View Full Version : DJ6SI Arrested for Espionage
My draw dropped when I read about this in today's issue of The Daily DX.
Famed DX'er & world traveler Baldur DJ6SI was on vacation & operating from the Greek island of Kos in the Dodcanese Islands last week, under the usual CEPT terms.
He was arrested by the local authorities for espionage.
He & his wife Christa DL6KCD are now back home, and he is, believe it or not, awaiting trial, to be held June 7th.
Needless to say, many of the Greek amateur community are outraged, as are more amateurs around the world as the word spreads.
Baldur is also recovering from several broken fingers...
For those who don't know, he is a veteran of around 100 DXpeditions over the last few decades, including the ill-fated trip to the Spratlys in April 1983, when the boat containing the ops was fired upon & two German hams died.
More information at:
http://dx-world.net/2012/sv5-dj6si-arrested-on-espionage/
http://www.dokufunk.org/amateur_radio/dxcc_entities/index.php?CID=7925&lang=EN&ID=8919&PHPSESSID=3697ec7175f5295eff2a578ce3c25e79
http://dx-world.net/2012/sv5-dj6si-arrested-on-espionage/
http://rodosalarm.gr/index.php/reportaz/4191----lr-l--------r.
Spying on what? I hate to burst their bubble but there isn't a thing the Greeks are doing that's remotely of concern to anyone, strategically speaking.
KG4CGC
06-01-2012, 10:48 AM
Maybe he has some family with money. Maybe some hams will raise money for his release.
The Greeks may be trying the Cute Bunny Tactic. "Give me a billion dollars or I'll kill this cute little bunny."
For those that don't DX, DJ6SI is a world renowned DX'er, and has operated from over 70 countries. The Greek blogosphere is really showing some upset on this.
http://dx-world.net/2012/sv5-dj6si-arrested-on-espionage/
W4GPL
06-03-2012, 10:37 PM
Thread merged.
NA4BH
06-03-2012, 10:40 PM
"Give me a billion dollars or I'll kill this cute little bunny."
I hope everything turns out good for them, but I had to laugh.
XE1/N5AL
06-04-2012, 01:22 AM
Everyone knows that ham radios are only used for nefarious activities!
Ridiculous! Apparently he was drunk, but who really knows...police reports have been fudged before to cover up incompetence.
I still think Greece would be an amazing country to visit, especially the islands. And of course i would bring a rig!
KK4AMI
06-04-2012, 08:06 AM
I don't know. Us former Intel Guys are known to be shady characters :) WE are like whores, trying to cover our past. Or did we really retire???
"The GDR exploits the tragedy for Cold War propaganda
Press coverage, particularly in Germany, was heavy (see our documentation), and some hardliners in the German Democratic Republic seized the opportunity to launch an attack against their western counterpart. Baldur Drobnica , officially employed by the German Federal Republic’s Office of the Interior, was indeed working for its Bundesnachrichtendienst, the Intelligence Service's Section IV (Counter Intelligence). His occupational background - and the fact that GDR intelligence was aware of it - was to be “leaked” to selected press and political sources in the GFR, alleging that the Spratly expedition was a spying conspiracy operation under the disguise of an amateur radio activity. For that purpose, the GST (Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik) – the Society for Sports and Technics, (in charge of amateur radio) was ordered to publish a pamphlet “for restricted circulation” listing all accusations and suspicions. The records of this meeting, unfortunately, have not yet been released for public use. But there is no doubt that Harry Radke, a member of the ham magazine’s editorial staff, when ordered to author the brochure, just followed the list of instructions, adding more or less only ham-related terms. (See our reproduction, in German). Everything went as planned – even the renowned “Spiegel” Magazine took the bait: Under the headline "Men from the Rhine" it wrote in its edition of 9 May 1983: "Is it possible that a German intelligence officer survives ten days without water and bread? This miracle happened, purportedly, in the South Chinese Sea." (Read in full length: http://www.dokufunk.org/img/page/link.gifext. Link (http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14018394.html) ) - After the demise of the GDR, Harry was heavily blamed and reproached for his participation in a shoddy propaganda war."
Any chance he is still on someone's payroll?
