+SixDogTeam Posted May 13, 2004 Posted May 13, 2004 How does a total novice go about deciphering a code constructed of numbers only, created without a keyword, with the clue "think frequency"?
+rusty_tlc Posted May 13, 2004 Posted May 13, 2004 -Try tuning a radio to the frequency. -look for a set of numbers that repeats inside the string (ie 12349807654980547....) - count the occurances of each number, the most frequent will probably be the letter "e" Okay I'm out of ideas.
+ShowStop Posted May 13, 2004 Posted May 13, 2004 (edited) Do you have waypoint number or a link for the cache page? Out here, we have a bunch of tough puzzle caches. Some are kinda easy, but others are just rack-your-brain hard. Check out this link for some ways people can encrypt/decrypt codes: Cipher Exchange Edited May 13, 2004 by ShowStop
Mushtang Posted May 13, 2004 Posted May 13, 2004 What is the name of the cache? If I saw it I might be able to help. I've found a lot of puzzle caches, they're my favorite sort.
+EarthTrekkers Posted May 13, 2004 Posted May 13, 2004 Not sure if this will help, but if you were a ham, you'd immediately think of this: US Amateur Radio Band Plan --EarthTrekkers--
+SixDogTeam Posted May 13, 2004 Author Posted May 13, 2004 I'm not sure whether or not I should give a link to the cache...I just want to know some techniques so I can decode it myself... I don't want to cheat-- but as it stands now, it could be sanskrit, and I'll never decode it...
+ShowStop Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 (edited) I'm not sure whether or not I should give a link to the cache... Can you copy and paste some of the code from the cache page? That would help us give you some possible directions to head based on the code design. Just trying to be helpful.... [Edit for speeling erors] Edited May 14, 2004 by ShowStop
latvija Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 "Think Frequency" most likely refers to using a simple frequency count to solve a substitution cipher. For English, the frequency is as follows: ETOANIRSHDLCWUMFYGPBVKXQJZ with E being the most frequent to Z being least. Replace the most common letter/number/symbol with an E. Second most common is replaced with a T and so forth. It is easier the more text you have. Check out Singh - Frequency Analysis site for more. latvija
Mushtang Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 I'm not sure whether or not I should give a link to the cache...I just want to know some techniques so I can decode it myself... I don't want to cheat-- but as it stands now, it could be sanskrit, and I'll never decode it... Well, good luck to you on the code. I don't think this thread will be any more help to you than a poorly worded search on Yahoo or Google if you're not going to tell us the name of the cache.
+archaeor Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Speaking of codes, this was the final clue to a three-leg puzzle cache I recently placed: So far, both finders commented that it was the easiest puzzle cache they ever did. Oh well, back to the ol' drawingboard . . . Rick
+writer Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 "Think Frequency" most likely refers to using a simple frequency count to solve a substitution cipher. For English, the frequency is as follows: ETOANIRSHDLCWUMFYGPBVKXQJZ with E being the most frequent to Z being least. Replace the most common letter/number/symbol with an E. Second most common is replaced with a T and so forth. It is easier the more text you have. Check out Singh - Frequency Analysis site for more. latvija There are also tables of frequencies for combinations of two and even three letters. This page has a table that includes at least some of the more common two-letter combinations. Also remember for clues like words made of one, two, or three letters, which are often pretty easy to guess.
Keystone Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Although this issue is not addressed in the Forum Guidelines, from past discussions I believe I'm correct in stating that most forum community members would consider public discussions of the solutions to specific puzzle caches to be a breach of forum etiquette. Imagine yourself in the shoes of the geocacher who took the time to put together a good puzzle, only to see the solution disclosed publicly. If I am incorrect in stating what I believe to be the community's sentiment, then please feel free to start a separate topic in order to disagree with me. Thanks!
+SeaTrout Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 (edited) I agree,easy puzzle to solve.(3 seconds) I also agree with keystone about giving away the secret,but I feel that it's ok to post interesting puzzles for others to see. Seatrout Edited May 14, 2004 by SeaTrout
+herkojerko and justmecc Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 try looking for a five numbered word with the first and third letter the same. That might be the word cache and go from there
Dinoprophet Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 (edited) Edited my general post to nothing at all because Keystone is right I found the page and solved it, though. Edited May 14, 2004 by Dinoprophet
+bons Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 I found the page and solved it, though. You're ahead of me. I started hunting for the page and decided that eventually someone would post a link. If someone could PM me the waypoint I'd appreciate it.
bug and snake Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Me too please. I have never done a puzzle cache - would be most interested.
Dinoprophet Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Oops, make that, I solved *most* of it. Either I'm missing something or a small part of it doesn't jive with the rest.
+Seamus Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Also here, please. Would like to have a look at this cache listing. Thanks!
+Team Tigger International Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Since there seems to be a great interest in the 'mysterious' cache, here's the link... http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...&decrypt=y&log= now everyone play nicely.hehe Wulf
+Confucius' Cat Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Speaking of codes, this was the final clue to a three-leg puzzle cache I recently placed: So far, both finders commented that it was the easiest puzzle cache they ever did. Oh well, back to the ol' drawingboard . . . Rick You have the decoder in your cachemobile. No reflection on you, but I figured it out pretty easily.
+Confucius' Cat Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Regarding the original "code" puzzle. Perhaps the use of numbers throws a "monkey wrench" in it for you. If it is a simple substitution cipher, you might try substituting the numbers with letters- just so it looks more familiar- then apply the rules of de-ciphering. You might want to make a spread sheet that substitutes each number with a letter of your choice and automatically substitutes all like numbers. You then change the letters according to your best guess, whereupon the spreadsheet makes the same substitution on all occurances. Automating the task of substitution makes it a lot easier.
Keystone Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Since there seems to be a great interest in the 'mysterious' cache, here's the link... http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...&decrypt=y&log= now everyone play nicely.hehe Wulf Hello? Is this thing on? testing... testing... I have alerted the cache owner to the existence of this forum topic.
+Confucius' Cat Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Well, looking at the cache page pretty much makes my comment above TRASH. Looks like a good one to try to solve. If I do, y'all can figure it out yourselves and I promise not to gloat over the FTF.
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