[R-390] NON-A Truth Revealed (was Hi)

[Barry Hauser]

OK, OK, my previous post was a bit of a crock.  I only just now got
clearance to reveal the truth.  "Non-A" is in point of fact, the accurate,
official designation for the original "R-390".  An NSA memo, previously
labeled "Top Secret" has just been declassified to the point where I am
permitted to reveal some of its contents.

Back in the late 50's, a encoding/decoding device which I'll refer to as the
Clyde-Bedeiter-Box was developed which went between receiver and teletype
machine.  Initially these were deployed by NSA to decode secret messages
paired up with R-390A's at the receiving end.  However, there was a problem.
The IF module with the mechanical filters rang and caused extra letters to
be inserted in the decoded text.  As it turns out, the stray letters almost
always inserted were "A's".  This caused confusion in the interpretation of
the messages.  Someone had an idea -- try the original R-390 with L/C
filters.  It worked.  At that time, NSA officially designated the original
design as the "Non-A".  The double entendre was entirely intentional.  After
all, the R-390(blank) was effective in removing the extra "A's".  This is
also the reason for the appearance of some modified R-390A's with the non-A
IF deck fitted in.  They did not want to draw too much attention to calling
too many "Non-A's" from the field.  Some hybrids were given an entirely new
number.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to NSA and CIA, the Soviets had replicated the
Clyde-Bedeiter-Box (CBB) and also the R-390A by the very early 60's.
Naturally, they chose to duplicate the later version of the receiver and
could not afford to make up any of the original more expensive design.  When
they intercepted US coded messages they were confused and distracted.  Some
KGBers thought there was something to the pattern of "A's" -- the content of
the real message.  In some cases, they assumed the transmissions came from
the Italian embassy.  (think about it).

This was of crucial importance at several points in cold war history,
particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Hence, it is also a known
fact that the original, officially (though secretly) designated NON-A saved
the world from thermonuclear demise.

Print this email out on rice paper and be sure to chew well before
swallowing, just in case the memo gets reclassified and I disappear.

Barry
(w/Nomex suit, flak jacket, deep in bunker)