View source for UVB-76

{{Short description|Soviet and Russian shortwave radio station}}
{{User-generated|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Redirect|The Buzzer|other uses|Buzzer (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox radio station
| format = Repeated buzzing sound
| image = UVB-76-detail.png
| caption = A [[spectrogram]] of UVB-76, showing the suppressed lower sideband
| airdate = 
| former_callsigns = {{langx|ru|УЗБ-76 (Commonly mistaken to be УВБ-76)|label=none}}, {{langx|ru|МДЖБ|label=none}}, {{langx|ru|ЖУОЗ|label=none}}, {{langx|ru|АНВФ|label=none}}
| former_frequencies = 4625 kHz
| owner = [[Russian Armed Forces]]
| name = UVB-76
| area = [[Russia]], [[Soviet Union]] (formerly)
| frequency = 4625 kHz [[shortwave]]
| language = [[Russian language|Russian]]
| coordinates = 
| sister_stations = [[The Pip]], [[The Squeaky Wheel]]
| city = 
| embedded = {{Audio sample
| header = none
| file = UVB-76.ogg
| description = A short clip of UVB-76's transmission as recorded in Southern Finland, 860 km (530 mi) away from the station in 2002.
}}
}}

[[File:Websdr recording start 2022-03-24T23 27 27Z 4625.0kHz.wav|thumb|UVB-76 - "The Buzzer", recorded on 24 March 2022]]

'''UVB-76''' ({{langx|ru|УВБ-76}}; {{xref|see {{slink||Name and callsigns}} for other callsigns)}}, also known by the nickname "'''The Buzzer'''", is a [[shortwave radio]] [[radio station|station]] that broadcasts in [[Single-sideband modulation|upper sideband mode]] on the frequency of 4625{{nbs}}[[kHz]] (wavelength of 64.8{{nbs}}m).<ref name="The Buzzer"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Buzzer › Priyom.org|url=https://priyom.org/military-stations/russia/the-buzzer|access-date=2021-10-16|website=priyom.org}}</ref> It broadcasts a short, monotonous {{audio|UVB-76_07-08-2010.ogg|buzz tone}}, repeating at a rate of approximately 25{{nbs}}tones per minute, 24{{nbs}}hours per day.<ref name="The Buzzer" /> Sometimes, the buzzer signal is interrupted and a voice transmission in Russian takes place.<ref name="wired">{{cite magazine |title=Inside the Russian Short Wave Radio Enigma |first=Peter |last=Savodnik |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=September 27, 2011 |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/09/ff-uvb76/ |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=McLellan | first=Allison | date=November 2019 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2311511307/ | title=Decoding Numbers Stations | journal=QST | publisher=American Radio Relay League | volume=103 | issue=11 | pages=70–73|id={{ProQuest|2311511307}}| quote=Perhaps the best-known is the Russian UVB-76, a misheard version of its first call sign, UZB-76. Transmitting on 4625 kHz, it was first noticed around the late 1970s, earning the nickname 'the Buzzer' because of its 24-hour droning hum.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date=25 March 2012 | url=https://priyom.org/media/57653/the_buzzer_primer.pdf | title=The Buzzer Primer | work=Priyom.org | page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Harris | first=Shane | date=March 6, 2016 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1782923047/ | title=The Stupidly Simple Spy Messages No Computer Could Decode | journal=The Daily Beast | publisher=The Newsweek–Daily Beast Company |id={{ProQuest|1782923047}} | quote=For most of its existence, which has been traced back to an original airdate in 1976, it has transmitted a short, high-pitched buzz, every few seconds.}}</ref>

== Name and callsigns ==
[[File:UVB-76 - "The Buzzer" 10. August 2022.wav|thumb|UVB-76 – "The Buzzer", recorded on 10 August 2022]]

