International Shortwave Broadcast Band
Shortwave radio is radio transmission using shortwave frequencies, generally 1710 kHz to 30.00 MHz, just above the medium wave AM broadcast band. Shortwave radio is used for long distance broadcast or communication utilizing the skip phenomenon. When shortwave radio transmissions bounce of the ionosphere they travel downward to a location distant from the source.
In North America shortwave is considered to start it 1710 kHz while in Europe shortwave is considered to start at 1600 kHz. AM Broadcast radio medium-wave ends at 1600 kHz. Yet 1500 kHz actually marked the original beginning of shortwave band.
The WRC (World Radio-communication Conference) allocates bands of shortwave radio for International broadcast. In 1997 WRC-97 met and set the most recent allocation table. Not all countries comply with the allocation, however, many do for the most part. A new digital shortwave has also been set at the conference with preliminary allocating taking place.
Shortwave radios can be used in situations where Internet or satellite communications service is temporarily unavailable. Shortwave radio is less negatively impacted by interference from thunderstorms than medium wave radio, and is able to cover a large geographic area with relatively low power. In fact, shortwave radio is likely the overall most dynamic and capable means of distance communication with the least amount of equipment and expense.
A good shortwave radio tuner should be able to receive AM and AM-USB transmissions.
Contents
Shortwave -vs- Longwave
Radio wavelengths longer than 1000 meters (frequencies less than 300 kHz), including the ITU's low frequency (LF) (30–300 kHz) and very low frequency (VLF) (3–30 kHz) bands. Sometimes part of the medium frequency (MF) band (300–3000 kHz) is included.
Radio wavelengths generally 1.6–30 MHz, just above the medium wave AM broadcast band, the ITU Region 1 defines the span 1.6–30 MHz, just above the medium wave band, which ends approximately at 1.6 MHz.
To simply, if it's below AM Broadcast they call it LONGWAVE and if it's the portion above it is SHORTWAVE. A typical shortwave broadcast receiver doesn't include longwave reception. Consumer radios capable of both typically receive the longwave frequencies 100-519 kHz, just below the AM band (520-1710 kHz) like the longwave signals used by those interested in low-frequency experimental radio (LowFER) communications as well as ITU Region 1 broadcasters in Europe to China.
Shortwave Broadcast Radio Frequency Table
The shortwave spectrum is divided into several segments, some of which are used for marine communications, utility stations and HAM radio. Specific bands of the shortwave spectrum are dedicated to regular broadcasting stations, such as the Voice of America and the UK BBC.
There is one United States government shortwave broadcasting organization called the International Broadcasting Bureau It operates the following stations: Voice of America, Radio Free Europe (Radio Liberty,) Radio Marti, and Radio Free Asia. There are also about 25 private shortwave radio stations in the United States licensed by the FCC.
Globally these are generally considered the "broadcast" shortwave radio frequencies.
- 120 meter: 2300 - 2495 kHz
- 90 meter: 3200 - 3400 kHz
- 75 meter: 3900 - 4050 kHz
- 60 meter: 4750 - 5100 kHz
- 49 meter: 5900 - 6300 kHz
- 41 meter: 7100 - 7350 kHz
- 31 meter: 9250 - 9995 kHz
- 25 meter: 11.50 - 12.05 MHz
- 22 meter: 13.57 - 13.87 MHz
- 19 meter: 15.00 - 15.825 MHz
- 16 meter: 17.48 - 17.90 MHz
- 15 meter: 18.90 - 19.02 MHz
- 13 meter: 21.45 - 21.50 MHz
- 11 meter: 25.67 - 26.10 MHz
HAM Radio on Shortwave
Amateur radio operators have made many technical advancements in the field of radio, and make themselves available to transmit emergency communications when normal communications channels fail. Some amateurs practice operating off the power grid so as to be prepared for power loss. Many amateur radio operators started out as Shortwave Listeners. An annual event HAM operators hold in North America called "Field Day" is in part based on the ability to set up an adhoc communication station on battery power and make contact with as many locations as possible within a time limit.
Numbers Shortwave Stations
It is a mystery what these weird stations that broadcast encrypted messages are for. They were many during the days of the cold war. They still exist today and mostly broadcast CW or robotic speech. The CW messages are made up of cryptic words as is the speech. The British Secret Intelligence Service operated one of these Numbers Stations. Further research on the Conet Project can help to shed light on the use of Numbers Stations and their secret messages on shortwave radio.
