[Spooks] Re: CBS Show

[mslaten]

Hi List:

    On Sat, 21 May 2005, Zack wrote on the Enigma Board:

"Paul, what are you looking for in terms of quality? . . . . ."

    To me, a good quality log for the "Numbers" groups should not consist of
just the Time, Frequency and a generic Enigma designation like a quite a few
logs that are posted.
    A quality log should consist of:
Time    (in UTC)

Frequency    (ex: 8937 format - NOT 8.937)

Enigma Designator    (ex: V2a, V2c, M8a, M8c, M13, M13a, M13b, E10, etc.)
(Note that all these designators are explained in the Numbers Profiles if
people would just take the time to look!)

Callsigns      V2a/M8a    -    13243 54657 68790
                    V2c    -    123 90
                    M8c    -    Same callup as M8a but procedural
                                   diffferences such as K for BT, OE
                                    for AR
    Plus other variations on other Enigma networks.  To me, this is
important to show exactly which variation of Numbers station you are
monitoring.  This will ensure a reliable database and one that can be
properly searched by others in the quest for new stations and patterns being
used by stations as far as callsigns, schedules and other characteristics
that may be gleaned from studying former skeds.

Comments    Any comments or monitor observations that may be of use to other
monitors.

    I have tried to get this across to members on the Spooks board recently,
but they just do not seem to have the inclination to include these facts.
Some of the logs just do not give much useful information at all.
    Also, if the station is a morse station, they do not give the callsigns.
I have tried to encourage them to learn the ten morse numbers, but I guess
some think it is too daunting of a task.  Honestly, you can learn them in a
couple of hours (just the ten numbers) and if it is the Cuban M8a/M8c
network it is ten letters (ANDUWRIGMT which are the cut number equivalent to
1234567890).  At the rate most Numbers stations call, the speed is slow, so
should be easy to copy.  Questions on any other morse letters or numbers or
procedural signs can be asked on line, and I or any other morse monitor
would be glad to help.

    Anyway, that is my thoughts on a quality log.  Any other contributions
would be appreciated.

73's All
Mark