The fifth running of the “Enigma Reloaded” operating event will begin on September 28. Sponsored by A.R.I. Fidenza Radio Club, the event celebrates the history of the Enigma enciphering machine, developed after World War I in Germany, initially for sending sensitive diplomatic, military, and commercial messages. British codebreakers working under Alan Turing determined how to decode enemy message traffic during World War II, based upon the earlier work of Polish mathematicians.  A captured Enigma machine and its enciphering key were later used to decipher secret enemy messages. The now-vintage machines remain a fascination for some collectors.

Enigma Event 2018 takes place in two stages: from September 28 until October 5, so-called Activator Stations will be on the air for others to work and to qualify for awards. On October 6, the event’s final day, Activator Stations will exchange predefined CW messages previously encrypted by a real or emulated Enigma machine.

The somewhat cryptic details and rules are available on the official event website. — Thanks to Cristiano Cornini, IW4CLV, President, A.R.I. Fidenza Radio Club