Comments:

Dan Arbor - 2005-02-02 15:44:50
Interesting. I was scanning a couple of the sites, and they say that in some cases, these broadcasts have actually increased since the end of the cold war. Also, they noted a rise in broadcasts in Middle Eastern lanuguages, such as Arabic.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-02 16:15:41
That is interesting, indeed. My ex used to have a shortwave and I got hooked on listening to the watery, wavering, echoey, distant, staticky broadcasts from Zaire or the Netherlands or what have you. And I've heard a couple of these numbers stations broadcasts. There's also a lot of spots on shortwave frequencies where you'll here superfast Morse code being rattled off. Shortwave is cool.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

tom - 2005-02-03 08:47:12
I wonder what happens if the people reading the numbers skip one or transpose some digits. Maybe a message reading "Bug Condi Rice's office" becomes "stand on your head and whistle Dixie".
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-03 10:50:09
Oops. Could happen I suppose.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jane - 2005-02-04 13:21:07
I have copies of the CONET project discs. Spooooooky stuff. I can't listen for more than a couple minutes because I get seriously creeped out.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-04 13:26:34
I have the CONET CDs on my list of CDs I want to buy. I have heard other people say that they were creeped out by them. O have to wonder why...mysteriously, on some level, are listeners somehow picking up on the real message? I wonder. I believe Wilco used bits of the CONET project on at least one of their CDs.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-04 13:27:43
I have to ask, Jane, what do you think about the CONET recordings? What are they like? Is there a variety? What's the weirdest one? And why do you think people are creeped out by them?
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jane - 2005-02-04 13:55:58
The variety is great: Creepy children's voices reading an endless stream of NATO-Phonetic-Alphabet, beeps and bips of morse code, the Linconshire Poacher's tinny-xylophone lead-in music.

When I listen to the CONET discs, I feel a series of weird buried emotions and thoughts: The feeling you got as a kid when you stayed up late enough to see the national anthem play on the TV stations and then shift to a holding pattern or static -- the feeling of being left alone and stranded by an otherwise constant presence. The feeling we all felt in the 80's when we were sure that spies were around every corner and we'd probably all end in a mushroom cloud anyway. The feeling that there are voices whispering all day long and all night long, behind your back, over your head, doing nefarious stuff, plotting the hijacking of planes, the overthrow of government.

As the MI6 say, "These [numbers stations] are what you suppose they are. People shouldn't be mystified by them. They are not for, shall we say, public consumption."
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-04 13:59:37
Wow. I'm floored by your flag--static allusion. Just the originality of the comparison is very striking. The other thoughts, too. A vivid description--thanks Jane. I have to get these discs.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Dan Arbor - 2005-02-06 21:49:59
This is the first I have heard of these discs. From your descriptions, they seem very compelling.

What exactly is CONET?
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-06 22:22:54
Dan, I checked the CONET Project home page to try and find out, but no answer. I note that the discs are currenlty sold out, but that you can join a waiting list. I'm a bit disappointed--I'd toyed with the idea of buying them and had gone so far as to price them on amazon--$63. A bit much for an everyday treat, but I'd like to get them soon's I do something really good that deserves a special treat.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jane - 2005-02-07 09:33:40
Well, these aren't the same exact clips as are on the CONET discs, but you can hear clips from many of the same numbers stations (Swedish Rhapsody, Cynthia, Cherry Ripe, Lincolnshire Poacher, etc) on these sites:

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-07 09:45:03
Thanks for the links Jane (just fyi, some of the .wav files within the first link seem to be broken). The conversation about this fascinating topic has me interested in buying not only the CDs but a shortwave radio, if an analog one is still available.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

raymond - 2005-02-08 19:08:07
This CONET is also unfamiliar to me. Like Packzi, there's nothing on Ebay. That seems like a good sign. But the description sounds like some work I'm struggling now to record. So far, nothing satisfactory comes from my ambition and efforts. My spark is dim just now.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Laura - 2005-02-08 19:18:51
Of course I'm now curious to know about your project, if you'd like to describe it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

add your comment:

your name:
your email:
your url:

back to the entry - Diaryland