How to monitor Ham Radio frequencies in the Russian-Ukraine war

In this video I want to share some of the frequencies to monitor regarding the war in Ukraine. Please be mindful that we should keep emergency frequencies clear and be 'ears only'.
Here's a few links that you can use to monitor activity:
MW Broadcast stations: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
DMR rooms: wiki.brandmeister.network/ind...
Useful article: www.armadainternational.com/2...
Russian Ground force transmissions: priyom.org/military-stations/...
Open Source Intelligence in Ukraine: nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/...
More Ukraine-Russia conflict radio related news (good read!): www.rtl-sdr.com/radio-related...
Frequencies to monitor: anonymouswe22/sta...
Guide to fact checking: firstdraftnews/st...
Shadowbreak OSINT support: sbreakintl/status...
Shadowbreak: shadowbreakintl.com/
OpRussianRadio translators: / xateond
Anon freq pastebin (subject to change): notes.anonpaste.org/?38cfcfec...
I'm a licensed amateur radio operator from the United Kingdom. My KZbin channel features videos focusing on operating portable radio from various locations plus how to videos, tutorials, insights and conversations in the hobby.

[@billsbullets]

Spot on mate. 👍As a former soldier in the Signal Corps the best thing to do is listen only. Ukrainian forces would appreciate a clean clear spectrum to communicate with.

[@memorgan1]

Im also former military (RAMC) but what taught me to listen more than talk is being married, I cant get a word in !! 73

[@fido3561]

@@memorgan1 🤣🤣👍

[@jamesslick4790]

It's times like these that we are reminded that RADIO will always be the "go to" communications medium. TV, Internet and cellular networks are a "fragile" and can be taken down quickly, But 100s or 1000s of ordinary radio transmitters? Not so much. Any time "shit gets real" I grab my SW receiver and a long wire to see if I can get the REAL story.

[@ohgosh5892]

TV and Cell networks are radio networks. The internet also includes radio. Not sure where you've been living.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@ohgosh5892 Yes, TV and cell networks use radio, but need far more complicated and centralized control systems. Much easier to take down than individual basic radio transmitters.

[@ohgosh5892]

​@@jamesslick4790 An isolated radio station is as useful as a one-ended bridge. Radio stations have to be networked to be of any use. They only work with power, it has to come from somewhere. The operators have to be fed and watered, and have to sleep. All of that has to come from somewhere. Your fantasy is great fun, but it is quite unrealistic. Are you a prepper?

[@joelandjen]

@@ohgosh5892 I can generate my own power from a generator or solar panels. I have plenty of food, and I have a bed to sleep in. And my shortwave radio has allowed me to stay in touch with people when the networks are down. We have regularly established networks for exchange of information, including third party messages. My ham radio doesn't depend on anyone but me...and it has come in handy in an emergency. So, no, it is not "unrealistic." It is very real. No, I am not a prepper...but ham radio and shortwave broadcasts will always have a very real, practical application.

[@ohgosh5892]

@@joelandjen "I have plenty of food" For an hour? A day? A week? A year? And your water supply, who provides it? Who provides diesel for your generator? Who are the other stations, and how is it that they happen to be in a place which needs information which you happen to have? You are living some bizarre fantasy out here, aren't you? You sound like you need psychological help to me.

[@wayneskiba1237]

Very important information, I really appreciate you, Carl. for taking the time and explaining all the issues that are going on with radio communication within the Ukraine, some really great advice, thank you for sharing this important information.

[@thork0tjt515]

Thank you for the update Carl. Great content. Keep the info coming. 73

[@victorgalagan1151]

Thank you SIr. You have provided a lot of great and common sense info.

[@myawsomevideos456]

Thank you so much for this information 🙏🏾🙏🏾 it's good to know the community is actively paying attention to what's going on in Ukraine

[@kissingbanditt]

Incredible content. I LOVE it. Thank you for doing this. Please make more. I tried some HF bands here in Canada but dont hear anything. Thumbs up sir!

[@l.a.2646]

I'm on the east coast of the US and I could hear some last night. try different times... for us in North America it's difficult .

[@624radicalham]

@@l.a.2646 hear some what and on what frequencies? Would be helpful if you explain what you heard.