Pirate Radio on Shortwave
Pirate radio on shortwave is also known as the HF Underground or DX Pirate Radio. These stations are operating without a license from the country where the station broadcasts from. A pirate shortwave radio station operating in the United States is doing so without a license from the FCC and is therefore operating illegally. Such stations can be a nuisance to the public or cause harmful interference on other frequencies. Some pirate stations are entertaining and cause little to no harm to anyone.
It is said that today most of the known pirate radio occurs in USB (Upper Side Band) at frequencies above or below various HAM radio. The most popular range for pirate operators is near the 40-meter (7000 to 7300 kHz) HAM band. Tune in with an Upper sideband tuner at and around 6955 kHz.
Read the Pirate Radio Stations & Pirate Radio Broadcasting on Shortwave Radio forum for information on where to tune if you want to listen to these broadcasters.
External Resources
DXing.com has a table of shortwave radio stations called Tuning 150 kHz to 30 MHz. It is mirrored here, however, you should visit dxing.com as it is an excellent site with far more information on the subject. This table covers frequencies outside of shortwave.
LF - Low Frequency (30–300 kHz) below shortwave
150 kHz and below: Signals on these frequencies cannot propagate well via the ionosphere, but are able to penetrate ocean water well. As a result, several military stations used for submarine communications are found here. Most transmissions are in CW and RTTY. You need a really large antenna to hear much here, and in most locations electrical noise and static will be too high.
150 to 540 kHz: This is what most SWLs mean by "longwave." Most stations heard in this range are navigation beacons that continuously repeat their call signs in Morse code. There is a also a broadcasting band in Europe from 155 to 281 kHz. Some RTTY signals are found in the upper end of this band. Marine weather and safety broadcasts, known as NAVTEX, are transmitted on 512 kHz. Your best reception here will be at night, especially during the fall and winter months.
MF - Medium Frequency (535-1705 kHz) below shortwave
540 to 1700 kHz: This is the AM broadcasting or "medium wave" band which use to end at 1600 kHz. The AM broadcast band now ends at 1700 kHz, with 1610 to 1700 kHz being the new "X" or "extended" band. New stations began appearing here in late 1997, and this new "X band" is providing excellent DX listening opportunities.
Extended MF - Medium Frequency (1705 kHz - 3000 kHz) also shortwave radio
1700 to 1800 kHz: This is a "grab bag" of miscellaneous radio communications, mainly beacons and navigation aids. You may hear several transmitters that sound like chirping crickets; these are floating beacons used to mark fishing and offshore oil exploration locations.
1800 to 2000 kHz: This is the 160-meter ham radio band. Most voice communications will be in LSB, with best reception at night during the fall and winter months.
2000 to 2300 kHz: This range is used maritime communications, with 2182 kHz reserved for distress messages and calling. There are also several regularly scheduled maritime weather broadcasts buy U.S. Coast Guard stations. Most activity will be in USB, and best reception is at night.
2300 to 2498 kHz: This is the 120-meter broadcasting band, mainly used by stations located in the tropics. However, the FCC has allowed WWCR in Nashville, Tennessee to broadcast here and others may follow.
2498 to 2850 kHz: More maritime stations are found here, as well as standard time and frequency stations WWV and WWVH on 2500 kHz.
HF - High Frequency (3000–30000 kHz) also shortwave radio
2850 to 3150 kHz: This band is used mainly by aeronautical stations in USB. Several stations broadcasting aeronautical weather bulletins, and you can also hear traffic between airports and airplanes aloft.
3150 to 3200 kHz: This range is allocated to fixed stations, with most communications in RTTY.
3200 to 3400 kHz: This is a very interesting segment. This us the 90-meter broadcasting band, used mainly by stations in the tropics. Canadian standard time and frequency station CHU can be heard on 3330 kHz. Several fixed stations also use this range, including several associated with various agencies of the U.S. government. Best reception will be at night.
3400 to 3500 kHz: This range is used for aeronautical communications in USB.
3500 to 4000 kHz: This is the 80-meter ham radio band. The 3500 to 3750 kHz range is used for CW and RTTY communications, and the rest of the band is used for LSB voice. The 3900 to 4000 kHz range is used for broadcasting in Europe and Africa. Best reception is at night.
4000 to 4063 kHz: This is a fixed station band, mainly used by military forces for SSB traffic.
4063 to 4438 kHz: This is a band used for maritime communications in USB, with 4125 kHz being used as a calling frequency.
4438 to 4650 kHz: This range is mainly used for fixed and mobile stations in USB.
