This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/nosleep by /u/Twhylight on 2024-10-12 09:58:49+00:00.
This is a collection of posts from the forum [REDACTED], from the user [REDACTED]. Names of persons and locations have been either changed or [REDACTED] for safety. All hyperlinks have also been disabled.-
Post 1: Found an old H.A.M. radio – what are the basics I should know?
Date: 17/6/2023
First-time poster on [REDACTED]. Hopefully, you guys are friendly. I just have some basic questions when it comes to maintenance and care for old H.A.M. radio transmitters.
I got my hands on a set from my uncle, who sadly passed away recently. While we were clearing his house, I managed to snag the beauty from his attic. He was never in the army or anything, but he liked collecting old stuff. I guess I take after him, lol.
So, I was able to get this thing working. Took me a few days of painstaking research to figure out how much power this thing needs and what parts are likely to break. I was able to Google the really basic stuff easily enough, but I’m sure there are things only you guys would know about.
So, here I am: a H.A.M. radio virgin. What are the basic tips and tricks I should know if I want to use it properly and maintain it?
Signed,
James
***
Post 2: Re – Found an old H.A.M. radio – what are the basics I should know?
Date: 18/6/2023
Wow, thanks guys! Awesome ideas and suggestions.
I was able to source parts from the website [REDACTED] recommended. Really cheap prices for such old-school stuff. Great find!
I’ve ordered a bunch of replacement parts as suggested. I’ve got it hooked up safely, and I’ve been browsing the channels. Haven’t found anything super interesting yet, but you guys suggested getting a repeater to increase the range? How far can this thing receive?
I did get one funny interaction with an angry truck driver though. I live near a highway, and a lot of big rigs pass by. I didn’t know truckers still use these, lol.
Here’s the recording I made: [Hyperlink Deleted]
—
-A transcript of the conversation from the audio-
James: OK, I just found a channel with people talking on it. Gonna prank them.
**James tunes into the frequency. A dog barks in the distance.**
Trucker 1: Any accidents heading southbound on the M4?
Trucker 2: Negative, the sirens were going up the M4 and turning off, you should be good.
James: Uh, Charlie Foxtrot, this is [REDACTED]. Can I take your order?
**James laughs**
James: Charlie Foxtrot, do you want fries with that?
Trucker 2: Get the fuck off this radio, kid!
**James laughs loudly**
James: Got ‘em. Anyway, that’s it for now.
—
So yeah, hopefully after I replace some of these parts, I’ll be able to get a better signal. Even with the highway so close, the audio quality was pretty bad.
Thanks again!
Signed,
James
***
Post 3: My parts are here, and the range has increased – picking up so much more!
Date: 25/6/2023
First off, I have to apologise for the prank I pulled earlier. I should’ve realised that enthusiasts like you lot don’t mess around like that and are here to document more serious things on the waves.
In other news, after some trial and error, I’ve managed to replace most of the decaying parts with brand-new ones! I didn’t even know they made these components brand new anymore. I even managed to get my hands on a repeater.
The sound quality has exceeded my expectations, and now the dials I replaced actually move properly, with the needle matching the frequency. For a beginner at airwave surfing, I think I’ve done pretty well.
So, here are a few things I’ve picked up over the radio.
I’ve tuned into my local radio broadcast, but unfortunately, I can’t transmit anything back—not that I would, but it’s a shame. There’s been a lot of trucker talk about accidents and stuff, and I think I might’ve stumbled upon one of those pirate radio stations you all talk about.
I live in [REDACTED], and it’s a very mountainous region. Radio signals struggle to make it past the massive stone monoliths, and the infrastructure around here is pretty weak. I guess with the rise of Wi-Fi and all, there hasn’t been much need for improvement.
Anyway, there’s a station on frequency [REDACTED] if anyone in the same region wants to tune in. It’d be cool if someone could corroborate what I’ve been hearing. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a pirate station—loads of conspiracies and wild theories about mind control and the like, total nut jobs.
Here’s a link to what they were talking about: [Hyperlink Deleted]
—
-Transcript-
**A dog barks in the distance as James places his phone**
James: Alright, I’ve found a pirate signal. It’s [REDACTED], if you’re nearby and want to listen. Let me just tune in.
