[QCWA] Enigma Machine To Be Reactivated After 60 Yrs

[Joseph Fenn]

I did'nt know about that at all.  I do remember something though that
occurred during that time period that many might have forgotten about.
QST magazine was still being distributed at that time, and had a reather
extensive article that dealt with detailed info that came very close
to the mark on the "Chicago" production scheme that eventually ended
with the A-Bomb theory.   Some of those QST's got into delivery system
before the distribution was halted by unknown sources.   I know because
I was one that got my copy and I read with great interest the article
since nothing like that had appeared before or since.    I was also
in the Army Signal Corps in 1943 (I think that was the year) that
the Govt had scouts out in places like Monmouth, and Camp Crowder
actually canvassing for people with electronics background.  I
later figured out after that war that they were canvassing for people
that would or could be used in the "Chicago" program!
            anybody in QCWA rember the above events???
                        Joe/KH6JF/ABM6JF


****************************************************
* Ham KH6JF AARS/MARS ABM6JF QCWA WW2 VET WD RADIO *
* Army MARS State Coordinator for Hawaii           *
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On Mon, 25 Apr 2005, W1EOF wrote:

>
>> From FISTS reflector via OH/PA dx bulletin # 707 ...
>
> SPECIAL EVENT (Enigma Machine To Be Reactivated After 60 Yrs)......
> In September 1939, the radio receivers of all radio amateurs were ordered
> to be confiscated, but many amateurs volunteered to become "Voluntary
> Interceptors" (V.I.'s) in their own homes. These V.I.'s intercepted
> encrypted Enigma messages transmitted in Morse Code which were passed
> to the code breakers at Bletchley Park. Accuracy was crucial in order
> to assist decoding of the message, but many of the intercepted signals
> were weak or fading and atmospheric conditions were often poor with QRM
> from loud local stations. Searching through the bands was very painstaking,
> but it was a task that was carried out with great skill and dedication,
> providing a most valuable service to the Allies. As a tribute to the work
> of the V.I.'s sixty years ago, the Scarborough Special Events Group (SSEG)
> will be on the air as GB2HQ from GCHQ Scarborough over the weekend of
> May 7-8th. A souvenir QSL card showing an Enigma cipher machine and an
> HRO receiver will be issued to commemorate the occasion. GCHQ have provided
> a working Enigma machine for use by the SSEG and Ofcom and have given
> permission for transmission of an enciphered Enigma message to be sent
> in Morse Code on the amateur radio bands for this event only. The group
> will be active on SSB, PSK and CW. The CW station will operate around
> 7015 or 3515 KHz and the Enigma message will be transmitted in Morse
> Code at 1100z on Saturday, May 7th, at a speed of 15 wpm. The message
> will consist of a few five letter groups which will be repeated at 1300
> and 1900z. GCHQ invites all licenced amateurs and listeners to submit a
> copy of this Enigma message and will award a certificate for a 100%
> accurate intercept. A copy of this message should be sent via club call
> G0OOO (Scarborough Special Events Group, 9 Green Island, Irton, Scarborough
> YO12 4RN) and can be enclosed with a QSL card. The cost of the certificate
> is =C2=A33.00 sterling, 5 Euro's, 5 USD, or 6 IRCs. (UK cheques should
> be made out to "SSEG"). All profits will be donated to GCHQ Scarborough
> Charities Fund. Full details will be published on their Web site at:
> http://www.sseg.co.uk
>
> Depending on your location, conditions may not be favorable for reception
> on the day. However, in this respect, listeners will be experiencing the
> same problems faced by the V.I.'s some sixty years ago. FISTS members are
> invited to take part in a practical demonstration of history brought to
> life through amateur radio.
>
> For more information about the Enigma machine, please visit the following
> Web pages:
> http://www.codesandciphers.org.uk/enigma/
> http://www.enigmahistory.org/enigma.html
>
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>