Since 1982, a radio frequency emanating from Russia has been broadcasting a buzzer-like sound and, periodically, an unknown voice reads orders, names, and numbers. No one knows where exactly it is coming from or what it means.
Russia's Mysterious Buzzer Has Been Broadcasting Since 1982
Tune your radio to 4625 kHz and you'll hear something unsettling: a monotonous buzzing sound, about 25 tones per minute, that never stops. This is UVB-76, nicknamed "The Buzzer," and it's been broadcasting from somewhere in Russia since at least 1982.
Every week or two, the buzzing stops. A voice—sometimes male, sometimes female—reads out a list of Russian names, words, or numbers. Then the buzzing resumes. That's it. That's been happening for over 40 years.
The Station That Never Sleeps
The Buzzer broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It originally transmitted beeps from 1982 to 1992, then switched to the buzzer sound that gave it its nickname. The station has changed its callsign several times: it was UZB-76 until 2010, then became MDZhB, and changed again to ZhUOZ in 2016.
Radio enthusiasts have traced the signal to a military communications hub in Naro-Fominsk, about 40 kilometers southwest of Moscow. But the Russian government has never officially acknowledged the station's existence or purpose.
What's It Actually For?
Nobody knows for sure, but theories abound:
- Dead Hand system: Some speculate it's connected to Russia's semi-automatic nuclear retaliation system, earning it the ominous nickname "Doomsday Radio"
- Channel marker: It may simply keep the frequency occupied so no one else can use it
- Alertness check: A former Lithuanian communications minister suggested the voice messages confirm that operators at receiving stations are awake and monitoring
- Military communication: It's believed to be operated by Russia's Western Military District for encrypted communications
When the Buzzer Gets Chatty
December 11, 2024, was a banner day for The Buzzer. It transmitted 24 voice messages—the most in its entire history. Some of the words broadcast that day were completely nonsensical, deepening the mystery.
The station also gets more active during geopolitical tension. Radio monitors noted a spike in transmissions in the days leading up to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Whatever The Buzzer is saying, someone is apparently listening.
In May 2024, something even stranger happened: an unknown person infiltrated the frequency and tried to contact the station while the buzzer wasn't active. The pirate broadcaster spoke Russian but their identity remains unknown.
Listen for Yourself
You don't need fancy equipment to hear The Buzzer. Anyone with a shortwave radio or online radio receiver can tune to 4625 kHz and listen to one of the internet's—and radio's—most enduring mysteries. Dedicated communities monitor the station around the clock, logging every voice transmission and analyzing the cryptic messages.
Will we ever know what it all means? Probably not. The Russian government isn't talking, and The Buzzer just keeps buzzing. After 40+ years, it's become less of a mystery to solve and more of a constant reminder that some secrets are designed to stay secret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UVB-76 buzzer radio station?
Where does the Russian buzzer broadcast come from?
What is the purpose of Russia's UVB-76 station?
Can anyone listen to the Buzzer radio station?
When did UVB-76 start broadcasting?
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