Drainage Chamber

There are seven drainage chambers and two sealed cisterns scattered around the Capital Wasteland. These are minor dungeons, and all are home to Fallout 3 radio stations broadcasting morse code (except Oscar Zulu and Yankee Bravo). The particular message is explained at length on the page for signal Kilo Bravo. Many of the stations do not have a map marker, but can be spotted easily from far away by looking for the tower.
 * All have a transformer at the base of the tower with a switch to throw that starts the encoded broadcast, except Kilo Bravo (switch inside WKML).
 * The entry to the underground ham radio station will be nearby (check your local map or the links below if having trouble).
 * You can also zero in on the broadcast. It actually comes from the sewer grate or manhole entrance, not the tower itself. They have a short broadcast distance of roughly 200 yards (183 meters). At the edges of the broadcast, it is entirely static. At its source, there is no static and the signal can be heard clearly.
 * Turning off the ham radio stops the transmission. As you might expect, this happens when turning the radio's dial ends in a click. It can be turned back on, but you have to select it in your Pip-Boy again to hear it.

Signal Stations

 * Signal Alpha Lima (AL) [3] - In northwest of the Fallout 3 map, at Broadcast Tower KB5, just west of Deathclaw Sanctuary
 * Signal Echo Foxtrot (EF) [4] - Near north edge of map, south of Oasis
 * Signal Kilo Bravo (KB) [1] - Also in northwest, from WKML Broadcast Station, a bit southeast of signal Alpha Lima and far south of Fort Constantine
 * Signal Oscar Tango (OT) [5] - Perhaps the closest to Megaton, head west-northwest to the Jury Street Metro Station; it is a little south of it
 * Signal Oscar Zulu (OZ) [2] - In the northeast of the map, a bit southeast of Relay Tower KX-B8-11 and northeast of Temple of the Union. Bob Anderstein broadcasts a plea for medical help for his son.
 * Signal Papa November (PN) [9] - Due west of Megaton near the west edge of the map, at a tower just west of the Charnel House. Southwest of Fort Bannister and northwest of Evergreen Mills.
 * Signal Sierra Romeo (SR) [6] - On west edge of map at Broadcast Tower KT8, due north of Little Lamplight and northeast of Vault 87
 * Signal Sierra Victor (SV) [8] - In the southwest of the map, southeast of Jocko's Pop &amp; Gas Stop. Caution: Lots of traps!
 * Signal Yankee Bravo (YB) [7] - In the northeast of the map, just south of Canterbury Commons. Feral ghouls are broadcasting their heavy breathing.

The numbers in [brackets] denote the drainage chamber's designation in G.E.C.K. For example, signal Kilo Bravo is interior location FFRadioCache01 and its unique radio (with broadcasting script) is designated FFHamRadio01. The FFHamRadio records also show the signal names.

The reasons for these signals are unknown. The variation in messages suggests that they did not all exist to a common purpose, however. Their usage of the NATO phonetic alphabet is common of both military operations and HAM radio operators, as well as anyone with training in radio communications protocol. They could have been groups sent into the wasteland for reconnaissance, search & rescue, raids, search & destroy, or pre-War distress signals on loop. They could also be Chinese spies from before the war. However, there is no information to support any specific theory, aside from the content of the radio messages themselves and the equipment found along with the remains of the radio operators.