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The transmitter measures just 17 x 12 x 4 cm and is built around a
single valve (tube).
Despite its small size, it has a built in Power Supply Unit (PSU) that
allows the device to be connected directly to the 110 or 220V AC mains.
At the front right is the power plug. The 3-pin DIN plug at the left
is for connection to the accompanying
Kurzsignalgeber (KSG),
an external electromechanical burst encoder
[1].
Two banana-type sockets at the right side are for connection to the
wire antenna (red) and a suitable counterpoise or GROUND wire (black).
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The small device at the right is an optional Antenna Monitor that was
used to assist when tuning the antenna for maximum power output.
At the front are three knobs: a black one for selection of the desired
frequency range, plus a red and a green knob for the built-in antenna
tuner [3].
A suitable crystal for the desired frequency should be inserted into the
socket at the front left. Two neon lamps and a small glow lamp are
present for assistance during antenna turing. They are visible through
small holes in the top of the case. The rightmost neon lamp (above the
green knob was omitted from a later version of the transmitter. The initial
version of the FS-8 was suitable for frequencies between 3 and
15 MHz (later enhanced to: 3 - 16 MHz).
The FS-8 was succeeded around 1960 by the FS-7,
a more powerful transmitter (20W) with an external power supply unit,
built by Pfitzner in Germany.
The FS-7 became part of the SP-15 spy radio set
that was used for more than two decades. During the first years of the
SP-15,
the Kurzsignalgeber (KSG) was still used as
the burst encoder, until it was replaced by the
RT-3.
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The name FS-8 has not officially been confirmed.
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Confusingly, some official BStU 3 documents [5] use the abbreviation
KSG for Kurzwellen-Sendegerät (Short Wave Transmitter) rather than
for Kurzsignalgeber (burst encoder). 'KSG' was used in conjunction
with the FS-8 as well as with the later FS-7 (SP-15) transmitter.
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BStU is the Bundesbehörde für die Stasi-Unterlagen,
the Federal Commisioner for the Records of the State Security Service (Stasi)
of the former German Democratic Republic (DDR).
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In order to minimise the chance of detection and interception,
the FS-8 was supplied with a so-called burst encoder,
a small device that allowed a pre-recorded messages to be
played back in morse code at very high speed. This minimised
the time 'on air', and hence reduced the risk of detection,
interception and capture.
The image on the right shows the Kurzsignalgeber
(KSG) that was designed to complement the KSG-Sender.
➤ More information
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The FS-8 is extremely small considering its age,
especially when we realise that the mains PSU is built-in.
The image on the right [2] shows the interior, seen from the
top. The AC transformer is at the rear right, with a neon
indicator on top.
The only valve is at the far left. The image gives a clear
view of the band selector and the antenna tuning capacitors.
At the front right are the two banana sockets for the antenna
and the ground (counterpoise). Both sockets are white here.
In the foreground the DIN plug for connection to the KSG
burst encoder.
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- Frequency ranges: 3-4, 4-6, 6-10 and 10-15 MHz
- Frequency ranges: 3-5.6, 5.6-8.2, 8.2-13.2, 13.2-16 MHz
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Although no documentation has been found to date to support this,
it is believed that there were two versions of the FS-8 (KSG-Sender),
and that model 2 was the later one [1].
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Crypto Museum are currently looking for a FS-8 to complement the
KSG burst encoder
in our collection. If you have one available, or if
you know where to find one, please contact us.
Furthermore, any additional documentation and real-life stories about
the use of the F-8 (KSG-Sender) are most welcome.
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Kindly supplied by Detlev Vreisleben [1].
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- Detlev Vreisleben, Images, documentation and backgrounds of KSG and KSG-Sender
Personal correspondence. December 2014. December 2016.
- Günter Hütter, Interior of the FS-8
Crypto Museum, July 2009.
- Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), KSG Operating instructions (German)
Date unknown, probably around 1957. 6 pages diary format. 1
- Helmut 'Jim' Meyer, HS0ZHK, My way to Ham - Radio and beyond
Website QRZ.COM. Personal correspondence.
- BStU 000476, Kurzwellen-Sendegerät (KSG) älter Bauart...
VVS JHS o001 - 70/88. Page 145. 1
- BStU 000477, Modernes zweiteiliges halbautomatisches Kurzwellen-Sendegerät (KSG)...
VVS JHS o001 - 70/88. Page 146. 1
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Kindly supplied by Detlev Vreisleben [1].
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Friday 05 December 2014. Last changed: Monday, 14 September 2020 - 08:53 CET.
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![FS-8 (KSG-Sender) from the former collection of Detlev Vreisleben [1]](img/302040/000/full.jpg)
![Interior of the FS-8 (KSG-Sender) [2]](img/302040/003/full.jpg)