I don't know. Us former Intel Guys are known to be shady characters :) WE are like whores, trying to cover our past. Or did we really retire???
"The GDR exploits the tragedy for Cold War propaganda
Press coverage, particularly in Germany, was heavy (see our documentation), and some hardliners in the German Democratic Republic seized the opportunity to launch an attack against their western counterpart. Baldur Drobnica , officially employed by the German Federal Republic’s Office of the Interior, was indeed working for its Bundesnachrichtendienst, the Intelligence Service's Section IV (Counter Intelligence). His occupational background - and the fact that GDR intelligence was aware of it - was to be “leaked” to selected press and political sources in the GFR, alleging that the Spratly expedition was a spying conspiracy operation under the disguise of an amateur radio activity. For that purpose, the GST (Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik) – the Society for Sports and Technics, (in charge of amateur radio) was ordered to publish a pamphlet “for restricted circulation” listing all accusations and suspicions. The records of this meeting, unfortunately, have not yet been released for public use. But there is no doubt that Harry Radke, a member of the ham magazine’s editorial staff, when ordered to author the brochure, just followed the list of instructions, adding more or less only ham-related terms. (See our reproduction, in German). Everything went as planned – even the renowned “Spiegel” Magazine took the bait: Under the headline "Men from the Rhine" it wrote in its edition of 9 May 1983: "Is it possible that a German intelligence officer survives ten days without water and bread? This miracle happened, purportedly, in the South Chinese Sea." (Read in full length: http://www.dokufunk.org/img/page/link.gifext. Link (http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14018394.html) ) - After the demise of the GDR, Harry was heavily blamed and reproached for his participation in a shoddy propaganda war."Baldur worked for the GDR? First I'd ever heard of that.
Anyway, here's a recap on what appears to have happened: http://www.radiofono.gr/node/3251
Oh, for anyone interested, here's a (translated) link to the 1983 "Der Spiegel" article... which states that Baldur is, or was, someone working in counter-intelligence for the Federal Republic of Germany (West), not the GDR (East), at the time... which means that IF he was a "spy", it was for the "other" side.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A//www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14018394.html
And even if he was one when he was in his late 40's, Baldur is now in his '70's and retired. Bad movies with Richard Dreyfuss notwithstanding... nah, doesn't add up.
You never really leave "the Corps" once you've been inside the machine. Even if your current motives and actions are snow white, your former adversaries in 'the game' have long memories and dull axes. He was gotten at.
KK4AMI
06-04-2012, 08:52 AM
Oh, for anyone interested, here's a (translated) link to the 1983 "Der Spiegel" article... which states that Baldur is, or was, someone working in counter-intelligence for the Federal Republic of Germany (West), not the GDR (East), at the time... which means that IF he was a "spy", it was for the "other" side.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A//www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14018394.html
And even if he was one when he was in his late 40's, Baldur is now in his '70's and retired. Bad movies with Richard Dreyfuss notwithstanding... nah, doesn't add up.
I wasn't implying that he was East German, the GDR is the one that exposed him after the Spratly's incident. That Island has a number of Greek Military Facilities, it's close to Turkey and there might even be US facilities around. The Police said he tried to destroy his Transceiver and Computer, hmm Transceiver transmitting off frequency on illegal freqs? Computer has encryption software? We have 80 and 90 year olds running our country. Who better and more innocuous then a 70 year old retiree vacationing in Europe? Heck, it could be something real simple like spying on the Greek economy and reporting back to Germany in real-time. Not as cute as that Russian Redhead, but still effective.
KK4AMI
06-04-2012, 08:59 AM
Baldur worked for the GDR? First I'd ever heard of that.
Anyway, here's a recap on what appears to have happened: http://www.radiofono.gr/node/3251
I Read the article. Can you imagine any circumstance in which you (a Ham) would panic and decide it was time to destroy your FT-897. Porno on the computer maybe, but not that 1500 dollar gem!
I Read the article. Can you imagine any circumstance in which you (a Ham) would panic and decide it was time to destroy your FT-897. Porno on the computer maybe, but not that 1500 dollar gem!
I can't. But... the police said it, and his (court appointed) lawyer said it. He didn't. So, without knowing exactly what happened, I'm reserving judgement on this one.
You never really leave "the Corps" once you've been inside the machine. Even if your current motives and actions are snow white, your former adversaries in 'the game' have long memories and dull axes. He was gotten at.And the GDR has been gone for, what, 20 years? Still, you bring up an interesting point... one now wonders if a little revenge from someone else once, ah, "in the business," could have something to do with this.
PA5COR
06-04-2012, 10:24 AM
First of all let me clear that DJ6SI he is not in jail. Police arrest him late the night (using anonymous info) and the very next morning he guided to the court with a lawyer that court find for him. During his arrest (as the police says and his lawyer confirms) he try to destroy his FT-890 and a Laptop and to kill him shelf. His lawyer at video ask sorry about this and says that his customer was drunk.
Court ask to be translated all his papers for the trial and they leave him to go.
Baldur is now at his home at Germany FREE and the trial is dated for June 7.
I call his layer right when i informed the case and ask to him to call me as witness ONLY to explain what ham radio is to the court. A local ham and friend from Kos island (SV5AZR) will be on court as I know to do this.
I have almost daily E-mail communication with Baldur.
The only reason that Im trying to help is the Ham radio and the place where Im living. In the place of Baldur can be anyone of us..
Some people says that Baldur have a grey history to follow him and some problems in other DXpeditions... This is not my problem. Is a Ham with CEPT agreement licence who have trouble in my homeland.... That's all.
After all nowdays if some one wants to give info as spy is not necesery to put antennas and cary radios with him. A smart GSM phone is OK... that's my 2 cents...
Unforunately Kos is not the only place in the world that the authorities have no idea what amateur radio is. Also remind that the people they afraid what is not familiar everywhere in this world. Some times Hams looks like strange people and some things is looks like devil (our radios) and some other times Morse machine keep dark memories to some people helped with Holywood movies with spies. That can happen...
Many Ham "friends" get a good oportunity to leave their poison about Greece. I found in several forums, blogs and web pages comments that I refuse to accept that is belongs to Hams. Someone says "...throw them money to release Baldur"...!!! Thats the real shame. Maybe we are as nation in very bad economical situation but we still the owners of greek word FILOXENIA.
20 years now as Ham I have welcome over 200 Ham at my island offer to them hoslpitality and help for their Ham operations form the simplest one to big ones as J45M EME DXpedition. And is not only me but ALL of us in Greece. I open my house and my shack and our local club SZ5RDS to all and the best answer to this poison is their opinion about Greece and Greeks. So stop blame my country...!!!
Greek people still friendly as you know them thrue thousands of years and they wait for you in Greece as every year. We stiil have the best ways to leave your myth in Greece. If you plan to visit Rhodes island will be my pleasure to be your guide to the island. Just drop me a E-http://sv5byr.blogspot.gr/ mail...!!!
If you plan to operate during your holidays at Rhodes island and you still affraid (!) the authorities, DON'T bring any radios with you.
Thanks 'COR.
If it wasn't obvious, he was pulling that post from SV5BYR's blog entry.
And, absolutely no disrespect to SV5BYR intended (I'm sure he was commenting on what HE was told or heard), but I won't accept the court-appointed lawyer's comments (as reported) at face value. It just doesn't make sense that Baldur would try to "destroy" his equipment under any circumstances.
And, absolutely no disrespect to SV5BYR intended (I'm sure he was commenting on what HE was told or heard), but I won't accept the court-appointed lawyer's comments (as reported) at face value. It just doesn't make sense that Baldur would try to "destroy" his equipment under any circumstances.I have a few radios "from the era". Every one of them comes up on 10.0000MHz if their power switches are shut "off", rather than placed in "standby". It only takes one click. The FT-890, on the other hand, will tattle quite readily about where it's been...and the only sure fire way to mask that data is to reset the CPU or destroy the rig. My guess would be that in the heat of the moment, the latter option was chosen. That is, if the set wasn't confiscated in situ.
KK4AMI
06-04-2012, 11:00 AM
What would happen in Europe if your Transceiver was found to transmit outside of normal European amateur bands. Would that cause him to try and destroy it before it was confiscated? Certain systems I won't name had Thermite Grenades attached to the top. Pull the pin and walk away, no fuss no muss!
