW transmissions, the broadcast will be repeated on
all KPH RTTY frequencies.
The RTTY transmission will be 170cps shift Baudot, 45 baud.
The KPH RTTY frequencies are (in kc):
6324.5
8427.0 
12585.5

Certificates
Upon proof of successful decode, the following certificates will be awarded:
- First to decode the Enigma message
- Successful decode using *original* hardware (i.e., an actual Enigma
machine)
- All successful decodes of the message
To apply for a certificate, send the decoded message to info at radiomarine.org
with the subject line 'decoded Enigma message'. The First to Decode award
will be based on the timestamp of the first email demonstrating a successful
decode. For the Enigma Original Hardware certificate, send the decoded
message *plus* a photo of your Enigma machine showing the daily key setting.
Printed certificates will be mailed for 'First-to-Decode and 'Original
Hardware' awards. Certificates for 'Successful Decode' will be emailed in
digital form suitable for printing at home.

More Information
To obtain the address to download the Enigma simulator (or use one online),
obtain code settings and keyboard settings with instructions, or more
information or questions about the KPH cipher broadcast send email to
info at radiomarine.org with the subject line: Crypto Broadcast.



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