Shortwave Listening

 

What Are Bands?

The most important concept to learn is that of shortwave bands. If you have ever listened to AM or FM radio, then you already know what a band is. The AM band is the frequency range stretching from 530 to 1710 kilohertz; the FM band is 88 to 108 megahertz. A band is simply a frequency range where stations are located. When you look for stations in these "bands", you simply tune around with your tuning buttons (or the tuning knob on an analog radio) until you find a station that you can receive clearly. Shortwave is very similar in concept except that there are multiple shortwave bands named 25 meters, 31 meters, 49 meters, etc. (these are abbreviated as 25m, 31m and 49m respectively). Just like with AM and FM radio, simply dial into a shortwave band and tune around for stations. For example, the 19 meter shortwave band encompasses the frequency range of 15100 to 15600 kilohertz. A helpful analogy may be to think of a shortwave band like a street with a full range of individual addresses on it. The 19 meter band could be called "19 Meter Street". Like any street, "19 Meter Street" has a range of addresses that represent individual house numbers such as 15100, 15105, 15110, etc. In this case, a house number is actually a frequency, so by visiting a house you are going to a specific frequency or radio station. In the chart below is a list of the shortwave bands used for international shortwave broadcasts and their corresponding frequency ranges.

Some radios show frequency in megahertz and some in kilohertz (abbreviated as MHz and KHz respectively), so both are shown on the chart. On some shortwave radios, frequencies will look like 15100 KHz, 15105 KHz or 15110 KHz, whereas on other radios they might look like 15.1 MHz, 15.105 MHz or 15.11 MHz. To determine which frequency designation your radio has for shortwave, look at your radio’s tuning scale, digital display, or owner’s manual. The exact frequency ranges for shortwave bands may vary from one radio model to another. This is completely normal and due to design differences among manufacturers and their radio models. On some radios, bands are clearly marked while on others they are not marked at all.


Day & Night Bands.

Because shortwave signals depend on such factors as the sun, the ionosphere, and interaction with the earth itself, signals cannot be heard on all bands throughout the day. Some bands are best during the daylight hours, and some are best at night. In general, the bands with frequencies below 13 MHz (13000 KHz) are better at night and the bands with frequencies above 13 MHz (13000 KHz) are best during the day. Shown in the next sections are charts that list the characteristics of the major shortwave bands. Follow these guidelines for best listening results. Generally speaking, the best time for listening to shortwave, when signals are strongest and clearest, is the time around sunrise and sunset. Usually there’s a two-hour window for optimal listening, but it may extend up to three or four hours. To determine what’s best for you, experiment with different combinations of time and frequency.


Daytime Listening.

Shortwave listening is generally at its poorest during the daylight hours from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. The major reason for this is that broadcasters are not transmitting to your region at this time, assuming that people are either at work or at school and unable to listen during the day. Typically, daytime shortwave tends to be poor in most parts of the world, but experiment to hear what it’s like in your area.


Nighttime Listening.

Shortwave listening is at its best in the evening because broadcasters are deliberately transmitting to your region. These bands may be particularly good around sunset and sunrise.