So you mask the intelligence transfer by transmitting IN band. And in old Soviet Russia transmitters, thermite grenades YOU.
KK4AMI
06-04-2012, 11:27 AM
So you mask the intelligence transfer by transmitting IN band. And in old Soviet Russia transmitters, thermite grenades YOU.
In the case of owning a radio that transmits outside of normal ham bands, is it legal in Europe. I have that old DX-70 that is easily modified for full coverage, I can own it in the US however I can not transmit outside of the ham bands. I figured maybe the FT-890 was modified and might get him in trouble in Europe. I know they have some tricky laws on police scanners to.
WE had to thermite everything in case of being boarded!
PA5COR
06-04-2012, 11:34 AM
I am allowed to open up any radio too here, but i am expected to stay in my hambands.
Scanners are allowed since the police is on Tetra and scrambled as well, not one scanner will decode their transmissions.
We had a row over some plane spotters that were arrested there just doing the normal plane spotting, after some interference of our government they went home free.
Seems that governmental cronies cannot understand the law of CEPT reciprocal and the HAM part...
Arrest first see later what it is.
Booze ( wine) played a role too...
Don't mix hamming with alcohol there ;)
KK4AMI
06-04-2012, 11:53 AM
I am allowed to open up any radio too here, but i am expected to stay in my hambands.
Scanners are allowed since the police is on Tetra and scrambled as well, not one scanner will decode their transmissions.
We had a row over some plane spotters that were arrested there just doing the normal plane spotting, after some interference of our government they went home free.
Seems that governmental cronies cannot understand the law of CEPT reciprocal and the HAM part...
Arrest first see later what it is.
Booze ( wine) played a role too...
Don't mix hamming with alcohol there ;)
Understand what you are saying. It's more fun to assume Spy conspiracies. Still its hard to believe he got drunk while caring for a wife with Alzheimers. Sort of bad form there.
ki4itv
06-04-2012, 04:51 PM
First debt crisis hostage?
Both the Greek and Turkish military are quite touchy about photos and radio equipment being operated in certain areas. These tend to be near the coast, especially during military exercises, not that theres much to see, and at airports, many of which are shared between civilian and military operations.
Some Turkish airports are only available to civilian flights at night and on one Greek island, before landing on a holiday flight, we were instructed not to take out our cameras at all. It wasn't obvious why, all I saw were a couple of old Sopwith Camels lined up at one end of the airport tarmac.
Don't let that deter you from holidaying in either Greece or Turkey, the people are friendly, especially to children, public transport is aimed to be useful to the non-car owner and the food is good. (There are also many, many stones).
I don't know why it's unusual to have a ham radio that transmits out of band in Greece. There are Greeks who transmit out of band all the time to avoid the hungry DX chasers.
My first real job was a Greek pizza place. My bosses name was Gus Kakaras...he would spin pizza dough while chewing on a cigarette. Never could understand anything he told me to do...or his wife, as she was like a rotund little Greek Julia Child. But if you never had REAL baklava made by a real deal fat Greek woman...holy shit!
I have yet to find any that even compares.
But if you never had REAL baklava made by a real deal fat Greek woman...holy shit!
I have yet to find any that even compares.
My friend Madalyn was a 100%er - her hubby was always more of a meat-and-potatoes, Americana kind of guy. When she made anything ethnic, I was her taste-tester of sorts (as were the rest of their circle of friends), and let's just say everyone could readily pack the pounds on with her cuisine. The baklava offered up in any of the area restaurants doesn't even come close.
KB3LAZ
06-06-2012, 05:29 AM
My friend Madalyn was a 100%er - her hubby was always more of a meat-and-potatoes, Americana kind of guy. When she made anything ethnic, I was her taste-tester of sorts (as were the rest of their circle of friends), and let's just say everyone could readily pack the pounds on with her cuisine. The baklava offered up in any of the area restaurants doesn't even come close.
Ever go to Greek fest? If not you should check it out this year. Im not sure if its mid June or mid July. I used to go ever year.
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