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.
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.