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Shortwave Broadcasting
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Various bands throughout the HF (and, technically, the MF) spectrum are used for what is commonly referred to as shortwave broadcasting. Most broadcasts use AM modulation, which can be received on inexpensive shortwave receivers. Within these bands, shortwave broadcasters use channels spaced every 5 kHz. Different broadcasters may use the same channel at different times, and schedules of shortwave broadcasts (which are coordinated through the International Telecommunication Union) change on a regular basis. Most shortwave broadcasts also use very high power, as much as 500,000 W, using very large antenna arrays.
Because many broadcasts are sent through relay stations, the identity of the broadcaster does not necessarily tell you where the signal is coming from. For example, Radio Moscow is retransmitted from a relay station in Cuba, to provide a strong signal into North, Central, and South America.
Most shortwave bands are referred to by their approximate wavelength. For example, the 9400-9900 kHz band is referred to as the "31 meter band," because the wavelength is approximately 31 m.
The Website Short-Wave.info (linked below) can be used to identify shortwave stations broadcasting on specific frequencies at specific times, in a specified language.
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service11 | Table |
| 2300 - 2495 kHz | 120 m tropical (regional) band | Broadcasting | - |
| 3200 - 3400 kHz | 90 m tropical band | Broadcasting | - |
| 3900 - 4000 kHz | 75 m band (shared with North American 80 m amateur radio band) | Broadcasting | - |
| 4750 - 5060 kHz | 60 m band | Broadcasting | - |
| 5900 - 6200 kHz | 49 m band | Broadcasting | - |
| 7200 - 7450 kHz | 41 m band (shared with amateur radio 40 m band) | Broadcasting | - |
| 9400 - 9900 kHz | 31 m band (most heavily used shortwave broadcasting band) | Broadcasting | - |
| 11600 - 12100 kHz | 25 m band | Broadcasting | - |
| 13570 - 13870 kHz | 22 m band (heavily used in Europe/Asia) | Broadcasting | - |
| 15100 - 15800 kHz | 19 m band | Broadcasting | - |
| 17480 - 17900 kHz | 16 m band | Broadcasting | - |
| 18900 - 19020 kHz | 15 m band (lightly used) | Broadcasting | - |
| 21450 - 21850 kHz | 13 m band | Broadcasting | - |
| 25600 - 26100 kHz | 11 m band (may be used for local digital shortwave broadcasting) | Broadcasting | - |
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