The station is commonly known as "The Buzzer"<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170801-the-ghostly-radio-station-that-no-one-claims-to-run |title=The ghostly radio station that no one claims to run |last=Gorvett |first=Zaria |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=July 15, 2020 |website=BBC}}</ref> in both [[English language|English]] and [[Russian language|Russian]] ({{langx|ru|Жужжалка|Zhuzhzhalka|link=no}}). From its first voice transmission in 1997 to 2010, the station identified itself as UZB-76<ref>{{Citation|title=UVB-76 MDZhB [24.12.1997] [21:58 UTC] (180 08 BROMAL 74 27 99 14)| date=30 June 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8CuyDiV1YQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/Y8CuyDiV1YQ |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UVB-76 MDZhB [23.08.2010] [13:35] (93 882 NAIMINA 74 14 35 74) | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJuiurAdWV0  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/IJuiurAdWV0 |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|date=July 5, 2014 |access-date=November 16, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ({{langx|ru|УЗБ-76|link=no}}). The [[call sign|callsign]] UVB-76 was never used by the station itself, but is rather a mistranscription of UZB-76.<ref name=":0" /> However, the station is still often referred to by that name. In the following years of transmission, the main callsign of the station changed regularly.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Main callsigns of UVB-76 ("The Buzzer")
!Callsign
!Timespan used
|-
|UZB-76 ({{langx|ru|УЗБ-76|label=none}})
|24 December 1997 – 7 September 2010
|-
|MDZhB ({{langx|ru|МДЖБ|label=none}})
|7 September 2010 – 28 December 2015
|-
|ZhUOZ ({{langx|ru|ЖУОЗ|label=none}})
|28 December 2015 – 1 March 2019
|-
|ANVF ({{langx|ru|АНВФ|label=none}})
|1 March 2019 – 30 December 2020
|-
|NZhTI ({{langx|ru|НЖТИ|label=none}})
|30 December 2020 – present
|}

In addition to these main callsigns, The Buzzer also uses other "side callsigns" which are being used less frequently than the main callsign. Whenever the main callsign changes, all previous side callsigns are also discarded.<ref name="The Buzzer" />

The station transmits using [[amplitude modulation|AM]] with a suppressed lower [[sideband]] (USB modulation), but it has also used full double-sideband AM (A3E). The signal consists of a buzzing sound that lasts 1.2 seconds, pausing for 1–1.3 seconds, and repeating 21–34 times per minute. Until November 2010, the buzz tones lasted approximately 0.8 seconds each.<ref name="The Buzzer"/><ref name="oddities">{{cite web |title=Oddities |url=http://www.cvni.net/radio/e2k/e2k008/e2k08odd.html |last=Boender |first=Ary |date=January 2002 |work=ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter – Issue 8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113081013/http://www.cvni.net/radio/e2k/e2k008/e2k08odd.html |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> One minute before the hour, the repeating tone was previously replaced by a continuous, uninterrupted alternating tone, which continued for one minute until the short repeating buzz resumed, although this stopped occurring in June 2010.<ref name="Russian_HF_beacons">{{cite web |title=Russian HF Beacons |url=http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl032/nsnl32mx.html |date=December 24, 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907011137/http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl032/nsnl32mx.html |archive-date=September 7, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>

Since the start of broadcasting, The Buzzer broadcasts as a repeating two-second pip.<ref name="Morse_Stations">{{cite web|date=2 August 1976|title=UVB|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZgmJdqVRAk |access-date=December 25, 2020|website=Youtube}}</ref><ref name="Numbers_and_Oddities">{{cite web |title=Numbers & oddities: Column 1 |url=http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl000/nsnl0a.html |last=Boender |first=Ary |year=1995 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125075809/http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl000/nsnl0a.html |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>

=== Voice messages ===
[[File:Buzzer 2013 01 24.ogg|thumb|UVB-76 – "The Buzzer" with a voice message, recorded on 24 January 2013]]

The buzzing sound is sometimes interrupted by the broadcast of voice messages. These messages are always given in Russian by a live voice, and follow three fixed formats:<ref name=":0" /><ref name="The Buzzer"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.es/tecnologia/misterio-emisiones-radio-secretas-201008260000_noticia.html |title=El misterio de las emisiones de radio secretas |newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]] |date=August 26, 2010 |language=es |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.googlesightseeing.com/2009/07/the-buzzer-uvb-76/ |first=Alex |last=Turnbull |title="The Buzzer" (UVB-76) |publisher=Googlesightseeing.com |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Uvb76 8 3 2023.ogg|thumb|UVB-76 – "The Buzzer", recorded on 3 August 2023]]

==== Monolith ====
{{external media
|video2={{YouTube|ZWAYHbKPvFw|UVB-76 in 1982}}
|video3={{YouTube|bBGk0mFnug0|UVB-76 in 1989}}
}}

A message in the Monolith format always consists of the following parts:

* Callsigns, each of which read out twice in the readout. A callsign always consists of four symbols, each symbol being either a Russian letter or a digit
* Five digit ID groups (amount of items usually follows the amount of callsigns)
* Message blocks, each consisting of one code word and eight digits

Example of a Monolith message sent on The Buzzer with exactly one callsign, one ID group and one message block (most common type):
{{Quote frame|NZhTI NZhTI 34 511 GOLOSOK 80 17 81 54<ref>{{Citation|title=The Buzzer/UVB-76(4625Khz) February 3, 2021 15:25UTC Voice message| date=4 February 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNXwNkZwprU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/eNXwNkZwprU |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}
Monolith messages can however contain any amount of items from each part:
{{Quote frame|87OI 87OI A1JZh A1JZh 217O 217O DOTsU DOTsU MSZh7 MSZh7 02 189 44 871 71 132 13 155 27 420 VYMOKAN'Ye 18 97 35 87<ref>{{Citation|title=UVB-76/The Buzzer(4625Khz) 11th December 2019 Message #10 9:51UTC| date=11 December 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyAnza4htJ4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/QyAnza4htJ4 |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

{{Quote frame|MTA3 OTQ2O Tg1NzM3 Mzk1ODE0NCAtP iAuLi0uIC 4tLi4gLi0g Li4uI C4uLi4g Li0uLi AuLiAtL S4gLi4uLiAt<ref name="auto1">{{Citation|title=The Buzzer/UVB-76(4625Khz) Feb. 6th 2020 12:16UTC Voice message #6| date=6 February 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syfuL1JR4xk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/syfuL1JR4xk |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

{{Quote frame|87OI 87OI 25 184 GOLOVChATYJ 31 10 33 40 VYeKShA 31 10 33 40<ref name="auto1"/>}}

==== Uzor ====
A message in the Uzor format always consists of the following parts:

* Callsigns, each of which read out twice in the readout
* Message blocks, each consisting of one code word and four digits

Example of such a message:
{{Quote frame|MDZhB MDZhB TsYeNTIM 61 51<ref>{{Citation|title=UVB-76 MDZhB [26.01.2015] [05:59] (CENTIM 61 51)| date=26 January 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VileGw9SBh4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/VileGw9SBh4 |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

Nowadays, Uzor messages are rarely sent on The Buzzer.

==== Komanda ====
Komanda is the most uncommon type of voice message. Since it has not been heard for years, messages of this type are most likely not being sent on The Buzzer anymore. They consist of a [[callsign]] (read out twice), a codephrase ({{langx|ru|ОБЪЯВЛЕНА КОМАНДА|OB'YaVLYeNA KOMANDA|command announced|links=no}}), and a following number. 

Example of such a message:
{{Quote frame|MDZhB MDZhB OB'YaVLYeNA KOMANDA 135<ref>{{Citation|title=UVB-76 MDZhB [25.01.2013] [02:58] (OB'YaVLENA KOMANDA 135)| date=9 July 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPR0zDxRcrY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/EPR0zDxRcrY |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

=== Unusual transmissions ===
Distant conversations and other background noises have frequently been heard behind the buzzer; this suggests that the buzzing tones are not generated internally, but are produced by a device placed near a live and constantly open [[microphone]]. Because of the occasional fluctuating pitch of the buzzing tones, it is supposed that the tones are generated by a [[tonewheel]] as used in a [[Hammond organ]]. It is also possible that a microphone may have been turned on accidentally.<ref>[http://technet.idnes.cz/mysteriozni-radio-uz-30-let-vysila-zahadny-signal-a-ted-i-tajnou-sifru-1j4-/tec_audio.asp?c=A100826_231351_tec_audio_kuz "Mysteriózní rádio už 30 let vysílá záhadný signál a teď i tajnou šifru"], Technet.cz, August 27, 2010 ([https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftechnet.idnes.cz%2Fmysteriozni-radio-uz-30-let-vysila-zahadny-signal-a-ted-i-tajnou-sifru-1j4-%2Ftec_audio.asp%3Fc%3DA100826_231351_tec_audio_kuz English])</ref> One such occasion was on 3 November 2001, when a conversation in Russian was heard:<ref name="oddities"/>

