Comments by "Mike Black" (@RevMikeBlack) on "Ringway Manchester" channel.

  1. I remember the Russian Woodpecker well. I think it's one of the most interesting man-made structures in the world. One hundred megawatts is a huge amount of transmission power. My theory is that the antennas were built near Chernobyl to satisfy their massive power requirements.
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  2. I am a South Carolina native, working on my seventh decade of life. I'm also an active, mainstream Christian. This guy is by far not our only deceased religious broadcaster. A radio evangelist in our northeastern city of Greenville has been dead for over fifty years, yet his family keeps him on shortwave and they continue to solicit donations. I hear him regularly. Also, you can still hear South Carolina native Reverend Ike selling his "prosperity packages," even though he has been gone thirty years. Yes, the small state of South Carolina is big on the religious airwaves!
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  3. I'm sorry that young shortwave listeners (if there are any) don't have the listening opportunities that my generation did during the hottest part of the Cold War. Soviet sphere propaganda and spy number transmissions were a constant source of listening enjoyment. Practically any radio would do, too. I used a tube driven Zenith Transoceanic. It was great!
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  4. I would be interested in a video about civilian enthusiasts' attempts to decode number stations. I have seen online groups who publish daily LISTSERVs of the previous night's transmissions, then try to solve them like puzzles... without using one time pads. I don't know how successful they are, but it's interesting to watch them try.
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  5. Again, your drone work is excellent. The shot of the plane flying by the antenna is most impressive! Thanks.
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  6. Thirty years ago I visited friends in Annapolis, Maryland USA to set up a big hi-fi audio system and especially to go fishing. Annapolis is home to the US Naval Academy and many naval operations. My friends, all native to the area, gave me a driving tour of the city. I saw antennas like I've never seen before or since. The strangest antenna system, so they told me, was for communicating with submarines. After seeing all the antennas that day, it occurred to me that it must take a huge amount of electricity to keep all that equipment running.
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  7. Another great episode! I'm not surprised the French number station had organizational problems. If I'm not mistaken, the director of operations was a young French intelligence officer named Clouseau, who later became Chief Inspector of the Paris police detectives. Witnesses say he wasn't very bright.
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  8. This is a good general introduction to number stations. New shortwave listeners will be amazed that they can find number stations using an inexpensive pocket radio they may already own. Thanks!
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  9. My wife is a prosecutor for the state in which we live in the USA. She freaks out every time I find and record a number station, like some government agency will be offended that I'm using my $40 shortwave pocket radio to bring down their empire. Explanations are useless.
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  10. I think you did a great job clarifying some of the common misunderstandings about the Woodpecker receiving antenna. Too bad we don't have detailed imagery of the transmitter, but much of that info may still be classified in one way or another. I've always wanted to visit the exclusion zone and see the big antenna, as well as Chernobyl itself. I think the antenna is amazing. Sadly, it looks like I may never get an opportunity due to regional instability.
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  11. The WMYB radio station you're showing was in my hometown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA. We were and still are a popular seaside resort. At the time of this photo, we had a population of maybe 4,000 people. WMYB consisted of two announcers and an engineer who also served on air. They were a classic, all purpose local station playing popular AM songs with lots of local news and programming... something for everyone! Eventually the station was overwhelmed by the mega FM outfits and had to shut down and was razed. A very respected Orthodox Jewish school sits there now. However, there are many of us local seniors who remember our beloved WMYB. Thanks for reviving a great memory!
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  12. Thank you for your vigilance! I live in coastal South Carolina about 760 miles north of Havana. During the Cold War I could receive crystal clear "transmitter next door" quality transmissions of Radio Havana and Radio Moscow both day and night. HM01 was solid as well. That was great for me because the Brezhnev and Castro governments always produced world class communist shortwave propaganda. It was always entertaining and technically excellent. All that ended with the implosion of the Soviet Union. The money stopped flowing and the broadcast quality went down quickly. The Radio Havana English language broadcast that used to be so clear on even a pocket radio now is barely audible at night. HM01 is still there, but not as strong as I remember. It takes a lot of money to operate and maintain these broadcast locations and Cuba simply doesn't have it right now.
