The history is unknown publicly; however, it is still running as of 2024[citation needed], making it possibly[original research?] one of the oldest numbers station still active today. In 1995, some reported the station to identify as "Channel Four Broadcasting Station in Taipei, Republic of China, on 8300 KHz",[6] while others at the time claimed they never heard such content.[7]
In 2002, the station broadcast request for letters or email from listeners, with email address and a postal box number in Taipei provided. One listener reported getting an email reply informing him that the station is called "Star Star Radio Station" and even asked him to send his resume.[8] In 2003 two people claimed that they received QSL card from the station but such claim was unable to verify.[8] It is worth mentioning that Taiwanese military units use postal boxes regularly, and Voice of Han do give away QSL cards in the past.[9]
Programs
Star Star Broadcasting Station is broadcast with female Chinese voice. As of now, it has four numbered programs (#1 ~ #4), although there were five of them in 1995.[10][11] Each program is repeated four times, 30 minute each, for a total of two hours. A different frequency is typically used during the second hour. The broadcast schedule is random that most of the time not transmitting at all.[5][12]
Message format
The message is delivered through pairs of four digit numbers, most possibly each pair denoting a Chinese character. A Chinese media reported that they may employ book cipher, that is, a particular book is used as the key, and the first two digits refers to the page number, the third the line number, and the fourth the word count in the line.[13]
Another source speculated that the four digit number might refer to the use of Chinese telegraph code.[8] Either way, more encryption methods could be employed to ensure safety.
Contents
Routine contents
Start off with Chinese flute playing, the program usually go as follows:[14]
Chinese program
English translation
Intro
(Chinese flute playing intro)
這裡是星星廣播電臺第A台！
This is Star Star Broadcasting Station, Program #A.
現在我們即將開始播報電報給您，請您注意，準備抄收！
We will begin our session. Be advised and prepare to receive.
在這個時間裡，有AAAA單位B月份[第C號]1份電報，電文DD個字。
In this session, Unit AAAA[nb 2] will be delivered the cable message of 1, of month B, [number C,][nb 3] consisting of DD characters.
請AAAA單位注意，準備抄收。
Unit AAAA, be advised and prepare to receive. (repeated for all units)
Message delivering
現在開始播報給AAAA單位B月份[第C號]DD個字電文。
We will start to deliver the cable message for unit AAAA, of month B, [number C,] consisting of DD characters.
請AAAA單位注意，準備抄收。
Unit AAAA, be advised and prepare to receive.
7909 7909 6824 6824...
(character pairs of four numerical digits, each repeated twice, for a maximum of 20 pairs.)
剛才播報第20組電文。
We've just delivered 20 pairs of characters. (Repeated every 20 pairs if it has more than 20 pairs.)
9033 9033 4258 4258...
(ditto)
以上是給AAAA單位B月份[第C號]DD個字電文，現在已經播報完了。
The cable message for unit AAAA, of month B, [number C,] consisting of DD characters, is now over.
(The sequence will be repeated for all units.)
Outro
以上這節特約通訊播報完畢，謝謝您的收聽，祝您健康快樂，再會！
This concludes the contracted broadcasting session. Thank you for your listening and we wish you health and happiness. See you.
(Chinese flute playing outro)
Null content
It is reported that in rare cases, no message is delivered although the program still runs at the scheduled time. The program goes as follows:[12]
Chinese program
English translation
(Chinese flute playing intro)
這裡是星星廣播電臺第A台！
This is Star Star Broadcasting Station, Program #A.
在這個時間裡，沒有電報給您。謝謝您的收聽，祝您健康快樂，再會。
In this session, no cable message is delivered. Thank you for your listening and we wish you health and happiness. See you.
(Chinese flute playing outro)
Media Appearance
The Conet Project (1997, 2013) by Akin Fernandez featured a track recorded from the station, dubbed "New Star Broadcasting".
Footnotes
^Due to the similar prononciation of Xin (新, new) and Xing (星, star) in the broadcast and the secretive nature of numbers station that not many documents could confirm its literal name. However, as seen in a change-of-frequency notice posted by state-owned Radio Taiwan International, the correct usage is Xing Xing (星星).[3]
^"漢聲廣播電台からのＱＳＬ - 思いつくまま" [A QSL Card from Voice of Han: What's on My Mind]. goo blog (in Japanese). 2005-11-28. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
^"神秘的台灣地下情報員用廣播電台:星星廣播電台" [Mysterious broadcast station for Taiwanese intellegence agents: Star Star Broadcasting Station]. 品蔥. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
^"台军情局向驻大陆间谍下指示仍采用密码广播(图)_资讯_凤凰网" [Taiwanese Military Intelligence Bureau Still Used Coded Broadcast to Give Their Spys in Mainland China Orders]. 凤凰网 (in Chinese (China)). 2007-07-02. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
