[inforoots] ENIGMA MACHINE TO BE REACTIVATED AFTER 60 YEARS

[Curtis A. Jones]

http://www.sseg.co.uk./
has an announcement from the Scarborough Special 
Events Group about messages coded with an Enigma
mcahine to be transmitted by radio on the 7th and 8th
of May.

A few excerpts from the FAQ on the site:

"
What form will the message take?

This will be a genuine message enciphered on Enigma
machine No. M1443, a three rotor Military model.  The
text will consist of about four five-letter groups
which will contain a tribute to the Voluntary
Interceptors of WWII.  A preamble will then be added. 
There were many different Enigma message preambles,
depending of which armed service originated the
message and these also changed as the war progressed. 
We have chosen a typical preamble used in the 1940's.
: preamble is just as important as the text because
this contains vital information as to the cipher
settings and group count.  

Example:

CQ  DE  GB2HQ =  Enigma message = 

1230  20 VPX  PXG  =

YPAWK CQZDL WAFRU BKEXM =  RPT  (repeat once)  AR
"

"
I am very interested in learning about the history of
the Enigma machine. Is there any way I can learn how
to crack the code?

Yes. We will publish the complete settings we use to
encipher our message. These will include such settings
as the Rotor order, Ring settings, Plug Board
settings, and Indicator settings.  We will also give
links to web sites where you can download Enigma
decription software with full instructions, so that
you can try it out for yourself.  
"

"
Will you be repeating this exercise in future years?

This is very unlikely. We are indebted to OFCOM, the
UK communications regulator for giving permission to
transmit an enciphered Enigma message on the amateur
radio bands. Permission was granted under the strict
understanding that this was a one-off dispensation for
this 60th anniversary event, on the 7th and 8th May
2005 only. An Enigma message has not been heard on the
air for some 60 years.  We think this will be the last
time it is every heard. Our final transmission will be
at 1900 UTC on Sunday 8th May on 3515 KHz - the 60th
Anniversary of VE day. You will be taking part in a
moment of history. After our last transmission, we
think that it will probably, like the Spark
transmitter, fall silent for evermore. We thank you
for your interest and hope that you qualify for this
unique award.    
"
 
This news came through the Long Island Wireless
History Society.   Curtis