{{Quote frame| {{langx|ru|label=none|Я – 143. Не получаю генератор... идёт такая работа от аппаратной.}} ({{ISO 639 name|en}}: I am 143. Not receiving the generator [oscillator]... that stuff comes from hardware room.<ref name=gizmodo2016>{{cite web |url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/07/the-unexplained-signals-of-russian-station-uvb-76/ |title=The Unexplained Signals Of Russian Station UVB-76 |date=2016-07-18 |website=Gizmodo Australia |access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref>) }}

In September 2010, several unusual broadcasts were observed; these included portions of the buzzer being replaced with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's ''[[Swan Lake]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=UVB-76 MDZhB [02.09.2010] Swan Lake |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zjt1NIq-UI  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/8Zjt1NIq-UI |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|via=YouTube |date=14 July 2014 |publisher=UVB-76 Activity Channel}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{{Quote frame| {{langx|ru|label=none|Офицер дежурного узла связи "Дебют", прапорщик Успенская. Получила контрольный звонок от Надежды... поняла.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Recording of the phone calls on UVB76 |url=https://soundcloud.com/danix111/uvb-76-2010-11-11-14-00-utc |date=11 November 2010 |publisher=[[SoundCloud]] |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref> ({{ISO 639 name|en}}: "Officer of the duty station 'Debut', ensign Uspenskaya. Received a test call from Nadezhda... understood.")}}

On 15 May 2020, broadcasts from unknown French speaking persons were heard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strange Voices heard on UVB-76, On 15th May 2020 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=11 April 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egfLSIhku9s |access-date=2024-04-06}}</ref>
[[File:4625.00KHZ 20240729 EST034312.wav|thumb|A short clip of hijackers playing ''Drugs'' by Sonic Mine over the buzzer, recorded on 29 July 2024]]
In January 2022, various signals with [[spectrogram]]-encoded images, visible through a [[spectrum analyzer]], were broadcast on the same frequency.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=JuEdWa |date=12 January 2022 |title=Possible pirate on top of UVB-76 The Buzzer! – January / 11 / 2022 (RARE!) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7eLJdecSj0 |access-date=19 January 2022}}</ref> There have also been reports of various songs airing on the station's frequency, many of which were connected to [[internet meme]]s such as the 2012 [[K-pop]] song "[[Gangnam Style]]";<ref name="Vice">{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Janus |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=Pirates Spammed an Infamous Soviet Short-wave Radio Station with Memes |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pirates-spammed-an-infamous-soviet-short-wave-radio-station-with-memes-uvb-76/ |access-date=20 January 2022 |work=Vice |date=20 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |people=mussyu226 |date=16 January 2022 |title=UVB-76でカンナムスタイル流れてて笑うwww |url=https://twitter.com/mussyu226/status/1482428767264198656 |access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref> a ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' article attributed these broadcasts to [[pirate radio|pirates]] hijacking and spamming the frequency. The nationality of the pirates has also come into question by ''Vice'' in relation to the [[Prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine|2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis]] and [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="Vice" />

Only on very rare occasions have there been any external civilian communications—unless authorised by the [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian defence ministry]]—with UVB-76, given its status as a military radio. The most recent event occurred under irregular circumstances. During the night of 4 May 2024 at 21:38 [[UTC+3:00|(MSK)]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKrNyPnTucQ|title=UVB-76 operator talking with a pirate|date=4 May 2024|accessdate=5 July 2024|via=YouTube}}</ref> an unknown Russian-speaking pirate infiltrated the frequency and attempted to contact the station whilst the buzzer was not active, if not on standby; the pirate then subsequently asked a series of improvised questions to the station:

{{Quote frame| {{langx|ru|label=none|italic=unset|Unknown pirate: А можно шутку рассказать? . . . Один «ррр» (звонок) – «да», два – «нет». ({{ISO 639 name|en}}: Can I tell a joke? One "rrr" [buzz] for "yes", two for "no".)