[@HamRadio2]

Great info, thanks for sharing

[@AB1Vampire]

Thank you for posting will give a listen today.

[@andrewneil8060]

Nice IC-705 and SDR, and great info!

[@scottbelcher9026]

Thank you for this information!!!

[@Oscar-fq1rb]

Excellent information, much appreciated.

[@SaintSaint]

Thank you for your thoughts

[@adlapl]

Thank you, it was educational! :)

[@nathanbieber2840]

That SDR looks beast! Love it has its own heat sink

[@Swede4Trump]

Greetings from Sweden. You sir just got yourself a new subscriber. Great stuff on this channel! Glory to Ukraine!

[@M0SZT]

Welcome aboard!

[@jamescopeland5358]

Thank you, great information

[@Very_Dark_Engineer]

Thank you for mentioning our country and thank for support from your country! I have a somewhat detuned standard radio with which I was able to receive signals below 150 kHz and at frequencies of 145-148 kHz there was a signal which I had not heard before, probably for military purposes. The sound is constantly repeated, sounds like "beep-beep". There is also about 139 kHz digital transmission, but it existed 3 years ago.

[@terrydavis8451]

Surender is the only moral thing to do...especially since Washington is the one who pushed for this war for the last 30-40 years. Your country belongs in the soviet sphere of influence and NATO should have not gone any further than Germany. But hey our billionaires need to make weapons sales somehow.

[@vince_only_way_is_up]

your a v ery decent bloke carl and good advice and well judged of current situations

[@JamesWilson-gw2ij]

Good man with great intentions x

[@hardenpt2522]

We tuned in on 20m this past weekend. 14.145 and 14.275. I could monitor their qso but could not make it over on ssb. Made it over on CW but was monitoring a high school websdr outside of Kyiv.

[@Sky1]

I worked Ukraine on CW the other day

[@nickmad887]

Thanks Carl.

[@smooth0perator303]

Thank you!

[@FloridaRadioMan]

Great video and spot on advice! I hope everyone acts as they should on the air. 73 de Jesse - WW4FL

[@madjack8893]

Appreciate you. 73

[@Stun-69]

Really interesting video mate. Duly subscribed

[@M0SZT]

Nice one

[@bonho]

Hello from Ukraine and thank you

[@penzman5385]

Interesting. Thanks!

[@Klapos]

it looks hard, but still interesting, thanks

[@markmontgomery9722]

thanks for putting this up great info more please love it

[@gabryelfox9722]

Thank you for guide

The BBC has revived their world service broadcast to Europe on 5875 kHz from 20 to 22 UTC. The BBC ceased broadcasting their service to Europe since a couple of years.

[@cinny2222]

Great Vid and Advice Carl Has the Mobile Phone System been Knocked ut Altogether in the Ukraine? I have a Friends over there , Not heard from them for last Couple of Days .

[@Gokraut]

Great video

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

great video

[@somethingelse4878]

Ive used a online receiver so no radio only pc Where or how can i tune in to war broadcasts

[@midoedo]

Can you identify military digital comms in vhf band?

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks

[@kevinhillman1201]

Nothing Specific in terms of researched frequencies? Can't find the link he mentioned?

[@barrywendon5168]

Thanks Carl for the info nice on your Culinary skills makes me hungry Hi. Good video's as always 73 Carl de G6JMX

[@microminiskirt]

COMING INTO THIS AS A NOVICE, WHICH RADIO AND MODEL WOULD BE NEEDED AND RECOMMENDED? ARE THERE SPECIAL SKILLS NEEDED TO OPERATE RADIO EQUIPMENT TO MONITOR THIS WAR?

[@M0SZT]

Have a read up of SDR dongles (RTL-SDR) quite cheap to buy, lots of websites and videos show how to set these up

[@ssgeek4515]

Same applies to cb though not a international range obviously but gloucestershire to France do-able (with 4 watts)

[@billybowling5194]

I have a question!! I like watching you. Not a ham yet but I am in the process and i have several local friends that are. My question! How many hams you know that can afford one of those SUNSDR2 to or DX? Those guys are few and far between here in Louisville KY. I know there's many basic affordable SDR videos on KZbin but it would be nice if you did some. Thx. Keep Up The good work

[@desmoface]

Great video. What SDR software are you using on your Mac? I have an Afedri SDR that I was using but my pc died and I’m going to replace it with a Mac. 73’s de kb8viv.

