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Codes and Secret Codes in Old Time Radio

Breaking the enemy's codes is a way to understand what they are going to do in Wartime. The same thing works when the Good Guys figure out the Bad Guy's codes.

Codes

58 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 16 hours, 2525 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
18 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from May 31, 1953:

"Suspense: Vision Of Death"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Coding is nothing more than converting information into another form to share with its intended recipients. Sometimes this conversion is necessary because of limitations in the medium. Computer language is a sort of code which is necessary to give electronic devices instructions. Samuel Morse invented a simple system of dots and dashes to convert letters and numbers to send over primitive telegraph lines.

Orphan Annie Code Book

When early wireless communication systems were developed, messages were still sent in Morse code because the dot and dashes were less vulnerable to atmospheric and electronic interference. Until recently, amateur broadcasters were required to demonstrate proficiency with Morse code before they were granted a basic HAM license. Technical innovations made voice and eventually data communication feasible, reducing the need for Morse code, but there was another vulnerability to radio broadcasts; anyone with a receiver tuned to the frequency you were broadcasting on could hear your transmission. This led to the more common understanding of coding; converting information into a secret language to keep it from outside parties.

Military, political, and commercial organizations place a high value on keeping their inside information secret, often from their friends as well as their enemies. Just like in suburbia, sometimes it is what you don't know about your neighbors that make a relationship possible. Just like governments and militaries, criminal organizations need to use codes to share information. Drama ensues as the good guys figure out how to break the bad guy's codes.

  • When you understand the codes that your enemy uses, they lose some of their power over you. On Adventure Ahead we hear a story of the effort to build a railroad in Western Africa, but the witch doctors of the Ashanti tribe oppose the idea. The witch doctors communicate with their "Talking Drums", but the son of the railroad project boss is a music student who might be able to figure out what the drums are saying before it's too late.
  • During the War, Captain Midnight send secret messages to his listeners at the end of his broadcasts using the Ovaltine Key-A-Matic Code-A-Graph. More than just a plug for Ovaltine, the messages gave fans a clue about the next episode, heightening the excitement of the cliffhanger. Codes were part of the story as well when the Captain used them to communicate with his friends in the Secret Squadron.
  • Chandu the Magician uses his hypnotic powers of persuasion to convince Arigne the Spider to tell him the meaning of the coded message, but something frightens Arigne even more than Chandu.
  • Code Book"America's Ace of the Airways" Hop Harrigan parachutes into Nazi territory in Occupied France so he can steal a Messerschmitt, but he is tricked and the Gestapo tries to learn his secret code.
  • Being part of "Annie's Secret Society" was half the fun of listening to Little Orphan Annie. Coded messages are sent to members of the Society at the end of the Thursday night broadcast. The messages come in code, and only members of the Society can understand the Mystery Radio Code using their Decoder Pins.
  • On the serial Magic Island, the wealthy Mrs. Gregory and the crew of her yacht try to use mysterious codes to send messages to the outside world about the mad scientists on the secret island of Euclydia. Of course, the Euclydians can block their radio signals, and they are able to figure out whatever code the good guys can devise.
  •  When Secret Agent K7 Returns he has to be especially cagey to get past his enemies, including disguising himself as a blind man in Paris who uses his white cane to tap out messages in Morse code.
  • Sky and Penny leave the Flying Crown Ranch to search for stolen pearls in San Francisco's Chinatown. When they find a murder, they think there is a clue in code, but the code turns out to be knitting instructions. However, the knitting stitch the instructions describe reveals the real crook on Sky King.
  • Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen travel to the Southwest to investigate a series of airplane crashes at a remote airfield. They discover a code hidden in weather reports over the radio – the real message is hidden in every third word of the forecast. After sending Jimmy to alert the authorities, Superman has a run in with Bengal tigers!