**Static fluctuates, then a clear male voice comes through.**
Conspiracy Host: …and they’ve got them. And now, with the addition of ANOTHER tower in the area, I’m telling you, the signal it produces is going to fry our brains.
**James snickers**
Conspiracy Host: That’s why Yours Truly keeps it analog. You won’t catch me on the internet or using their phone plans.
**The Conspiracy Host continues rambling as James speaks**
James: He’s been ranting about 5G all day. It’s a new theory every day, at least for the past two days I’ve been listening. Interesting times, I guess. Thanks for tuning in.
—
So, what do you guys think? Have I stumbled onto something cool yet? I’m not sure if this is the right place on the forum for discoveries—maybe someone can point me in the right direction? Maybe I could track down the crazy guy’s signal and pay him a visit at his cabin in the woods.
Please don’t take that seriously—I’m not that stupid.
Thanks!
Signed,
James
***
Post 4: Getting Dead Signals Every Now and Again—Is This Normal?
Date: 26/6/2023
Hi again,
Just checking in with you guys to see if this is normal. Best to ask the experts.
It hasn’t happened a lot, but occasionally I pick up a signal where it’s just… well, dead. As in, there’s nothing. No static, no tone shifts. Just silence. It’s eerie as hell.
I looked it up, and generally, ‘dead air’ refers to the silence between broadcasts. What I don’t like is that this silence seems to pop up randomly while I’m tuning. If I’m picking up absolute silence, that means something is there, right?
It’s only happened a few times, but now that I’ve noticed it, I swear it’s happening more often. I’ll let you guys decide.
Here’s the audio: [Hyperlink Deleted]
—
-Transcript-
James: Let me just tune in. It’s really specific with its frequency, like I have to be exact to find it.
**Static and scrambling before it goes silent**
James: There! Right there!
**Silence**
James: What’s up with that? No feedback or anything. The weirdest part is that if I nudge it just a little…
**Static resumes**
James: Strange. Hopefully, you guys can figure this out. Is this a faulty part? Thanks again.
—
Like I said in the audio, have I accidentally fried a part? Everything looks fine, so I don’t think so. Maybe I installed something incorrectly?
Thanks!
Signed,
James
***
Post 5: Re—Getting Dead Signals Every Now and Again—Is This Normal?
Date: 27/6/2023
There’s something strange about these channels.
I don’t really know how to describe it, but… I’ve been noticing them a lot more. I’ll be tuning in, listening to some trucker chatter, and then suddenly it just cuts out, mid-sentence, and that eerie silence is back. It’s not like they stop talking, it’s more like the signal itself just gets snatched away.
People on here have said to be mindful of channels like that. They say you never know who might be listening in. Honestly, I doubt that’s the case. I’ve been unplugging the H.A.M. set whenever I finish using it and I’m always really careful when I come across these dead air broadcasts. I never talk about anything private or incriminating.
Still, I appreciate the concern.
Signed,
James
EDIT: Just as I was about to post this, something happened.
I was typing up this post when I heard the radio start tuning by itself. There was flickering static and that high-pitched whine before it went completely quiet. To be honest, I’m scared. I still am.
Just to put my mind at ease, I’m going to leave my phone recording in the room while I’m at school. I’ll post what I find tomorrow when I get back. I’m really hoping it’s just a fault or something.
Please tell me this is an easy fix.
***
Post 6: You Need to Hear This
Date: 28/6/2023
I don’t even know what to title this post.
If you’ve been keeping up, you know something strange is going on with my set. This morning I left for school and decided to leave my phone recording next to the H.A.M. radio.
I’ll just let the audio speak for itself. I’ve edited it down to the relevant part.
[Hyperlink Deleted]
—
Transcript:
**There’s silence, occasionally broken by a dog barking and the muffled sounds of cars or trucks passing by. After a while, the distinct click of a switch being flicked.**
**The frequency starts tuning, eventually landing on the silent tone. This holds for about two minutes before the switch clicks again.**
—
Now, some of you might think I’m messing with you, but I’m really not. A few people also suggested I might have installed an automatic tuner.
I didn’t.
So how the hell do you explain the switch turning on by itself?
And that tone… it’s not silent anymor...
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