[Spooks] Cuban Catches

[mslaten]

Hi Group:

    I noticed that quite a few logs reported are without callsigns, message
preambles or any other comments included in the logs.  Just the time, freq
and somewhat incorrect identification.  Example on the ID would be M8.
There is no Cuban target at this time using the old M8 format.  That was
last used in 1996.  Current formats are M8a and M8c.  By the way, M8c has
not been heard in a few weeks, M8a seems to be the format of choice for the
present.
    The V2, V2a and V2c formats are also not being ID'd correctly.  V2 is
sometimes being used for a V2a broadcast.
    Having the callsigns included in your logs would greatly help in
continuity of monitoring.  Seeing how the messages change from day to day,
and which net is broadcasting on what freqs each day.  Also, by matching
callsigns up with a target the next hour, lets you known that this is the
repeat sked.  This is called traffic analysis.  Sometimes, by charting out
the targets daily, you can predict when and where they may be found in the
future.  Also, you can find out which time and freq the second broadcast is.
For the V2a and M8a targets, they broadcast two hours in a row.  The second
hour is just a repeat of the first hour.
    The V2 and V2c targets are different than the V2a and M8a targets.
Message format and callsign formats are different.  V2c pauses after every
10th group in the message.  V2 does not pause and it also sents a message
number and group count after the intial callup.
    KD7JYK, what day, time and freq did you find the V2a which was under the
CODAR?
    SEISM, do you have any more information on the V2a you found on 13436m?
Some of the V2a's have been known to have a 2nd harmonic freq in the higher
bands.  If that is the case, the 1st harmonic would be located at 6718m.
You might check that out next time and see if you hear him on both freqs.
    Thanks for the logs you send in, and keep sending them.  Any more
information per log will be appreciated.
    If anyone has any questions about the Cuban numbers or any morse-related
numbers stations, feel free to ask.  I will try to answer your questions.
Especially morse questions.
    Take care all, happy monitoring!

73's
Mark