Yosemite Sam (shortwave)

Yosemite Sam is the nickname given by DXers to a mysterious number station that first surfaced on December 19, 2004. It transmits on several shortwave frequencies in dual side band: 3700 kHz, 4300 kHz, 6500 kHz, and 10500 kHz.

A transmission begins on one of the frequencies. Then ten seconds later, it is repeated on the next higher frequency, and so on. The entire pattern takes precisely two minutes, and always begins seven seconds after the top of an hour.

Each transmission starts with a data burst lasting 0.8 seconds, followed by the voice of Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam exclaiming: "Varmint, I'm a-gonna b-b-b-bloooow yah t'smithereenies!" The clip is apparently from the cartoon "Bunker Hill Bunny" (1949).

Reception reports seem to indicate the transmitter site is likely in the desert near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The station disappeared on December 23, 2004 but returned during February 2005, on its old frequencies plus additional new frequencies, including those of time signals stations WWV and WWVH. The purpose and origin of the Yosemite Sam station remain unknown. Its location in Albuquerque raises another ironic relation to Looney Tunes, a phrase frequently said by Bugs Bunny: "I knew I shouldn't have made the left turn at Albuquerque".

ee also

*Numbers station

External links

* [http://www.spynumbers.com/YosemiteSam.html "Yosemite Sam" at Spynumbers.com] "Includes a recording of the station"
* [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/mar2005/ham_spy.htm "Ham vs Spy (radio)"] "Transmitter site pinpointed"