UVB-76 operator: *Two clear buzzes.*

Unknown pirate: За что?? . . . А музыку включить можно? ({{ISO 639 name|en}}: What for? But can I turn on some music?)

UVB-76 operator: *Two clear buzzes.*

Unknown pirate: Почему!? . . . А за такие вопросы вам ничего не будет? ({{ISO 639 name|en}}: But why!? Are you going to get in trouble if you answer my questions?)

*UVB-76 buzzer starts.*

Unknown pirate: Да блин! ({{ISO 639 name|en}}: Well, damn!)}}}}

Other instances of deliberate hijackings to make contact are widely unreported; however, there was another incident a day prior to the above event on 3 May 2024, where an unknown pirate—possibly the aforementioned—attempted to subject the buzzer to interference, whereby they were met with immediate retaliation from the on-duty operator who began preventative measures against the signal incursion; The UVB-76 operator combined three individual transmitters, with one above, one below and the other centre 4625 kHz transmitting MS-5 burst, along with CIS-12 modern audio as well as tones in several states, summarising together a highly dense spectral pattern with the upper-side band. Numerous noticeable transitions were witnessed over the 4625 kHz selected spectrogram section, as the operators frantically fought against the pirates. The incident occurred for around half an hour, until the operators ceased their tactics after the pirate abandoned attempts, as the buzzer was then reactivated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92byUcrh1MU|title=Russian Buzzer UVB-76 Operator Goes Ballistic Fighting Pirates &#124; Signal Phantom|date=4 May 2024|accessdate=5 July 2024|via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Location and function==
{{Original research section|date=January 2022}}
[[File:Uvb76antenna.jpg|thumb|1984 aerial photograph of [[Povarovo, Moscow Oblast|Povarovo]], [[Russia]], the former site of the transmitter for UVB-76]]

The purpose of the station has not been confirmed by government or broadcast officials. However, Rimantas Pleikys, a former Minister of Communications and Informatics of the [[Republic of Lithuania]], has written that the purpose of the voice messages is to confirm that operators at receiving stations are alert.<ref name="Russian_HF_beacons"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Single letter markers – posts from the SPOOKS and WUN listservers |url=http://dxworld.com/markers.html |year=2000 |access-date=2008-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071125051007/http://dxworld.com/markers.html |archive-date=2007-11-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Pleikys |first=Rimantas |title=Jamming |publisher=Rimantas Pleikys |year=1998 |location=Vilnius, Lithuania |url=http://www.oldradio.lt/jamming/jamminge.htm}}</ref> Another explanation is that the broadcast is constantly being listened to by [[military commissariat]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioscanner.ru/forum/topic12415-4.html |title=Военная "Жужжалка" на частоте 4625 кГц. "Buzzer" UVB-76. – Страница 4 |publisher=Radioscanner.ru |access-date=2012-10-09}}</ref>

There is speculation published in the ''[[Russian Journal of Earth Sciences]]'' which describes an observatory measuring changes in the [[ionosphere]] by broadcasting a signal at 4,625&nbsp;kHz, the same broadcast frequency as the Buzzer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Information-measuring complex and database of mid-latitude Borok Geophysical Observatory |url=http://elpub.wdcb.ru/journals/rjes/v10/2007ES000227/0.shtml |year=2008 |access-date=2012-02-10}}</ref>

One possible interpretation is that the voice messages constitute [[military communications]]. The possibility of the station being a [[numbers station]] for intelligence agencies, such as the [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] or the former [[KGB]] of the [[Soviet Union]], is considered unlikely by some, since messages occur at seemingly unpredictable times. In addition, the static frequency of 4,625{{nbs}}kHz and the low transmitter power are likely unsuitable for reliable long-range communication. {{Original research inline|date=January 2022}}

The buzzing functions as a "channel marker" used to keep the frequency occupied, thereby making it unattractive for other potential users.<ref name="The Buzzer">{{cite web |url=http://www.numbers-stations.com/the-buzzer |title=The Buzzer |date=October 2014 |access-date=October 1, 2014 |archive-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212192700/http://www.numbers-stations.com/the-buzzer |url-status=dead }}</ref> The signature sound could be used for tuning to the signal on an old analogue receiver. The modulation is suitable to be detected by an electromechanical frequency detector, similar to a [[tuning fork]]. This can be used to activate the [[squelch]] on a receiver. Due to the varying emission properties on shortwave bands, using a level-based squelch is unreliable. This also allows a signal loss to be detected, causing an alarm to sound on the receiver.

