For 40 years, since the height of the Cold War, a mysterious radio signal has confounded scientists and radio operators across the world. According to an old article on the BBC, the location is near St Petersburg in Russia. It is thought to be the headquarters of a radio station, ‘MDZhB’, that no one has ever claimed to run, the outlet further said. But it has been broadcasting a dull, monotonous tone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone can listen in by tuning to the frequency 4625 kHz.
The BBC also said that a human voice sometimes reads out words like “dinghy” or “farming specialist”, deepening the intrigue around the ghostly transmission.
Vice News said in a report that some enthusiasts entered the original location in Russia and allegedly found a log book which showed messages transmitted on UVB-76.
Initially, UVB-76 was believed to be a part of the Soviet Union’s vast communications network, and after its dissolution in 1991, the transmission continued to operate from Russian territory. The feed has gained numerous followers online, where users affectionately call it “the Buzzer”.
There are numerous theories around the radio transmission. The frequency is thought to belong to the Russian military, though they’ve never actually admitted this, said the BBC.
Some believe UVB-76 is a number station used for sending coded messages to spies and operatives. The cryptic voice messages fit the pattern of traditional number stations, which have been used for decades by various countries for espionage purposes.
Another theory suggests that UVB-76 might be related to ionospheric research, helping to study radio wave propagation through the Earth’s atmosphere. This would explain the consistent signal and occasional variations.
The Buzzer operates at a relatively low frequency known as short wave, which allows it to travel great distance.
In recent years, UVB-76 has undergone several changes that have reignited interest and speculation. In 2010, a significant spike in activity included more frequent voice messages, leading to renewed interest from amateur radio enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike, as per Popular Mechanics.
Despite extensive monitoring and analysis by enthusiasts worldwide, the exact purpose of UVB-76 remains unconfirmed, perpetuating its status as one of the most compelling unsolved mysteries of the shortwave radio world.
