[Spooks] Strange cow signal on 7.035 MHz

[Dr Jim Kennedy]

I note that the "beacon" sent a string of 7 zeroes, followed by an
identifier "QA1." (CW beacon blowing in here on 7.035 MHz.
Seven zeros followed by QA1 and another seven zeros) I'm in Northern NJ near NEW York City.

If so, it sounds more like a crypto signal ("numbers station").  It's
origin might be military, paramilitary? Or.....Spooks.

In which case, the 7 zeroes and "QA1" are not a "beacon," but a channel
marker, sent repeatedly so that the intended recipient (probably "QA1"), could find the signal, and prepare to copy whatever message.

Over the past several decades, I've logged signals like this, usually
outside the ham bands, but not always.  Sometimes, they "hide in plain sight" on ham bands, too.

It will be even more interesting to monitor the frequency and see if there
are any more such transmissions.

Dr. Jim Kennedy   K2PHD
RACES & ARES | SKCC-NAQCC-FISTS-OOTC
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