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The burst encoder described on this page is one of the simplest methods
of sending information in morse code at high speed. It's a manually
operated device that was used with the earliest Russian spy radio sets
during the 1950, such as the Electron
and the R-350 (Orel).
It uses standard 35 mm photo film for the storage of messages.
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The device shown here is the actual burst encoder, which should normally be attached to the side of the radio set. A small two-pin plug is used to
connect it to the morse key input of the transmitter. It combines three
functions.
At the front of the device is a small (black) morse key, which can be used
to send messages directly in morse code. For this, the operator must - of
course - be trained in morse code first. Sending messages directly in morse
code was not general practice and would only be practiced in case of
emergency.
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If the operator was not capable of sending messages in morse code, he could
use an 'electric pen', stored inside the device, to send numbers in morse
by sliding the pen through one of 10 'slots' on top of the device.
Inside the slots, the morse pattern for each number (0-9) was layed out in
copper. All the operator had to do, was to slide the pen through the
appropriate slot with a constant speed. Again, this method would only be
used in case of emergency.
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In normal use, the numerical message would be stored on photo film
first, using a separate punching device. The Russians used standard
35 mm film rolls, as this was commonly available around the world
and would not attract attention when bought by an agent.
The film would be entered into a slot of the puncher and the operator only
has to press the appropriate buttons on top of the device. Each number was
represented by a single hole in the film and the film was automatically
advanced by one step on each key press.
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Once the message was complete, the film was entered into a similar slot
at the front of the morse key. Once the connection with headquarters
was established, the operator would use a small hand crank to advance the
film at a regular speed through the encoder (see the images below).
One has to bear in mind that all messages were converted into a series
of numbers first, using some kind of cipher method. This is called a
pre-coded message. Various systems were deployed to encipher a message,
ranging from simple matrix operations to advanced One Time Pads (OTP).
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