G14 – DFC37 / DFD21 German Numbers Station

G14 was a numbers station operated by the West German Federal Intelligence Service (BND).  It was first observed in the early 1970’s, but could have been active earlier.  The first message format was different. Instead of phonetic alphabet and singular numbers, the station call up was “HIER IST DFC SEBENUNDDREISSIG” or “HIER IST DFD EINUNDZWANZIG” (Here is DFC 37 or Here is DFD 21) in a pre-recorded voice.

The messages were then sent by a live announcer, until they completely switched to a synthesized voice in November 1988.  Used the German military radio variant for 2, 5, and 9 spoken as “zwo”, “fünnef”, and “neuen.”  Like many of the other East and West German Numbers Stations, it went inactive in the early 1990’s, likely due to the German unification.

Note: In the Conet Project with this station and other number stations in Family 6 there is an inaccurate transcription of the message announcements. In the notes of the Conet Project they list this as “Es folgen talon für”. This is not the proper term, and is incorrect German. The actual announcement is “Es folgen Mitteilungen für”, meaning ‘messages for … are following’.)

DFC37 and DFD21 were also included on a confidential Frequency List compiled by Geoffrey Halligay which claims they were legal callsigns and the transmitter was located in Frankfurt, Germany (West Germany at the time).  It wasn’t certain if these callsigns were actually registered though.  We know the station is related to the other BND stations since it uses the same automated voice and formats.

A declassified polish counter-intelligence document includes information about the cryptography, encryption, and decryption of the station.

Message Sample with Automated Voice, Post 1988

The Guide to Utility Stations by Joerg Klingenfuss also claimed G14 was run by the Deutsche Bundespost (German post office).  It was possible that they could have transmitted the messages, but they would have received which messages to send from the BND.

Schedule

DFC37 and DFD21 transmitted daily from 15:00 to 22:00 UTC.  DFC37 transmitted on 3370 kHz and DFD21 transmitted on 4010 kHz.  Messages began on the hour in AM mode, and the same message repeated on the half hour in USB.

Both callsigns shared the same recipient ID’s.

–	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
2	107	204	316	400		619	735	811	904
12	114	211	323	411		623	784	817	914
20	116	225	330	413		641	792	821	925
36	117	229	336	414		644		823	934
44	121	236	354	423		651		827	991
47	129	237	356	426		680		832
62	130	251	387	428				840
65	134	259	397	431				846
69	147	261		435				851
74	154	273		450				852
79	157	278		471				867
83		291		483				872
85		295		490				880
94								890
95

G14a

G14a was a variant that did not have the phonetic call up in the preamble, and was read by a live announcer.

DFD21 with Flute Melody Intro in the 1970’s

More recordings can be seen on the archived page of Simon Mason’s website.