In the past few days, the Cuban intelligence stations on 17478 at 1600Z and 17436 at 1700Z have been using a new digital mode instead of the V2 voice.  The stations use a strong AM carrier with audio of the digital signal.  They have used PSK31 in the past, as well as PSK125, PSK220F, and a few others.  But recently they've been using RDFT, or Redundant Digital File Transfer.  RDFT is a signal used by amateurs to pass computer files back & forth.  The Cubans are using the DIGTRX 3.11 program, as evident by the digital signature sent before each transmission & visible on the spectrum display.  Using the same program, I have decoded these transmissions to see that they have been passing a file called "nen12.txt" which consists of strings of numbers as sent by the PSK signals.  For the past week or so, they've apparently been passing the same file.  It would seem that this is probably a test transmission.  Only time will tell if these signals continue or they switch back to the voice numbers transmissions.



I have a new homebrew project in the works.  Due to the success of my HF antenna splitter for my SW receivers, I decided to build an antenna splitter with preamp for my scanners.  I have three scanners in the shack and have had to put up three different antennas.  With the splitter I can get rid of a couple of them.  I've already wound a transformer on an old toroid and tested it on the scanners.  It does OK even up on 800 MHZ, so the frequency response is great.  I just had it connected with clip leads, so it should work even better with a preamp in front of it and enclosed in a metal box.  I'll install it in a switchbox like I used for the HF splitter.



Lastly, at the Joplin Hamfest a few weekends ago, I bought a Uniden HR2600 10 meter transceiver for $50.  I plan to install it in my truck soon and be operational on 10m mobile.  Years ago I had a 2510, but regretted selling it.  However, I'm happy to have the 2600 as it does repeater splits.  I'm just about ready to mount it in my truck, but I need to find a decent antenna to use.  I plan on using a 10m Hamstick.  I'll be ready to go when in a few years 10 is open all day.