4750 to 4995 kHz: This is the 60-meter broadcasting band, used mainly by stations in the tropics. Best reception is in the evening and night hours during the fall and winter. In winter, stations to the east of you begin to fade in an hour or two before your local sunset, and stations to the west of you don’t start to fade out until an hour or so after your local sunrise.
4995 to 5005 kHz: This range is allocated internationally to standard time and frequency stations. In North America, you’ll mainly hear WWV and WWVH on 5000 kHz.
5005 to 5450 kHz: This range is a real jumble! Several broadcasting stations are found in the lower part of the segment, and fixed and mobile stations in SSB, RTTY, and CW are found throughout this band. Best reception is during the evening and night hours.
5450 to 5730 kHz: This is another band for aeronautical communications in USB.
5730 to 5950 kHz: Another jumble of different stations! For years, this band has been used by fixed stations of the U.S. government for communications in USB and RTTY. However, several broadcasters are also showing up here.
5950 to 6200 kHz: This is the 49-meter broadcasting band, and is loaded with signals from late afternoon to a couple of hours after your local sunrise.
6200 to 6525 kHz: This is a very busy band for maritime communication in USB and various FSK modes like AMTOR and FEC.
6525 to 6765 kHz: This is another busy band, this time for aeronautical communications in USB. Best reception is during the evening and night hours.
6765 to 7000 kHz: This segment is allocated to fixed stations, with signals in SSB, CW, FAX modes, and miscellaneous digital modes.
7000 to 7300 kHz: The 7000 to 7100 kHz range is allocated exclusively to ham radio worldwide, although an occasional broadcaster will show up here. The 7100 to 7300 kHz range is allocated exclusively to ham radio in North and South America, but is used for broadcasting in the rest of the world. Several station transmit programs intended for reception in North and South America in this range. As a result, interference is often very heavy here during the night and evening hours. Hams use CW and RTTY from 7000 to 7150 kHz, and mainly LSB from 7150 to 7300 kHz. Best reception is from the late afternoon to early morning, although some hams can usually be heard here around the clock.
7300 to 8195 kHz: This segment is mainly used by fixed stations, such as Canadian standard time and frequency station CHU on 7335 7850 kHz, although several broadcasters can be found in the lower reaches. Various FSK (RTTY) and digital modes are used.
8195 to 8815 kHz: This is a busy maritime band from the late afternoon until early morning, with most traffic in USB and FSK modes.
8815 to 9040 kHz: This is another aeronautical communications band, with traffic in USB. Several stations hear broadcast aeronautical weather reports.
9040 to 9500 kHz: This range is used mainly by fixed station in various FSK and digital modes, but it is also used by several international broadcasters.
9500 to 9900 kHz: This is the 31-meter international broadcasting band, and is packed with stations from around the world. Best reception is usually from mid-afternoon to around mid-morning, although some stations can be heard here throughout the day, especially in winter.
9900 to 9995 kHz: Several international broadcasters use this range along with fixed stations using FSK modes.
9995 to 10005 kHz: This is set aside for standard time and frequency stations, like WWV and WWVH on 10000 kHz.
10005 to 10100 kHz: This range is used for aeronautical communications.
10100 to 10150 kHz: This is the 30-meter ham radio band. Because it is so narrow, operation here is restricted to CW and RTTY.
10150 to 11175 kHz: This segment is used by fixed stations. In addition to various FSK and digital modes, you may hear several international broadcast stations being relayed in SSB. These "feeder" stations are used to send programming to relay sites not served by satellite downlinks.
11175 to 11400 kHz: This range is used for aeronautical communications in USB.
11400 to 11650 kHz: This segment is mainly used by fixed stations in FSK and digital modes, but some international broadcasters also operate here.
11650 to 11975 kHz: This is the 25-meter international broadcasting band. You can usually hear several stations here no matter what time of day you listen.
11975 to 12330 kHz: This band is primarily used by fixed stations in FSK and digital modes, although several international broadcasters are found in the lower area.
12330 to 13200 kHz: This is a busy maritime communications band during the day and evening hours, with traffic in USB and various FSK modes.
13200 to 13360 kHz: Aeronautical communications in USB are heard here during the day and evening.
13360 to 13600 kHz: This range is used by fixed stations, mainly in FSK and digital modes.
13600 to 13800 kHz: This is the 22-meter international broadcasting band, with best reception generally during the daytime and early evening.
13800 to 14000 kHz: This is used by fixed stations, with most communications in FSK modes.