Another theory, described in a [[BBC]] article, states that the tower is connected to the [[Dead Hand|Russian 'Perimeter' missile system]], and emits a "dead hand" signal that will trigger a nuclear [[Second strike|retaliatory response]] if the signal is interrupted as a result of a nuclear attack against Russia.<ref name="auto" /> This theory is also very unlikely, given that The Buzzer stops or breaks down regularly.<ref name=gizmodo2016/>

There are two other Russian stations that follow a similar format, nicknamed "[[The Pip]]" and "[[The Squeaky Wheel]]". Like the Buzzer, these stations transmit a signature sound that is repeated constantly, but is occasionally interrupted to relay coded voice messages.<ref name="The Buzzer"/>

The former transmitter was located near [[Povarovo, Moscow Oblast|Povarovo]], [[Russia]],<ref name="The Buzzer"/><ref>{{cite magazine | last=Geere | first=Duncan | title=Mysterious Russian 'Buzzer' radio broadcast changes | url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-08/25/russian-numbers-station-broadcast-changes | magazine=WIRED.CO.UK | date=August 2010 | access-date=2010-09-12 | archive-date=17 September 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917152150/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-08/25/russian-numbers-station-broadcast-changes | url-status=dead }}</ref> at {{Coord|56|5|0|N|37|6|37|E|}} which is about halfway between [[Zelenograd]] and [[Solnechnogorsk]] and {{convert|10|km|mi}} [[Ordinal directions|northwest]] of [[Moscow]], near the village of Lozhki. The location and callsign were unknown until the first known voice broadcast of 1997.<ref>{{cite news |title=El misterioso zumbido de la estación de radio UVB-76 |url=http://www.elreservado.es/news/view/261-correos-rebotados-internet-comic/895-el-misterioso-zumbido-de-la-estacion-de-radio-uvb-76 |trans-title=The mysterious buzz of the UVB-76 radio station |newspaper=El Reservado |date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2011 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127110111/http://www.elreservado.es/news/view/261-correos-rebotados-internet-comic/895-el-misterioso-zumbido-de-la-estacion-de-radio-uvb-76 |archive-date=January 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In September 2010, the station's transmitter was moved to the nearby city of [[Saint Petersburg]], near the village of Kerro Massiv. This may have been due to a reorganization of the Russian military. Prior to 9 August 2015, the station is not transmitted from the Kerro Massiv transmitter site ("Irtysh") anymore, possibly due to a reorganization of the Russian military for the particular area which may cause the frequency to be used only in the Moscow Military District. At present, The Buzzer appears to be broadcast only from the 69th Communication Hub in [[Naro-Fominsk|Naro Fominsk]], Moscow.<ref name=wired/> In 2011, a group of [[urban exploration|urban explorers]] claimed to have explored the buildings at [[Povarovo, Moscow Oblast|Povarovo]] to find an abandoned military base and, in it, a radio log record confirming the operation of a transmitter at 4,625&nbsp;kHz.{{Better source needed|date=February 2020}}<ref>{{cite web |author=wasd |url=http://blog.kwasd.ru/небольшой-фотоотчет-с-увб-76-the-buzzer-жужжалк/ |title=kwasd's blog " Небольшой фотоотчет с УВБ-76 ("The Buzzer", "Жужжалка") |publisher=Blog.kwasd.ru |access-date=2012-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910123245/http://blog.kwasd.ru/%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%88%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D1%84%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BE%D1%82%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%82-%D1%81-%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B1-76-the-buzzer-%D0%B6%D1%83%D0%B6%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BA/ |archive-date=September 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.numbers-stations.com/media/sample-uvb76-logbook.pdf|title=Sample Buzzer Logbook|date=2014-09-22|access-date=2016-07-03}}</ref>

