MOSCOW — A mysterious "ghost radio station" operating out of Russia is broadcasting secret messages to spies, according to a signals intelligence expert. <br /> <br />The station, nicknamed the Buzzer, has been emitting a short, monotonous buzz tone since the Cold War, with reports saying it started as early as 1973 to as late as 1982. <br /> <br />No one has ever admitted to running the station, which has spawned a number of conspiracy theories, including that it is staffed by ghosts. <br /> <br />The station broadcasts 24 hours a day on a frequency of 4625 kilohertz. It emits 25 buzz tones per minute, which is sometimes interrupted by Russian voices that appear to be talking in code. <br /> <br />Up until 2010, the station officially identified itself as UVB-76, but then switched to MDZhb. <br /> <br />Like all international radio stations, the Buzzer broadcasts shortwave signals that can travel for thousands of miles and be received all over the world. <br /> <br />Some have speculated that the station is programed to retaliate if Russia is ever hit by a nuclear attack. But David Stupples, an expert in signals intelligence from City University, London told BBC News he ruled that theory out for technical reasons. <br /> <br />Instead, Stupples said the station is probably a tool to communicate in times of crisis with Russian spies overseas and military personnel stationed in remote areas.
