[Spooks] Sam Signal Strength

[Dave Taylor]

Good Speculation Mark!


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From: spooks-bounces at mailman.qth.net =
[mailto:spooks-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Mark Taylor
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 2:29 AM
To: Spooks
Subject: Re: [Spooks] Sam Signal Strength

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Here's my observations about Sam in the past 24 hours:

Frequency        3700          4300           6500         10500
Time
2/12/05  0230     S4            S2             S5            None
         0842     S4            None           None          None
         1535     None          None           None           S4
         2300     None          None           S1 (Under      S3
                                                 hams)
2/13/05  0240     S5             S2            None          None
         1310     S3             S3            None          None
         1430     None          None           S5             S3

All these observations were using a ICOM R-75 with a Eavesdropper C =
antenna
run North to South.  I've also heard Sam on the Satellit 800 with a 43 =
meter
dipole, and a DX 398 with a 20' Radio Shack reel antenna.

Incidentally, I have a EWE oriented at 160 degrees that I never can get =
Sam
on, even when audible on other antennas.  That leads me to believe he =
isn't
in the Southeast US, or farther a field.  ... So much for a Cuban =
connection
:-)

As to the speculation about Sam's purpose: I don't broadcast, so I =
didn't
realize that DSB transmitters are rare.

I am however old enough to have a young adult son who has truly =
impressive
knowledge of an arcane subject (unfortunately not radio) and a good =
sense of
humor.  Looking at Mike and his friends, I still wonder about someone(s)
with really good radio knowledge (somewhat arcane) and a good sense of
humor.  A stellar prank would be to do a broadcast that: 1) Jumps
frequencies (to use computer control knowledge) 2) uses an artificial =
wave
form that looks like a data burst (to throw folks off), 3) DSB (because =
it
is unusual), 4) loop a cartoon character (because it's funny), 5) runs
automatically from a remote location (to not get caught), and 6) appeals =
to
a small but enthusiastic group of people (so you get noticed and stay
anonymous at the same time). WWB frequencies might have been taking it =
too
far (that's interfering and might get the person caught by the FCC), so =
he /
she / they went back to other frequencies.

Doing something funny that is basically harmless, anonymous and =
noticeable
while being very clever are the hallmarks of a prank in my book.  A
successful prank also means you don't get caught.  Sam's timing has also
appeared when college students may not have a lot to do.  On my scale of
pranks it would rank a "10" on a 1 - 10 scale - if a prank.  I also =
doubt "a
drunk ham", but still wonder about a smart and underemployed person(s) =
with
impressive radio and computer knowledge.  Could be some government plot, =
but
I'm still not convinced.  Of course, all speculation on my part.

Mark T.

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