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    58 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 16 hours, 2525 min
    58 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 16 hours, 2525 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 58 shows – total playtime 16 hours, 42 minutes
    2. Adventure Ahead 440923 Talking Drums.mp3
    3. Ann Of Airlanes 350000 21 Ann Hides In Plane.mp3
    4. Burns And Allen 431228 18 John Garfield As Gangster.mp3
    5. Calling All Detectives 480922 270 Jerry Saves Vic Porter.mp3
    6. Captain Midnight 430216 0751 Trapped By Nazis.mp3
    7. Captain Midnight 431009 Philippines Fight On.mp3
    8. Captain Midnight 431202 0893 Signal From Sky.mp3
    9. Captain Midnight 470312 1616 Slave Smugglers.mp3
    10. Captain Midnight 481208 1931 Return Ivan Shark Tomorrow.mp3
    11. Casey Crime Photographer 480101 Hot New Years Party.mp3
    12. Cavalcade Of America 521118 Away All Boarding Parties.mp3
    13. Challenge Of Yukon 490606 Missing Code.mp3
    14. Chandu 330220 251 Situation Discussed.mp3
    15. Chandu 330530 322 Bob And Betty Worried About Their Mother.mp3
    16. Chandu 481125 109 Nadji Arrives.mp3
    17. Chandu 481129 111 Chandler Escapes Fire.mp3
    18. Cloud Nine 500328 Arizona.mp3
    19. Eb And Zeb 392 Episode 392.mp3
    20. Eb And Zeb 394 Episode 394.mp3
    21. Eb And Zeb 401 Episode 401.mp3
    22. Five Minute Mysteries 400017 Blind Confession.mp3
    23. Green Hornet 440606 0656 Code For Sabotage.mp3
    24. Green Hornet 460525 Polarized Glasses.mp3
    25. Green Valley Line 340000 21 Coded Message.mp3
    26. Hop Harrigan 420923 0000 Messerschmidt Cannon Part 3.mp3
    27. Hop Harrigan 460701 0000 Dropping Atom Bomb On Bikini Island.mp3
    28. JS 650413 Why Am I Going To Australia.mp3
    29. Jungle Jim 440916 464 Running Gun Battle With Japanese.mp3
    30. Lone Ranger 410625 1314 Cattle Code.mp3
    31. Lone Ranger 440927 1824 Killers Code Part 2 Special Series.mp3
    32. Magic Island 360000 Ep 027 Radio Signals Within Island.mp3
    33. Magic Island 360000 Ep 044 Transferring Oil.mp3
    34. Magic Island 360000 Ep 051 Swim For Boat.mp3
    35. Magic Island 360000 Ep 075 Another Sub Follows.mp3
    36. Night Watch 540107 On Scene Reports Audition.mp3
    37. Orphan Annie 360000 1018 Mr Flint Selling Stock Toll Bridge.mp3
    38. Orphan Annie 360000 1068 Mr Silo Prepares For Trip.mp3
    39. Orphan Annie 360000 1537 Diamonds.mp3
    40. Orphan Annie 360000 1539 Daddy Warbucks Hears Radio Signals.mp3
    41. Orphan Annie 360000 1554 Temple In Jungle.mp3
    42. Ripleys Believe It Or Not 380319 36 Coming Of Spring.mp3
    43. Secret Agent K7 390000 38 Carl Frakenburg.mp3
    44. Secret Agent K7 390000 62 Letter Box Agent.mp3
    45. Sky King 471204 X Message In Code.mp3
    46. Strange Adventure 450000 Savage Honor.mp3
    47. Suspense 421117 Menace In Wax.mp3
    48. Suspense 530601 Vision Of Death.mp3
    49. Taos 400508 0038 Airplane Disasters At Bridger Field Pt 05.mp3
    50. Taos 470313 1505 Knights Of White Carnation Pt 12.mp3
    51. Taos 471125 1623 Ruler Of Darkness Pt 23.mp3
    52. Terry And Pirates 411117 031 Terry Connie And Pat.mp3
    53. Terry And Pirates 420420 141 Jigger.mp3
    54. Terry And Pirates 420421 142 Pat And Terry Captured.mp3
    55. Terry And Pirates 420422 143 Rescued By Slugger.mp3
    56. Terry And Pirates 420423 144 Smiley Knocked Out.mp3
    57. Tom Mix 411215 X Border Smugglers.mp3
    58. True Adventures Of Junior G Men 360807 Light Signal Part 3.mp3
    59. Wild Bill Hickok 520208 051 Treasure Of Old Number Nine.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    58 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 16 hours, 2525 min
