This is a copy of The Numbers Racket CD-ROM, which I prepared back in 1998. I am presenting it here, unedited, for historical purposes. Obviously most if not all of the information is 'out of date' today, but think of it as a snapshot of what the Spy Numbers scene was like in the late 1990s.

Like what you see here? Help support my work by taking a look at my software , and buy something of interest :) It's all available for download before purchase, so you can try it out.

Enjoy!

The Bored Man

The Bored Man

This is a very odd operation. Heard every Sunday at 1400 UTC on 6868 USB in Spanish. It seems to consist of a very dis-interested OM repeating a preamble, for up to half an hour. His lack of enthusiasm has earned him the nickname of "The Bored Man". Perhaps he's so bored because he has to repeat this routine every week.

What makes this one so unique is that the transmissions are done live! It is very uncommon to hear live Numbers Stations, almost all operations are completely computer controlled, with synthesized voices. But not this one. Every week, he drones on and on. Naturally there are often pauses, and he makes mistakes. Sometimes other voices can be heard in the background. Sometimes they even try to make him laugh!

This begs the question... "why?" Why do a live transmission every week? Why bother to if your announcer doesn't seem to enjoy his work, and associates in the background try to cause him to laugh and make errors? I believe we can definately rule out any military or government organization. Who does that leave? The likely suspects are smugglers of some kind, probably drugs. I would tend to think terrorists would be a little more organized and discreet.

Anyway, it often makes for interesting listening. Unlike most other Numbers Stations, this station can be very unpredictable. Be sure to give The Bored Man a listen sometime, you never know what you'll hear from this one!

Here's a typical transmission... 

Atencion Atencion Atencion    
R 2 90    R 2 90   R 2 90
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (count length varies)
(This preamble is repeated for up to half an hour)
Please note several oddities, compared to other Numbers Stations:

Frequencies (all USB): 

4106
6868
9415
Transmissions are always on Sunday mornings, typically 1400-1500 UTC (one hour later in the winter)

NOTE: As of August 30, 1998, The Bored Man has not show up for three weekends in a row. The station may no longer exist.


Listen to the station The Bored Man
Listen to the station Another broadcast from The Bored Man
Listen to the station More from The Bored Man
Listen to the station Yet more from The Bored Man Recorded 1400Z July 12, 1998 on 9415 kHz USB
Listen to the station The Bored Man plays some music!

Copyright 1998 Chris Smolinski. All Rights Reserved. Last Update: July 12, 1998.

This is a copy of The Numbers Racket CD-ROM, which I prepared back in 1998. I am presenting it here, unedited, for historical purposes. Obviously most if not all of the information is 'out of date' today, but think of it as a snapshot of what the Spy Numbers scene was like in the late 1990s.

Like what you see here? Help support my work by taking a look at my software , and buy something of interest :) It's all available for download before purchase, so you can try it out.