[@M0SZT]

I’ve got a SunSDR transceiver that uses it’s own software called ExpertSDR2

[@kurosaki9363]

What is happening on 7065 LSB?

[@G6EJD]

Can I ask where you get your rugged orange cases from please, I need one for my radios and going portable, thanks

[@M0SZT]

Got those from Amazon

[@G6EJD]

@@M0SZT great, found them, ideal

[@viisteist1363]

3:19 - what app and frequency even is that? 1,6mhz?

[@simen9485]

7933 was interesting to monitor for a while..

[@supyrow]

Yup, ears only

[@johnnymn4monic726]

I've just gotten into HAM about 7 months ago and I'm still learning, very new beginner. Can someone point me to a page that holds live stream of various HF channels that I can purely listen to? I checked that YSF page, but I didn't see anywhere you could just click and listen and while I do have multiple DMR's, I don't have the neccessary equipment on my PC to tune in. Is there some software I need to download?

[@M0SZT]

Search google for webSDR and you can operate other HF receivers

[@bsgaming3773]

What software were you using to see the spectrum that you saw traffic

[@M0SZT]

It's ExpertSDR3 built for the SunSDR radio

[@sunsoundz]

Which SDR software do you use on your iMac?

[@M0SZT]

It's part of the Expert Electronic SDR2 Pro hardware control, it's written just for the hardware, it's a Russian owned company ironically.

[@nobodynoone2500]

The tweet has been banned, what were the freqs?

[@georgewaters8592]

Very good info, I will view this again later and take notes. Indeed, radio will always be the preferred means of communication when times get bad. Praying for Peace. 73s... SSB 127 M

[@simontemplar0468]

Hello again. I agree with what you said...we need to stay off the radar and remain radio silent on the repeaters in the Ukraine... time to gather Intel. Thank you for what you said. It was eloquently said. 73 my friend. de W0OKE from Portland, Oregon

[@Isochest]

Good point.

[@mm7bvp]

Time to gather intel? .. Leave that to the professionals.

[@M0SZT]

Incorrect, open source intelligence material is now being used to validate war crimes committed by the Russians. Hours of radio intercepts recorded by amateurs is being used.

[@mm7bvp]

@@M0SZT my comment was an observation meriting neither an incorrect or correct retort. I don't understand in my experience army intelligence deals with intelligence, it is identified, developed integrated and graded as you know. What I don't understand that if hams are so important in "collecting open source Intel" why have they banned ham radio? Just saying

[@Isochest]

@@mm7bvp In times of war radio amateurs were used as listeners. Amateurs doing this today can listen to and record any activity and may indeed find anything that breaches international conventions.

[@kevmichael2064]

It is sad to see this happening 😔... been watching It on the Webcam from Kiev...but no Shortwave

[@marybaker8582]

I am at a loss whether or not I can listen in on my shortwave. Is it possible?

[@M0SZT]

Depends on the frequency your antenna set up plus propagation

[@DNYS8N]

I was wanting to listen to short wave radio for under $200. After research, you tube, and reviews I am more lost than when I started. Even if I buy a 300 dollar unit I am doubtful it will work. I live in a valley so I think I’ll need to make some funky antennae modifications. I guess I’ll need an external jack for an antennae, maybe wire. Not sure what kind of wire. I was thinking about connecting it to some fencing. Any ideas? (My experience is seldom does anything work unless you know the trade secrets.)

[@M0SZT]

Buy an RTL-SDR dongle (about £20), RG58 coax with PL259 connectors, use a PL259 to SMA adapter cable (to make the coax fit the dongle), buy some speaker wire (20m?) buy a banana plug 🔌 that fits into a PL259 through the wire over a fence in a loop

[@DNYS8N]

@@M0SZT Not sure what a dongle us or where to buy one but isn’t that a computer software thing. What actually goes into the radio in your instructions? I get the banana plugs are used to co next wire but I’m not sure on how a banana plug fits into a PL259? I also don’t know how a connector like SMA connects to the bigger plug found on PL259, I must not be talking about what you are talking about. Bit let’s say it all fits why am I doing electronic gymnastics to get an antennae up and running? I know I must be daft but please be patient.

