Duga-3 Rader Stock Photo

Also known as`The woodpecker`and `Eye of Moscow`n`Russian Woodpecker`nAt some point in 1976, a new and powerful radio signal was detected simultaneously worldwide, and quickly dubbed `the Woodpecker` by amateur radio operators. Transmission power on some Woodpecker transmitters was estimated to be as high as 10 MW equivalent isotropically radiated power.[3][4] Even prior to 1976, a similar `woodpecker` interference is remembered by radio amateurs occurring in the high frequencies. As early as 1963, or before, radio amateurs were calling this `the Russian Woodpecker`. Little is apparently known about the power levels or Russian designation but is probably a forerunner of the Duga radar systems. It was also speculated at that time, at least among radio amateurs, that this was an over-the-horizon radar.