14000 to 14350 kHz: This is the 20-meter ham radio band. The lowest 100 kHz is reserved for CW and RTTY use, with USB popular in the rest of the band (although U.S. hams cannot transmit in SSB below 14150 kHz). Best reception is during the daytime and early evening.
14350 to 14990 kHz: This segment is used by fixed stations, primarily in FSK and digital modes. Canadian standard time station CHU is also found here, on 14670 kHz.
14990 to 15010 kHz: This sliver is reserved for standard time and frequency stations, with the best heard being WWV and WWVH on 15000 kHz.
15010 to 15100 kHz: This range is for aeronautical communications in USB, although a few international broadcasters do show up here.
15100 to 15600 kHz: This is the 19-meter international broadcasting band, and it is usually packed with signals during the daytime and early evening.
15600 to 16460 kHz: This band is used by fixed stations in USB, FSK modes, and digital modes.
16460 to 17360 kHz: This range is shared between maritime and fixed stations using USB, FSK modes, and digital modes. Best reception here is generally during the daytime.
17360 to 17550 kHz: The range is shared by aeronautical and fixed stations using USB, FSK modes, and digital modes.
17550 to 17900 kHz: This is the 16-meter international broadcasting band, and best reception is usually during the daylight hours.
17900 to 18030 kHz: This band is used for aeronautical communications in USB.
18030 to 18068 kHz: This range is used by fixed stations, mainly in FSK and digital modes.
18068 to 18168 kHz: This is the 17-meter ham radio band, where CW, RTTY, and USB are used.
18168 to 19990 kHz: This large band is used by fixed stations, with a few maritime stations also found here. Most traffic is in FSK and digital modes. An interesting frequency is 19954 kHz, used for decades as a beacon frequency by Soviet/Russian manned spacecraft. Reception in this range will usually be limited to daylight hours.
19990 to 20010 kHz: This segment is reserved for standard time and frequency stations, like WWV on 20000 kHz. Reception here is usually possible only in daytime.
20010 to 21000 kHz: This range is mainly used by fixed stations and a few aeronautical stations. Most traffic is in FSK and digital modes as well as USB.
21000 to 21450 kHz: This is the 15-meter ham radio band. CW and RTTY is mainly found in the first 200 kHz, and USB is used in the rest of the band. Best reception here is in the daytime hours.
21450 to 21850 kHz: This is the 13-meter international broadcasting band, with best reception during the daytime.
21850 to 22000 kHz: This band is shared by fixed and aeronautical stations in FSK and digital modes as well as USB.
22000 to 22855 kHz: This range is reserved for maritime communications in USB and FSK modes. Best reception is in daytime during years of high sunspot activity.
22855 to 23200 kHz: This band is used by fixed stations, mainly in FSK and digital modes.
23200 to 23350 kHz: Aeronautical communications in USB are found here.
23350 to 24890 kHz: This segment is used by fixed stations in FSK and digital modes.
24890 to 24990 kHz: This is the 12-meter ham radio band, used for CW, FSK, and USB work. Reception is usually limited to the daytime during years of high sunspot activity.
24990 to 25010 kHz: This range is for standard time and frequency stations, although none are currently operating here.
25010 to 25550 kHz: This band is used by fixed, mobile, and maritime stations, many of them low powered units in trucks, taxicabs, small boats, etc. USB and AM are mainly used, along with FM having 5 kHz deviation. Best reception is during daytime in years of high sunspot activity or during a sporadic-E propagation opening.
25550 to 25670 kHz: This region is reserved for radio astronomy and is usually free of stations.
25670 to 26100 kHz: This is the 11-meter international broadcasting band. However, only Radio France International has any broadcasts scheduled here at this time.. Reception is usually possible only in daytime during years of high sunspot activity.
26100 to 28000 kHz: This band is used by fixed, mobile, and maritime stations, many of them low powered units in trucks, taxicabs, small boats, etc. USB and AM are mainly used, along with FM having 5 kHz deviation. The citizens band (CB) is found from 26965 to 27405 kHz. Best reception is during daytime in years of high sunspot activity or during a sporadic-E propagation opening.
28000 to 29700 kHz: This is the 10-meter ham radio band. Most activity is in USB from 28300 to 28600 kHz, with FM used on 29600 kHz. Best reception is during daytime in years of high sunspot activity or during a sporadic-E propagation opening.
29700 to 30000 kHz: This range is used by low powered fixed and mobile stations, mainly using FM with 5 kHz deviation.