[@robertthomason8905]

My search for answers is mostly data from the past. Radio transmissions are pretty much real time. I do think that the information (assuming it is accurate) could be used to help or hurt. Disinformation and misinformation can help or hurt persons not involved. The wow signal had embedded information that is coming to light. The native American Indian used smoke signals. Tangent.

[@GrayOperative]

What software are you running?

[@M0SZT]

Expertsdr

[@daviddurflinger3104]

I stand corrected, I was wrong, it seems that the Russian military is not scrambling ALL of their transmissions, however do you speak Russian? I don't, I wonder if Google has a translator that you could feed this through, thanks for the videos, sorry for the first comments, hope you didn't take it personally, at times especially in war anything is possible.

[@Skunkhunt_42]

Great, im tuned in! Now if only I had a Ukrainian wife to translate all this chatter

[@n1kkri]

Would anyone know of a few DMR active Ukraine talk groups or has that been banned too.

[@M0SZT]

I've seen many people sitting on the emergency talk groups monitoring, not sure about the rest, you can see any activity on brandmiester dashboards. Mobile network still up and running, maybe check some Zello channels. zello.com/

[@mike94560]

I saw something odd last night on about 4478khz. Signal sweeping over about 30khz. Looks like dots on the waterfall. So some sort of digital signal. Using a big vertical antenna. QTH Calif.

[@TheVicar]

I've been scanning through the WebSDR's in Ukraine since last night and it was difficult to get onto them as obviously they've been quite busy and I've just seen that 4 of the 5 have now been shut down...

[@TheVicar]

The final SDR in Dnepr just went offline.

[@YouTube_User_9]

I heard something similar around that area last night when I was scanning around the SW bands.

[@daic7274]

I have also seen similar.

[@iandoyle3695]

Hi Mike, Likely sweep jamming from either RU or UA. There are 3 main types of jamming that NATO E.W. recognizes. Spot, sweep and barrage. Spot is one Frequency and one moment with any given power output. Sweep is multiple frequencies over a single "bandwidth" with variably sized steps. Barrage is a true bandwidth covering multiple frequencies typically at a VERY high power output. Have fun with that info. - an EW nerd

[@brianfields4479]

Let's remember walls have ears , and as we are only hobbyest ,and what's happening is life and death, best not say out I reckon.

[@twoheart7813]

Though messages are coded I like to monitor US Air Force HF-GCS frequencies just for activity monitoring, 8992 & 11175 KHz USB are my fave frequencies. They are mainly used to pass on instructions and more common are the Emergency Action Messages (EAMs), which begin with a 6 letter header.

[@allenriek8057]

Take care my brother, 73, N8PPX

[@francesbernard2445]

That music sometimes being detected when using Ham radio to detect Soviet signals which some people call Buzzer is a lot more sinister and strategic than a lot of people realize.

[@IsraelAdesanyaaa]

Why

[@splortz]

Not to put too fine of a point on things, but the country is called "Ukraine", not "The Ukraine". Thank you for your informative post.

[@nathanbieber2840]

Do Rus and Ukr use encryption or like freq hop like US does?

[@M0SZT]

Freq hopping I presume however I’ve seen photos of captured radio equipment used by conscripts it was a cheap 2/70 dual band handheld.

[@nathanbieber2840]

@@M0SZT ya i actually saw a photo of a ukraine soldier using a baogeng -wønlb

[@kunnandi]

Man I want to do this, but I don't have the equipment or the money, any tips on getting into this?

[@M0SZT]

Search google for WebSDR's, have a look on Techminds youtube channel for setting up your own SDR receivers.

[@job1685]

Good advice!

[@sbateson67]

I must admit Carl have a look at FT 8 there are couple of signals coming out of Ukraine .

[@thecaravanham]

I'm guessing all radio comes under the blanket ban and includes FT8. So well done to the G0 station that spotted his FT8 contact on the DX cluster!!!

