Yosemite Sam (shortwave)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yosemite Sam is the nickname given by DXers to a mysterious 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 about 0.5 seconds, followed by the voice of Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam exclaiming: "Varmint, I'ma Gonna Blow Yah T'Smithereens!" The clip is apparently from the cartoon Bunker Hill Bunny (1950).
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 origins of the Yosemite Sam station remains unknown. Its location in Albuquerque raises another ironic relation to Looney Tunes--The phrase "I knew I should've made the left turn at Albuquerque" frequently said by Bugs Bunny.
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
- "Yosemite Sam" at Spynumbers.com Includes a recording of the station
