How do I qualify for the Enigma Award?

By submitting a 100% correct copy of the enciphered message, as sent in Morse code. The aim is to use your C.W. skills to produce an accurate intercept that could be used to decipher

the message. The signal may be fading, there may be other stations close by making copy difficult,

the frequency in use may not be good for reception, but accuracy is crucial.

Will it matter if I miss the odd letter due to a burst of static?

Yes, the message has to be complete

Will the CW operator repeat a word if asked.

No. The operator will refer you to the next transmission time.

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

What will be the speed of the Morse transmission?

15 WPM.    This is a speed easily reached by fairly competent Morse enthusiasts. We hope this will encourage newcomers to attempt to copy this historical transmission. This may appear slow to some experts but copying letters and figures will not be easy. Any characters missed cannot be guessed.

Will German accented letters be used?

No.

Which frequency will be best for my location?

(See table of broadcast times)

This depends entirely on your location.  The UK and most of Europe should be covered by the transmissions on 7015 KHz during the day, but we are almost at the trough of a sunspot cycle and this band is very poor at the moment. You may not hear us on this band. However, most of Europe and the UK should hear our transmission on 3515 KHz. in the evening.  Stations further afield and North America should hear us on 14015 KHz. We have a broadcast on 10115 KHz on the second day just in case there is interference from the ARI DX contest on the usual bands on the Sunday.

Do I have to be a licenced radio amateur to apply for the award?

No.  Anyone who submits an accurate copy of the message, with the correct fee, will qualify.  Please write your name exactly as you wish to have it recorded on the certificate.

However, licenced radio amateurs and listeners can also have a matching QSL card if they provide the usual details of the contact/reception report.

How long will it take to receive the award?

It is difficult to give an accurate estimate. We cannot order the printing of certificates until we know the approximate number required.  This award appears to have captured the imagination of licenced amateurs, listeners and Enigma enthusiasts alike and our web site "hits" are measured in

thousands. We should be able to order within a couple of weeks and would hope to distribute these within 4-6 weeks.

Do I have to decipher the Enigma message?

No.  The aim is for you to submit the enciphered message exactly as sent, which was the task of

the V.I in the 1940's.  

I am an Enigma enthusiast and wish to use my modern computer to crack the code, Will I get an extra award?

No. This is an interceptor award, in tribute to the V.I's. However you will be able to check your software on a genuine message and gain personal satisfaction.

If I crack the code, what will be the language of the message?

English.

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 de-cription 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.