[@kathybilski5375]

Wish I could get my DMR working, just to listen

[@jrpefx]

Great Info Thumbs Up, Thank You & 73 de KM6LBW

[@georgehaha6969]

There is an amateur radio ban in force for 30-days as of the 24th Feb in Ukraine. There has been official guidance released by the RSGB fron the VP of the Ukrainian amateur radio society and the Secretary of IARU Region 1. Details can be found on the RSGB website and will also be announced in our GB2RS news broadcasts on Sunday the 27th Feb. Best 73 and stay safe, MM0JNL dr16.

[@daveycrockett9447]

Exactly- not sure why this you tuber thinks there is going to be any activity when there is a ban in effect in ukraine- lol

[@JDtheEE]

@@daveycrockett9447 that wasn't the point. The point he tries to get at is that you can listen to Russian ground forces, and local big broadcast (state run) stations in Ukraine.

[@antiglobaljoel532]

@@daveycrockett9447 He's speaking about monitoring Russian and Ukrainian military frequencies.

[@georgehaha6969]

@@JDtheEE Every radio amateur operator is aware that they can listen to certain military radio traffic. As a district representative for the RSGB it is my duty to highlight the facts of the situation. Also it is NOT the job of ill informed individuals to deliver ANY advice regarding such matters. My concern and that of the RSGB is the awareness of the amateur radio ban in Ukraine.

[@Isochest]

I noticed how quiet it was out east. Thanks for sharing this info

[@variousbirdspecieshahaha]

Best book to buy from Amazon for a ham radio novice?

[@M0SZT]

In the UK the RSGB foundation book

[@m0bob]

I presume the majority of radio transmissions will be in Russian. It's going to be difficult for most of us to understand what the conversations mean.

[@JonasTisell]

And Ukrainian of course

[@AG7SM]

I see you have the SunSDR2 Pro. As an owner of the SunSDR2 DX, I am now concerned with the effect of potential sanctions on the ability to get software updates (or any updates at all) from Expert Electronics in Russia. Of course there are more important things than a radio, lives are at stake. But it is still something I'm thinking about.

[@jimstand]

That is what you get for supporting a criminal country. Too bad.

[@winterburan]

@@jimstand are you referring to the USA with its NATO or to Russia? because it's hard to understand, let's look at why it happened, not who did it.

[@jimstand]

@@winterburan Russia is the criminal country. I hope everything people bought from Russia stops working.

[@jimstand]

@@winterburan You are gaslighting me and the other readers. This started off about Russian software. You have added nothing to the discussion other than lies. Good bye

[@folkishappalachian6827]

@@winterburan there is a lot wrong with the us and nato, but no one made russia invade but russia, no one made russia lie about "training exercises" but russia

[@StevenRotelli]

What software is this

[@M0SZT]

SDRPro2 Expert electronics

[@jeffreypetchharrison4363]

ok ham radio in ukrane what about CW the army do not use it or train for it we still do ..jeff..

[@kb5elv]

One thing ... The name of the country is Ukraine. As someone pointed out on my Facebook feed earlier, correctly, the region was called "the Ukraine" when it was under Soviet dominion. Since it became an independent country, it has been Ukraine, with no definite article.

[@georgehaha6969]

Excellent point and well said 👏 👍 👌

[@yrath5034]

Oh shut up and listen to what he is saying instead of rattling off your pedantic corrections on the use of language. He's making valid points and I'm sure that Ukrainians on the ground won't care one bit about him using "the definite article".

[@kb5elv]

@@yrath5034 Except they do, and it's important. And not to discount the material, which is excellent.

[@yrath5034]

@@kb5elv I live an hour from the border and my wife is part Ukrainian, believe me they have bigger problems and right now they don't care about how you refer to their country in the English language. They just need help. Going around commenting and correcting this is a meme and pointless. Help them in other ways, not being the definite article police.

[@kb5elv]

@@yrath5034 Of course they have, and no,body's discounting that. Least of all me. My daughter's homeland is important to me. None of that negates that what we call things is important.

[@leedully8123]

HAM radio banned because it could make them an RF target !

[@thomasmaughan4798]

As well, many Russians exist in Ukraine and may well be sympathetic to the invasion which those particular Russians, especially in the east (Donbas), will see as a liberation; at least for a while.

[@yesman6559]

Yes

[@M0SZT]

Yes

[@johnallsopp8260]

Interesting video Carl. 73 de John G4YDM

[@phungyi4947]

Stay indoors and do a bit of radio. You know it makes sense!