    58 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    398 MB – total playtime 16 hours, 42 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 58 shows – 398 MB – total playtime 16 hours, 42 minutes
    2. Adventure Ahead 440923 Talking Drums.mp3
    3. Ann Of Airlanes 350000 21 Ann Hides In Plane.mp3
    4. Burns And Allen 431228 18 John Garfield As Gangster.mp3
    5. Calling All Detectives 480922 270 Jerry Saves Vic Porter.mp3
    6. Captain Midnight 430216 0751 Trapped By Nazis.mp3
    7. Captain Midnight 431009 Philippines Fight On.mp3
    8. Captain Midnight 431202 0893 Signal From Sky.mp3
    9. Captain Midnight 470312 1616 Slave Smugglers.mp3
    10. Captain Midnight 481208 1931 Return Ivan Shark Tomorrow.mp3
    11. Casey Crime Photographer 480101 Hot New Years Party.mp3
    12. Cavalcade Of America 521118 Away All Boarding Parties.mp3
    13. Challenge Of Yukon 490606 Missing Code.mp3
    14. Chandu 330220 251 Situation Discussed.mp3
    15. Chandu 330530 322 Bob And Betty Worried About Their Mother.mp3
    16. Chandu 481125 109 Nadji Arrives.mp3
    17. Chandu 481129 111 Chandler Escapes Fire.mp3
    18. Cloud Nine 500328 Arizona.mp3
    19. Eb And Zeb 392 Episode 392.mp3
    20. Eb And Zeb 394 Episode 394.mp3
    21. Eb And Zeb 401 Episode 401.mp3
    22. Five Minute Mysteries 400017 Blind Confession.mp3
    23. Green Hornet 440606 0656 Code For Sabotage.mp3
    24. Green Hornet 460525 Polarized Glasses.mp3
    25. Green Valley Line 340000 21 Coded Message.mp3
    26. Hop Harrigan 420923 0000 Messerschmidt Cannon Part 3.mp3
    27. Hop Harrigan 460701 0000 Dropping Atom Bomb On Bikini Island.mp3
    28. JS 650413 Why Am I Going To Australia.mp3
    29. Jungle Jim 440916 464 Running Gun Battle With Japanese.mp3
    30. Lone Ranger 410625 1314 Cattle Code.mp3
    31. Lone Ranger 440927 1824 Killers Code Part 2 Special Series.mp3
    32. Magic Island 360000 Ep 027 Radio Signals Within Island.mp3
    33. Magic Island 360000 Ep 044 Transferring Oil.mp3
    34. Magic Island 360000 Ep 051 Swim For Boat.mp3
    35. Magic Island 360000 Ep 075 Another Sub Follows.mp3
    36. Night Watch 540107 On Scene Reports Audition.mp3
    37. Orphan Annie 360000 1018 Mr Flint Selling Stock Toll Bridge.mp3
    38. Orphan Annie 360000 1068 Mr Silo Prepares For Trip.mp3
    39. Orphan Annie 360000 1537 Diamonds.mp3
    40. Orphan Annie 360000 1539 Daddy Warbucks Hears Radio Signals.mp3
    41. Orphan Annie 360000 1554 Temple In Jungle.mp3
    42. Ripleys Believe It Or Not 380319 36 Coming Of Spring.mp3
    43. Secret Agent K7 390000 38 Carl Frakenburg.mp3
    44. Secret Agent K7 390000 62 Letter Box Agent.mp3
    45. Sky King 471204 X Message In Code.mp3
    46. Strange Adventure 450000 Savage Honor.mp3
    47. Suspense 421117 Menace In Wax.mp3
    48. Suspense 530601 Vision Of Death.mp3
    49. Taos 400508 0038 Airplane Disasters At Bridger Field Pt 05.mp3
    50. Taos 470313 1505 Knights Of White Carnation Pt 12.mp3
    51. Taos 471125 1623 Ruler Of Darkness Pt 23.mp3
    52. Terry And Pirates 411117 031 Terry Connie And Pat.mp3
    53. Terry And Pirates 420420 141 Jigger.mp3
    54. Terry And Pirates 420421 142 Pat And Terry Captured.mp3
    55. Terry And Pirates 420422 143 Rescued By Slugger.mp3
    56. Terry And Pirates 420423 144 Smiley Knocked Out.mp3
    57. Tom Mix 411215 X Border Smugglers.mp3
    58. True Adventures Of Junior G Men 360807 Light Signal Part 3.mp3
    59. Wild Bill Hickok 520208 051 Treasure Of Old Number Nine.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    58 recordings on 18 Audio CDs. Total playtime 16 hours, 42 min
    58 recordings on 18 Audio CDs
    total playtime 16 hours, 42 min

