Quantity vs. quality: total disinformation vs. real radio monitoring

Here at Klingenfuss Publications, we do real radio monitoring on a regular basis from various parts of the globe - and we have done so for 36 years! Our extensive worldwide network of experienced cooperators uses state-of-the-art products such as WAVECOM digital data signal analysis + classification + decoding + display + identification + reception equipment. This leading technology allows us to exchange standard .w40 or .w41 or .w51 files via normal e-mail. Our global collection of "life" message texts, fax transmissions and HF e-mails currently covers more than 7,000 screenshots and constitutes the largest pertinent database worldwide. What's more, only we - and nobody else! - regularly upload the latest monitoring screenshots on our website.

Oddly enough, there is no other author in this field who includes at least a few screenshots from real radio monitoring in his or her books or CD's. Now why is that? For the simple reason that there is no comprehensive real radio monitoring executed out there at all! While these people offer gigantic frequency lists covering tenthousands of entries, these concoctions are perfectly useless to serious radio listeners since they merely represent dull data compilations copied - of all things! - from the Internet and not based on real radio monitoring. The Internet, however, is not only a just too convenient medium for copying and plagiarizing information, but above all constitutes a worldwide promotion platform for incompetent and stupid people, idiots, and outright maniacs. These guys usually have no idea of economy, foreign languages, geography, politics, radio, and related fields. As a result, you will find on the Internet an incredible amount of intentional disinformation, misleading interpretations, pure speculation, and wrong conclusions ... and this "quality" of "data" is today the very mainstay of cheap frequency lists offered by other publishers! The deplorable effects of this "working method" are

  • tenthousands of phantom and fantasy frequencies are published for the sole purpose of quantity;
  • stations which ceased operation many years ago continue to be listed in self-appointed "leading" publications (you name it - we're tickled to death ...) comprising hundreds of extincted stations and thousands of inactive frequencies. This, by the way, goes for traditional worldwide radio broadcast handbooks on as well: our new Shortwave Frequency Guide - currently in its ninth edition! - has set a new quality standard in the field of broadcast stations and schedules as well;
  • feedback and repercussion of that "data" through, you guess it? the Internet! spreads that disinformation in no time all over the world. This is the very vicious circle that we revealed already 25 years ago with one particularly notorious frequency list and certain monthly club / radio magazines from the United States of America - and we significantly designated this vicious circle "The CFL Loop"!

    • The final result of that infamous business attitude? We have experienced it again and again: the unsuspecting user of such bad frequency lists is intentionally disinformed, largely frustrated, and totally confused!

    On the contrary, the quality of our products is based on

  • the technical skill of the contributing radio monitors. They are fully familiar with the traffic procedures of the various radio services monitored. Consequently, they are young enough to be able to keep abreast with the latest developments in information technology and digital data transmissions, but nevertheless have sound experience of the work done at radio stations of the intercepted utility services. This can be obtained only through long periods of practical monitoring work;
  • experience of these radio monitors in the identification of radio signals. This is one of the most difficult tasks, partly due to the infrequent transmission of identification signals and partly due to the use of abbreviated, tactical or unofficial call signs. In the case of complex digital data transmission and teleprinter systems there is difficulty both in the decoding and the identification of such signals;
  • the monitoring work itself, i.e. the establishment of methodical working procedures such as shift plans;
  • the amount of time invested for monitoring;
  • the quality of the equipment used: we use several antennas and high-end receivers. Needless to say, we routinely test - and use! - the full range of the very latest WAVECOM digital data decoders at a total value of more than 20,000 EUR;
  • the availability of reference material such as certain official publications, plus the experience to interpret it;
  • proficiency in economy, geography and politics and related fields, with profound background knowledge and talent of deduction;
  • proficiency in foreign languages: our experts speak Arabic, Bhojpuri, Cantonese, Creole, English, Farsi, French, German, Hakka, Hindi, Iban, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Malay, Mandarin, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Sinhala, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Walsertütschu, plus dozens of local and regional dialects!

    • By consequence, Klingenfuss Publications offer the most up-to-date manuals for radio monitors worldwide, regularly confirmed by the comprehensive list of references. With the exception of some reliable websites maintained by international organizations and selected utility radio stations, our long-time experience is: hands off the Net - and its infamous "clubs" and "newsgroups"!