The repetitive transmission of numbers followed by a French pre-recorded message every 16 minutes, and originating from an unknown location on the island is possibly a reference to a very real Russian radio signal known as UVB-76.
UVB-76 is a mysterious signal that broadcasts at 462.5 kHz. It's believed the signal has been broadcasting since the early 1970's. It wasn't until 1982 that someone recorded one of its broadcasts. It transmitted a decade before anyone took notice, much like the mysterious signal transmitting from the island on Lost wasn't noticed for 16 years.
The Russian UVB-76 broadcasts a repetitive, short burst buzz 24/7/365. Every year or so UVB-76 would interrupt the buzzes with human messages reading a series of numbers and Russian names. Until recently, the location of the UVB-76 transmission was unknown. "Online chatter about the signal increased in 2010 as bizarre broadcasts were issued on an almost monthly basis. Snippets of Swan Lake were played, a female voiced counted from one to nine, a question mark was transmitted in Morse code, and strange telephone conversations were overheard. Since October 2010, the station has changed location." It now broadcasts from multiple locations within Russia. Just like the island changes location and the island signal transmits from various locations in the Pacific.
So, there you have it, Lost's version of UVB-76.
UVB-76 is a mysterious signal that broadcasts at 462.5 kHz. It's believed the signal has been broadcasting since the early 1970's. It wasn't until 1982 that someone recorded one of its broadcasts. It transmitted a decade before anyone took notice, much like the mysterious signal transmitting from the island on Lost wasn't noticed for 16 years.
The Russian UVB-76 broadcasts a repetitive, short burst buzz 24/7/365. Every year or so UVB-76 would interrupt the buzzes with human messages reading a series of numbers and Russian names. Until recently, the location of the UVB-76 transmission was unknown. "Online chatter about the signal increased in 2010 as bizarre broadcasts were issued on an almost monthly basis. Snippets of Swan Lake were played, a female voiced counted from one to nine, a question mark was transmitted in Morse code, and strange telephone conversations were overheard. Since October 2010, the station has changed location." It now broadcasts from multiple locations within Russia. Just like the island changes location and the island signal transmits from various locations in the Pacific.
So, there you have it, Lost's version of UVB-76.