    Codes Disc A001

    1. Eb And Zeb 392 Episode 392
    2. Eb And Zeb 394 Episode 394
    3. Eb And Zeb 401 Episode 401
    4. Chandu 330220 251 Situation Discussed
    5. Chandu 330530 322 Bob And Betty Worried About Their Mother

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A002

    1. Green Valley Line 340000 21 Coded Message
    2. Ann Of Airlanes 350000 21 Ann Hides In Plane
    3. Magic Island 360000 Ep 027 Radio Signals Within Island
    4. Magic Island 360000 Ep 044 Transferring Oil
    5. Magic Island 360000 Ep 051 Swim For Boat

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A003

    1. Magic Island 360000 Ep 075 Another Sub Follows
    2. Orphan Annie 360000 1018 Mr Flint Selling Stock Toll Bridge
    3. Orphan Annie 360000 1068 Mr Silo Prepares For Trip
    4. Orphan Annie 360000 1537 Diamonds

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A004

    1. Orphan Annie 360000 1539 Daddy Warbucks Hears Radio Signals
    2. Orphan Annie 360000 1554 Temple In Jungle
    3. True Adventures Of Junior G Men 360807 Light Signal Part 3

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A005

    1. Ripleys Believe It Or Not 380319 36 Coming Of Spring
    2. Secret Agent K7 390000 38 Carl Frakenburg
    3. Secret Agent K7 390000 62 Letter Box Agent
    4. Five Minute Mysteries 400017 Blind Confession

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A006

    1. Taos 400508 0038 Airplane Disasters At Bridger Field Pt 05
    2. Lone Ranger 410625 1314 Cattle Code
    3. Terry And Pirates 411117 031 Terry Connie And Pat
    4. Tom Mix 411215 X Border Smugglers

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A007

    1. Terry And Pirates 420420 141 Jigger
    2. Terry And Pirates 420421 142 Pat And Terry Captured
    3. Terry And Pirates 420422 143 Rescued By Slugger
    4. Terry And Pirates 420423 144 Smiley Knocked Out
    5. Hop Harrigan 420923 0000 Messerschmidt Cannon Part 3

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A008

    1. Suspense 421117 Menace In Wax
    2. Captain Midnight 430216 0751 Trapped By Nazis
    3. Captain Midnight 431009 Philippines Fight On

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A009

    1. Captain Midnight 431202 0893 Signal From Sky
    2. Burns And Allen 431228 18 John Garfield As Gangster

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A010

    1. Green Hornet 440606 0656 Code For Sabotage
    2. Jungle Jim 440916 464 Running Gun Battle With Japanese

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A011

    1. Adventure Ahead 440923 Talking Drums
    2. Lone Ranger 440927 1824 Killers Code Part 2 Special Series
    3. Strange Adventure 450000 Savage Honor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A012

    1. Green Hornet 460525 Polarized Glasses
    2. Hop Harrigan 460701 0000 Dropping Atom Bomb On Bikini Island
    3. Captain Midnight 470312 1616 Slave Smugglers
    4. Taos 470313 1505 Knights Of White Carnation Pt 12
    5. Taos 471125 1623 Ruler Of Darkness Pt 23

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A013

    1. Sky King 471204 X Message In Code
    2. Casey Crime Photographer 480101 Hot New Years Party
    3. Calling All Detectives 480922 270 Jerry Saves Vic Porter

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A014

    1. Chandu 481125 109 Nadji Arrives
    2. Chandu 481129 111 Chandler Escapes Fire
    3. Captain Midnight 481208 1931 Return Ivan Shark Tomorrow

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A015

    1. Challenge Of Yukon 490606 Missing Code
    2. Cloud Nine 500328 Arizona

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A016

    1. Wild Bill Hickok 520208 051 Treasure Of Old Number Nine
    2. Cavalcade Of America 521118 Away All Boarding Parties

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A017

    1. Suspense 530601 Vision Of Death
    2. Night Watch 540107 On Scene Reports Audition

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Codes Disc A018

    1. JS 650413 Why Am I Going To Australia

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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