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  13. There are two conservative talk format FM radio stations where I live in the USA. The dominant of the two stations, operated by humans all day, runs flawlessly 24/7 and pulls in impressive advertising revenues. The other is primarily robotic and often goes haywire at night and on the weekends. Sometimes it goes dark and stays off for hours. Sometimes it plays two adverts or programs simultaneously, which is incredibly hard to tolerate more than a few seconds. I know one thing: I'd rather be the sales manager for the first station than the second.
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  14. Fascinating story. I have known a few spooks over the years. Most of them act like normal people. Sometimes they're a little TOO normal, like they've practiced being that way.
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  15. Probably bored. Most messages are something like, "Don't forget that Friday is Igor's birthday."
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  16. I was in college during the mid 1970s CB radio craze in America. For about a year, EVERYBODY had a CB radio in their car. It was a great time to be alive... and we had only 21 channels back then, too.
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  17. I've really enjoyed this circular listening station series. I'm also amazed that I knew nothing about this, even though I've been an avid radio listener for six decades. I was born in the 1950s and grew up in Cold War America, five miles from a US Air Force Base. I knew plenty of guys in the military, both officers and enlisted personnel, who had been to war or had worked in intelligence of some kind. In discussions about communications, these antennas were never mentioned. I think one big reason may be that the people chosen to do those jobs are very loyal to their oaths of secrecy until death.
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  18. Thanks again for more great number station info. Can't get enough! I would add that I've really enjoyed the "substitute" antenna drone videos. Some of the footage is quite impressive. As I don't like being in high places, I find the views to be very interesting... something I'll never see in person. Since the number stations typically broadcast from clandestine locations anyway, it's nice to watch "antenna candy" while listening to the spooks.
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  19. I never bought into the dead hand theory. Nobody's that crazy, not even the Soviets. I always assumed The Buzzer was some sort of "reference tone." The Soviet RADIO magazine graphics are really cool. I hope you'll still share your own antenna images. Thanks.
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  20. I remember listening on my Transoceanic tube powered shortwave radio when I was a child. I thought it was the sound of helicopter radio transmissions from our soldiers in Vietnam. It's amazing what children can imagine.
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  21. Incompetent? HMO1 is my favorite! I live on the American east coast. You can pick it up on a pocket radio. If you're a SDR user, the best reception is on a receiver in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I find it interesting that it's easier to receive HMO1 in the northeast USA than it in south Florida, which is only 100 miles from Havana.
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  22. Very interesting. Where I live in the USA, the police channels are encrypted, but the fire channels are not. It's fairly easy to access some fire channels through Internet scanner sites. If I hear a lot of sirens in the distance, I'll click the link and find out what's happening. I live in a large seaside resort community, so fire/rescue can be very entertaining during the summer, as drunk people tend to exercise poor judgement.
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  23. I've always thought the Lockheed Constellation was one of the best looking propeller driven airplanes ever made. To me, its lines look more like Antonov than an American make. It's interesting that it was chosen as a transmitter aircraft. Thanks for the info!
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  24. It sounds like you were being played by one person who decided to have some fun at your expense. By the way, Sir Alec Guinness is the real George Smiley. Gary Oldman did well, but Guinness made you feel the Cold War malaise that was Britain during that era. Thanks!
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  25. The close up drone footage of the windmill hub was most impressive. Thanks for sharing!
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  26. Beautiful drone work on this one. We have a similar situation where I live in the USA. The railroad is "officially" open, but I haven't actually seen a train on it for over a decade. The tracks are rusted and covered with weeds. Oddly, there IS a locomotive sitting on a track, but there is no additional track on either end, so it's a train with literally nowhere to go.
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  27. I've seen YouTube videos of ham operators tapping into the antenna. Although I'm not a ham myself, I've heard that it's a thrill to transmit to your radio buddies from one of the baddest antennas on the planet.
