Embassy radio
As message radio is radio communication between the diplomatic offices ( embassies , consulates , etc.) and the country of origin, respectively. The purpose is to ensure secure and interference-free communication, regardless of national communication networks and commercial providers.
history
In the 1920s, shortwave tube transmitters were installed in many embassies, which sent messages to the respective home country by means of Morse code telegraphy. Political and strategic messages were mostly encrypted. Since embassies have always been an important location for intelligence activities, the transmission of messages from diplomatic missions to the home country became increasingly important in the run-up to and during the Second World War .
With the beginning of the Cold War , attention was paid to a communication infrastructure that was independent of the host country and shortwave networks were systematically installed between the embassies and the home country worldwide.
When all means of public communication, including satellite connections, failed on September 11, 2001 in the Washington and New York area, the Swiss government maintained contact with the Swiss embassy in Washington via its embassy radio system.
Even with the severe earthquake in Chile in May 2010, the regular communication channels failed or were overloaded. The German embassy in Santiago remained connected to the Foreign Office in Berlin via radio and coordinated its employees in Chile via an internal radio network.
technology
Shortwave radio is traditionally used in embassy radio . In the beginning, messages were transmitted by Morse code, later by radio telex and fax (image transmission). International satellite radio is playing an increasingly important role, and this can also be easily monitored. Radio signals from embassies are often of interest for signal intelligence in other countries. The electronic intelligence organizations of governments, such as the National Security Agency (USA), the Government Communications Headquarters (UK), the Försvarets Radioanstalt (Sweden), the " Bundesstelle für Fernmeldestatistik " (Department 2 of the Federal Intelligence Service ) and others intercept the radio traffic of foreign embassies and evaluate the information obtained.
Germany
The Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany operated a shortwave radio network in order to stay in contact with its embassies and consulates around the world.
It was completely replaced by Internet communication, and the shortwave antennas in Bonn were dismantled in the late 1990s.
Switzerland
The Switzerland operated a shortwave radio network for their messages. This was operated by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) .
The Swiss Army also ensured the training and further education of military specialists for use in extraordinary situations. The Command Support Brigade 41 (FU Br 41 ) was responsible for this.
The operation of the Swiss embassy radio was stopped in 2015.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Embassy radio ( Memento of the original from February 15, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Website of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport .
