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The burst encoder described on this page was used exclusively with the
Russian R-353 spy radio set. A small unit with a telephone-style
dial was used to (passively) record messages on a metal tape, unlike its
predecessor, the R-350 which used a photo film roll.
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A complete unit consists of the recorder with a telephone-style dial
and a separate cassette with a metal tape. Both units are normally packed
in some kind of 'rain coat' to protect them against rain and dirt.
Inside the recorder is a rotating disc with magnets that act as a
recording head, similar to the head of an old-style tape recorder.
The head is further protected by a metal lid,
that can easily be removed. Inside the lid is
a small pen that is used by the operator to enter numbers using the dial.
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After unpacking the cassette from its raincoat, it can be attached to
the recorder. The operator then uses the pen to enter the pre-coded
message as a series of numbers (0-9). The pen is entered into the
corresponding hole in the dial and then used to rotate the disc until
the pen is block by a small metal bracket. The pen is then pulled out,
so that the dial can return to its default position. Exactly like you
would dial a number on an old-style telephone.
When returning to the default position,
the metal tape is advanced sligtly, whilst a digital code is recorded
on the tape by the rotating magnets inside the recorder. The advantage
of this system is that it requires no batteries.
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In practice, multiple cassettes would often be issued with each radio
set. A secret agent would use the dial to record a pre-coded message
onto the tape. He would then hide the tape in a pre-determined place,
a so-called dead drop, where he would find a new - empty - tape.
The tape was picked up later by the radio operator, who would take it
home and attach it to the R-353 transmitter. After establishing contact
with the East-European head office, the message would then automatically
be played back at very high speed (burst) to minimise the risk of
detection.
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The advantage of using a dead drop was that agent
and radio operator didn't have to be aquinted, minimising the risk
of compromise when the other person was exposed.
In certain situations, the R-353 was also used directly by agents themselves
to send messages home. In those cases, agent and radio operator would be one
and the same person.
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© Copyright 2009-2013, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Monday, 22 February 2010 - 13:12 CET
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