== Other callsigns ==
Besides the main callsign, there have been transmissions containing different callsigns such as{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* LNR4 ({{langx|ru|ЛНР4|link=no}})
* 87OI ({{langx|ru|87ОИ|link=no}})
* VM62 ({{langx|ru|ВМ62|link=no}})
* A1JZh ({{langx|ru|А1ЙЖ|link=no}})
* MSZh7 ({{langx|ru|МСЖ7|link=no}})
* OMP4 ({{langx|ru|ОМП4|link=no}})
* 7U8T ({{langx|ru|7У8Т|link=no}})
* VLHN ({{langx|ru|ВЛХН|link=no}})
* 217O ({{langx|ru|217О|link=no}})
* ANVF ({{langx|ru|АНВФ|link=no}})
* VZhCH ({{langx|ru|ВЖЦХ|link=no}})
* LNRCh ({{langx|ru|ЛНРЧ|link=no}})
* VShchCH ({{langx|ru|ВЩЦХ|link=no}})
* 34ShchK ({{langx|ru|34ЩК|link=no}})
* YeDGShch ({{langx|ru|ЕДГЩ|link=no}})
* 58Shch1 ({{langx|ru|58Щ1|link=no}})
* 5Ye27 ({{langx|ru|5Е27|link=no}})
* M4Z2 ({{langx|ru|М4З2|link=no}})
* <nowiki/>'M4T ({{langx|ru|ЬМ4Т|link=no}})
* 5PTsB ({{langx|ru|5ПЦБ|link=no}})
* LNTM ({{langx|ru|ЛНТМ|link=no}})
* ZhD9S ({{langx|ru|ЖД9С|link=no}})
* 28YA ({{langx|ru|28ЫА|link=no}})
* KhIZhJ ({{langx|ru|ХИЖЙ|link=no}})
* 53AJ ({{langx|ru|53АЙ|link=no}})
* AMVS ({{langx|ru|АМВС|link=no}})
* V'TD ({{langx|ru|ВЬТД|link=no}})
* YeIYJ ({{langx|ru|ЕИЫЙ|link=no}})
* ODVR ({{langx|ru|ОДВР|link=no}})
* TsZhAP ({{langx|ru|ЦЖАП|link=no}})
* ULVN ({{langx|ru|УЛВН|link=no}})
* ULVN YeFUG ({{langx|ru|УЛВН ЯФУГ|link=no}})
* VKhVS ({{langx|ru|ВХВС|link=no}})
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Radio}}
* [[Duga radar]] (the "Russian Woodpecker")
* [[Letter beacon]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |journal=Popular Communications |date=December 2013 |volume=32 |issue=4 |title=Is Russia's Buzzer a Doorbell to Doomsday? |first=Stephen |last=Handler |pages=31–33 |issn=0733-3315 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|UVB-76}}
* [https://radioabc.com/station/uvb-76/ Live Broadcasting on RadioABC]
* [https://www.numbers-stations.com/russia/uvb-76-the-buzzer/ History and Info on The Buzzer]
* [https://uvb-76.ru/en/ UVB-76 Listen live]
* [[NPR]]'s [https://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1074 Lost and Found Sound], 2000-05-26: [https://www.npr.org/programs/lnfsound/stories/000526.stories.html The Shortwave Numbers Mystery]
* [http://qrg.globaltuners.com/details.php?id=19667 UVB76] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907011142/http://qrg.globaltuners.com/details.php?id=19667 |date=7 September 2019 }} at the [http://qrg.globaltuners.com/ Global Frequency Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330214029/http://qrg.globaltuners.com/ |date=30 March 2013 }}
* [https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/11/features/enigma?page=all Wired.co.uk 2011 article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417024039/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/11/features/enigma?page=all |date=17 April 2016 }}
* [https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170801-the-ghostly-radio-station-that-no-one-claims-to-run The ghostly radio station that no one claims to run], 15th July 2020, By Zaria Gorvett, BBC.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uvb-76}}

[[Category:1970s establishments in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Numbers stations]]
[[Category:Radio in Russia]]
[[Category:Radio in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in the 20th century]]