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  28. Backwards smoke at 5:40? Must be a SUPER secret police tetra thingy.
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  29. Too expensive. Not a budget setup.
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  30. Great video! Id be interested in learning how radio is being used right now in the Ukraine and Israel conflicts. The new buzzers story was interesting, but we need more!
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  31. Although I understand why licensing of radios and television sets was implemented in the UK, the whole idea of pay radio sounds strange to those of use who grew up in America. The rule of thumb here is that if it's coming through your airspace, then you're free to listen... unless, of course, you're using equipment designed to illicitly decode secure government, military or financial communications. You can get in a lot of trouble for doing that and rightfully so.
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  32. You can tell it's the French number station because every transmission begins with the words "We surrender!"
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  33.  @MrZlocktar  Excellent analysis. Thanks!
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  34. I'm in coastal South Carolina. I haven't found any pirate stations yet in that range, but I'll start looking.
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  35. I'm glad to see that the Russians still have the same "pride of place" that they did during the Soviet era. Nothing says "welcome to our community" quite as well as a stripped, abandoned car.
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  36. Great job. That intro was most impressive. Very artistic, creative and fun. One question: Do your eyes always glow in the dark or was that done exclusively for this episode? 🤣🤣🤣
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  37. I live in "hurricane alley" in the southeast USA. I've worked on several faith-based disaster recovery teams after hurricanes or tornadoes knocked out all communications. In every situation, the ham radio guys just showed up with their gear and set up emergency voice and data networks. Nobody had to tell them to do it. They live "on standby."
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  38. It happens. They're not making hamsters as good as when I was young.
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  39. Revealing episode. I never knew about this. Thanks. Although not as architecturally magnificent as the Duga receiver, this antenna appears to be equally large and sophisticated, with the difference being that HAARP is configured horizontally instead of vertically. What an interesting array.
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  40. Another good video. Spy radio is always interesting. Inspired by your great flight videos, I bought a DJI Mini 3 Pro this week. I already know the first antenna I want to circumnavigate. Can't wait!
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  41. I don't know about Britain... but in the USA, signed non-disclosure agreements are worth less than the paper they're printed on.
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  42. More number stations? Can't get enough. Thanks!
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  43. I'm glad we have a secured trunk system in the USA. I was a police chaplain for nine years before the system was implemented. The bad guys would monitor our radio traffic, then create diversions by phoning in false reports that would trick dispatchers into sending us on fake calls. In one situation , an officer and I almost got killed in an accident due to such a call. They can't do that with a trunk system.
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  44. After all, who doesn't love a little Spy vs. Spy?
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  45. I wonder how much electricity is used to power the transmitters under those antennas? It must be a huge amount.
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  46. I'm sure these nations just LOVE it when you take pictures of their embassies. 😮
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  47. I've really enjoyed this series. I'd like to look up a few on Google Earth. What would be the best search keywords?
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  48.  @ThermoMan  It was illegal to listen to shortwave in the USA during WWII out of concern that Americans might be swayed by Axis propaganda. However, nobody turned in their pre-1942 consoles, many of which had shortwave bands. I've discussed this with radio mentors who lived through the war, most of whom listened to Lord Haw Haw and Axis Annie for laughs and nothing more.
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  49. That's the first thing I thought. Israel is gearing up in a big way.
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  50. Pray tell, how did you convince the king to narrate this episode? I thought he was busy with the coronation. 😂
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  51. Malamute Mushers? There's a phrase you don't hear very often. 😂
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  52.  @fu3kMuhammad  Me too!
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  53. This series about circular listening posts has been excellent. I thought I knew a lot about radio, but I never knew about these. Thanks for being a good teacher!
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  54. I really miss interval tones. Back in the day they were everywhere, especially during the Cold War.
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  55. I have a few DPRK English language broadcasts in my collection, but I haven't heard a new one in a long time. They're getting slack with their press releases as well. Too bad, because they had some of the best propaganda since the Soviet Union. Nobody calls me a capitalist American running dog anymore. It makes me miss the good old cold war days.
