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DDR Stasi WSA-6 →
HF spy radio burst transceiver
- this page is a stub
- wanted item
WSA-1, 1 also known as
Projekt 2210 or Projekt 32210, was a modular solid-state
long-range spy radio transceiver for high speed (burst) digital
Agent-to-Base communication, developed in the mid-1970s by the OTS of the
Ministerium für Staatsscicherheit (MfS) – better known as
the Stasi – of the former DDR (East-Germany),
and used by the Hauptverwaltung Aufkläurung (HV A).
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The device works in the 3-24 MHz frequency range and produces an output power
of 50 Watt — good for a range of 5000 km. It comprises several modules that
should be interconnected before operation. One of the modules is a keyer
that can hold up to 100 groups of 5 digits each. The message is sent as a
'burst' in just 5.5 sec.
In addition, the set comprises an FLE receiver for the
reception of Base-to-Agent messages.
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This page currently acts as a placeholder for future information about the
WSA-1 spy radio set.
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WSA is the abbreviation of Weitverkehrs-Sende-Anlage
(Long-range transmitter).
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PLEASE HELP —
Crypto Museum has various incomplete parts of the WSA-1 in its collection [1].
It would be great if we could (partly) restore these items, or if we could find
a complete and operational WSA-1 unit.
Furthermore, we have found items that are attributed to the WSA-1, but that have
not yet been identified.
If you want to contribute, please contact us.
The diagram below shows the basic setup of the WSA-1 agent radio station.
At the top left is the WSA-1, consisting of a power supply unit (PSU),
a transmitter (TX), an antenna tuner and a high-speed (burst) keyer.
The transmitter produces an output power of 50 W, which should be sufficient
for the intended range of 5000 km.
The keyer produces a digital signal in a proprietary Stasi format, 1 and sends
the stored data at a speed of 500 baud.
It can hold up to 100 groups of 5 digits each. This means that a burst
transmission never takes longer than 5.5 seconds.
When used with the Umbrella Antenna (32210-64), the antenna tuner
is dropped as it is already integrated with the antenna. Instead, and extra
low-pass filter (LPF) is used in the antenna path.
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The synchronous data format does not use start- and stop-bits, and is
believed to be similar (or identical) to that of the later WSA-6 radio.
It is also likely that a modified morse code could be used as an alternative.
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Umbrella antenna
32210-64
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Crypto Museum has various incomplete parts of the WSA-1 in its collection [1].
It would be great if we could (partly) restore these items, or if we could find
a complete and operational WSA-1 unit. This is an ongoing long-term restoration project
of which the results will be posted on this page.
If you want to contribute, please contact us.
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Device Modular spy radio transceiver Purpose High-speed Agent-Base (burst) communication Model WSA 1 Organisation MfS (Stasi), HV A Development OTS Project 2210, 32210 Country East-Germany (DDR, GDR) Year 1975 ~ Frequency 3-24 MHz Resolution 5 kHz (4200 steps) Waveform A1 (CW) Range 5000 km Output 50W (tuning: 4W) Impedance 50Ω Speed 500 baud Format Proprietary (Stasi) Memory 100 groups (of 5 digits each) Power 24V DC Quantity 300 ~
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- Transmitter WSA-1
- Antenna tuner
- Mains AC PSU, or 12V/24V DC inverter
- Wire and rod antenna
- 24V battery (in container)
- FLE receiver
- High-speed burst keyer
- Accessories
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- WSA-1
- Projekt 2210
- Project 32210
- Gerät 2210 (Device 2210)
- Gerät 32210 (Device 32210)
- Funksendestelle 32210
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Encountered serial numbers
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All devices are marked with a 3-digit serial number, of which the first digit
probably identifies the series. The 100 and 200 series are housed in black
encosures, whilst the 300 and 400 series are housed in blue enclosures.
So far, we've only seen devices that had been reconstructed from disassembled
parts. Many of these parts are badly corroded, probably as a result of storage
in un underground cache, or dumping in a waste bin.
Below is a list of serial numbers we have seen.
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Assuming that the serial numbers started at 101, this list seems to confirm the
total production quantity of ~ 300 units (101-499).
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Document provided by BStU (*4) via Detlev Vreisleben [3].
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Full name: Bundesbeauftragte für die Unterlagen des Staatssicherheitsdienstes
der ehemaligen Deutschen Demokratischen Republik
(DDR) —
Federal Commissioner for the Records of the
State Security Service
of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) —
officially abbreviated BStU.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Saturday 05 July 2025. Last changed: Thursday, 10 July 2025 - 07:28 CET.
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