[@alexbrooyservice3354]

Tonight rassists (i call them so like fascists) bombed the city transmitter in my city of Vinnytsia. TV is down. Radio is so-so. Do you have video how to locate radiotransmitter via some sdr tools ? I mean finding direction to Tx'er by 5wo points and get the coordinates of the source. We have some plenty collaborators with drones and trying to find them. Thank you.

[@jsee2385]

Serious question. Why have ham radio for an emergency, when the gov. just implements a ban during state of emergency? You can prolly do an entire video because I'm sure this is a multi faceted ques/anws

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"Why have ham radio for an emergency, when the gov. just implements a ban during state of emergency?" Ham radio is great for personal emergencies; not so great for national emergencies and wartime.

[@cdorcey1735]

@@thomasmaughan4798 As long as there's a government to enforce the rules, the emergency is only "moderate".

[@yuriys.6352]

Actually war started in 2014 but Europe US and others just didn't care and wanted to make business with Russia...

[@g0bzy]

Anyone listening to 7.100 or 7.055 recently?. Sounds like pre-recorded content, sometimes music. Its been going on for a long time, long before they invaded.

[@samdanner6806]

I will be very glad to relay traffic on my equipment to help these people. Short wave radio is where I will be. All the bands.

[@CaptainK007]

Just spoken to a friend in Lithuania panic buying, petrol queues, power cuts and the president has declared a state of emergency

[@M0SZT]

It’s shocking to see the effect of a full invasion

[@CaptainK007]

@@M0SZT My friend in Lithuania has just told me that the protesters against the war in Moscow have all been rounded up and put in jail

[@blade8271]

@@CaptainK007 Yes, that is right. About 100 people came out to protest. They were all detained. It is dangerous to go to rallies in Russia, there is an authoritarian regime here

[@CaptainK007]

@@blade8271 hi. Saying news here now that 600 in Moscow -2000 arrests in Russia.

[@blade8271]

@@CaptainK007 We don't know much about arrests. watch the news about what is happening in Ukraine. all the media are screaming about it. well, it has become dangerous for us to go to rallies since 2011, long before the Ukrainian events

[@carlcollins3705]

Amateur radio transmitting has been shut down in Ukraine due to the national emergency.

[@edfrederick6205]

Try using the iPhone translation app to convert to english.

[@JimCoupeTQ]

Around 3.9 mhz to 7mhz you will se an increase of activity

[@mraleksk1]

Yeah, another helpful thing would be to understand Ukrainian and Russian languages…

[@peejae082004]

someone needs to code a speech to text translation plugin for SDR++/SDR#

[@M0SZT]

Hopefully in the 3 weeks since you posted that you’ve learned that there are Reddit, Twitter and Discord communities working together to record the radio chat and pass the audio on for translation.

[@migsvensurfing6310]

I know it is a year ago but why not use Google instant translation on a phone. I have used it before but it does require the signal to be fairly noise free.

[@joeddejohn]

God help us if this escalates.

[@timmack2415]

Nothing received here in the US. All we can do is pray for the loss and suffering to end ASAP

[@simonbussey7530]

Please everyone stop 'kerchunking' the Ukrainian DMR TGs. You're distrupting vital coms and the whole world can see your callsigns..

[@simonbussey7530]

MM0BUH, ZS1ML, OH8GTE, IZ1XBB, 9H2LB, G4JFK all in the last 5 minutes. There are ways to listen to TGs without keying up over them!

[@joshuaplacka8480]

Lol yeah I can just as easly look up call signs on the internet and find out much more info.

[@andrzejzawada6172]

Do you think what about the idea to stop to make QSO with Russia and Belorussia ? On all radio częstotliwoąściach. Aggressive states which are this they caused the war with the Ukraine. They also threaten the war with different European countries. There are sanctions on Russia and Belorussia done by NATO, UE, USA, Canada, Japan. And what should we, as the radio community, should what do ? I greet..and 73 !

[@M0SZT]

I’ve got no beef with Russian people but if we were informed to not recognise their ham radio calls then I would follow

[@ijontichy6070]

mają jak w banku zero kontaktów 73 Andrzeju!