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  56.  @mattpierre891  Thanks for the update!
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  57. I miss Cold War shortwave radio. It was amazing what you could hear.
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  58. I've never been to North Korea, although my dad was in the Korean war. He has nothing positive to say about the communist government there. The feeling I get from watching video about the DPRK is that it might as well be on another planet. I can only imagine what it is like to live under subjugation and in fear every moment of your life.
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  59. Hustler? It's definitely a poor choice for a brand name.
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  60.  @RingwayManchester  I've heard about your type. 😁
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  61. Dr. May's doctorate is in the movement of interstellar dust. Radio telescopes were used. However, the specific testing devices were home made, like Dr. May's Red Special guitar.
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  62. As terrible as it sounds, I miss the Cold War in some ways. Shortwave radio was definitely more fun and (somehow) things felt safer than they do now.
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  63. This is probably not the case, but the "stepping" sound is very much similar to that of a pulsar neutron star.
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  64. While watching, it occurred to me that these massive antennas must contain tons of steel, thus substantial recycling value. I would hope that someone took advantage of this. If nothing else, it would provide money and materiel to build new and better antennas.
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  65. I would buy one, but the zoom indicator in the center of the image is a deal-breaker. I would want the binoculars for doing nighttime art photography. The zoom indicator ruins the photos. Why would the makers design it that way???
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  66. Another great episode! You KNOW we'll watch if you put the words "Russia" and "radar" in the headline, don't you? 😁
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  67. Just ordered a Baofeng UV-5R for $25. I'm a space enthusiast and I want to use it when watching International Space Station flybys. I don't have a ham license, so I won't be transmitting, but it will be fun to hear the ISS repeater in action. Granted, that's a very narrow use of the radio, but the low price is hard to ignore.
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  68. That's one of the most frightening aviation recordings I've ever heard. However, all those hours in the simulator really paid off here. Even though the pilot was seriously distressed, his training kicked in and got him home safely. I can only imagine how distressed the air traffic controllers were as well. Will the entire recording be made available, too? Thanks for sharing.
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  69. I've never heard of these circular antennas before. What a fascinating design. When I first saw the photos, I thought "Duga UK" or the "British-American Woodpecker." From a distance, these antennas bear a strong resemblance to everybody's favorite huge antenna in Ukraine.
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  70. Another great episode. Thanks!
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  71. I live in the USA, so I'm not familiar with amateur radio operators in the UK. However, the operators I know here would be irritated by this. They take pride in their networks, especially during times of natural disaster when they become essential personnel, and they would make a great effort to find the offenders and hand them over to the Federal Communications Commission.
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  72. That is REALLY impressive. I didn't think there would be that much difference at a fairly short range. Thanks for the info!
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  73. Queen Elizabeth using the handle Miss Liz sounds a bit far-fetched to me. Prince Charles and Princess Margaret were both young and adventurous during the CB era, so their participation is plausible. Princess Margaret would still do it because that's the way she rolls.
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  74. I live in the USA. As long as you don't actively seek to decrypt confidential communications through skullduggery, you're free to listen to whatever you wish. If someone is foolish enough to broadcast sensitive communications over an open channel, that's their problem, not yours.
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  75. Training... and lots of it!
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  76. I find it interesting that so small a nation as Israel has been able to create very effective national security systems that rank among the best in the world. They're in a game they can't afford to lose.
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  77. One day we're going to learn that The Buzzer is being caused by an electric can opener. (A vague reference to Big Bang Theory.)
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  78.  @arthurhunt642  Yes. I'm aware of the solar cycles. I've dx'ed my way through six of them so far. The problem with Radio Havana is that they can no longer afford to maintain or power their transmitters because they're no longer puppets of the USSR. They might get some help from communist China now that they're new best friends, but the glory days of Radio Habana Cuba are over.
