The Enigma of Kagnew

Now a somewhat secretive Eritrean military base, Kagnew Station was one of America’s key listening posts for much of the Cold War. Radios located here are able to pick up clear signals from thousands of miles away; local AM stations in Asmara have reported hearing Finnish broadcasters on occasion.

Altitude plays a big role in Kagnew’s magic, as does the relative quiet of the plains below. But those factors alone can’t quite explain why a short-wave radio at Kagnew can pick up Bulgarian chatter wi