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  79. It's interesting how technological innovations become historically attached to specific wars. Crimean War: First use of photography. World War I: First use of powered aircraft. World War II: First use of atomic weapons. Now in the Russia-Ukraine war, we are seeing the Internet being used as an effective, lethal weapon.
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  80. I wish North Korea would stream its television service. It's a lot of fun to watch... in a twisted, demented way.
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  81. In a recent poll, only 31% of young Americans said that patriotism was an important value in their lives. Thank goodness the young people of Britain didn't feel that way in 1939. These young women set aside what they would rather have been doing (i.e. marriage, family, higher education or the pursuit of business opportunities) to sit in boxes in the middle of nowhere armed with a radio, a phone and a pistol. That took guts!
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  82. When I was a child in South Carolina USA over 50 years ago, my friends and I built a 30 ft. wire antenna in a tree, then taped it to the antenna of one of our little children's walkie talkies. It increased transmission distance several blocks which was pretty cool. Then a helicopter from our nearby air force base flew over and we were convinced that the Feds had discovered our "illegal transmitter" and were coming after us so we ran inside a friend's home and hid for several hours, convinced we were doomed to life in prison. After waiting a prudent amount of time, we went back outside to play... but we never used the antenna again. Stock footage is fine with me. Anyone who criticizes you for using it. clearly doesn't understand what you're trying to accomplish. Keep up the great work!
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  83. I noticed the digital chatter on The Buzzer last week. I've seen imagery in the buzzer as well, most recently a message suggesting that Russia should go have sex with itself. I assume the Ukrainians are behind it.
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  84. This is a great follow-up to your previous story. Thanks.
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  85. Very interesting. I never knew.
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  86. Spooky stuff!
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  87. I find it interesting and saddening that very expensive radio installations often become worthless the moment the technology moves forward. Most of them aren't even recyclable except for the steel in their antennas. The law of the jungle definitely applies.
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  88. Beautiful location! Do they need someone to live at the transmitter and keep the grass cut? I'll volunteer!
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  89. Spy vs Spy! I love it when spooks have a go at each other on the airwaves. Although the Cold War was an awful time for the world, the constant flow of propaganda and spycraft was fascinating. I wish I had made more recordings back then.
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  90. The V28 announcer was very energetic. Nobody likes a slacker communist.
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  91. Question: Are there any electronic risks associated with flying a drone near a powerful broadcast tower. I just got my drone and I'd like to examine a 500 ft. digital television tower near my family's farm. Should I be worried that the high-powered transmitters on the tower might zap the circuit board on my drone?
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  92. Very interesting. I never knew this was happening.
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  93. Whoever is doing this deserves a spanking. A great BIG spanking.
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  94. Shortwave radio IS geopolitics, Go away, Troll!
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  95. I've always thought that the cages are the most interesting features of the Woodpecker receiving antenna, but I've never heard a reasonable explanation of their purpose. I'd love to own one if they weren't coated with uranium dust.
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  96. The right to listen is a foregone conclusion where I live in the USA... unless you're taking active steps to decrypt classified information. If you do that, you're a spy who needs to be detained.
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  97. Although I haven't tried it yet, I've read that discone antennas are good for SDR.
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  98. You've done an excellent job and you deserve the recognition. Congratulations!
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  99. Nice drone work. I particularly liked the shots directly above the tower.
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  100. Enjoyable as always. It got a bit hairy when the two ships passed in the canal. That's the sort of thing that could go really wrong, really fast.
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  101. The Buzzer may not be a dead hand switch, but that would make a good plot for a James Bond film.
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  102. I've heard Firedrake several times, always jamming Falun Gong broadcasts. It's really obvious when you see it on a SDR waterfall display.
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  103. Jail would be a nice place for this person.
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  104. Nice video. I miss the Cold War era when you could find number stations every day, all over the spectrum.
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  105. Interesting approach. I suppose even the best spies make a mistake every now and then.
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  106. I've always considered the airwaves to be a public trust, operated for the good of humanity. People who interfere with legitimate radio transmissions need to be dealt with harshly, especially when others are harmed.
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