HF Aeronautical Communications

Description and Links

Aircraft utilize HF communications when VHF (Line of Sight) communications is not sufficient. The primary usage of HF is for Trans-oceanic flights. Trans-oceanic flights communicate with ground stations via HF for position reports and other purposes.

• Aeronautical Enroute and Aeronautical Fixed Stations regulations
• CCIR (selcall)
• MWARA frequencies - Aircraft use these stations to communicate over water when out of VHF radio range.
• For a complete list of all Aero services (including VOLMETs and RDARAs), see the International HF Aero Frequency List
• VOLMET Aeronautical stations broadcasting weather worldwide

What Equipment Will I Need to Hear these Stations?

• See our The HF Utility Receiver and Accessories article for a discussion of this topic.

Digital and Other Modes

HFDL, otherwise known as High Frequency Data Link, or HF ACARS, is now used extensively by many commercial airlines. There is a whole sub-culture of people that use various software packages to copy this mode and track flights which can be found on the Utility DXers Forum group. This is also the place to be for logs of stations calling MWARA stations.

Magazine Logs

The Spectrum Monitor Electronic Magazine is the only remaining hobby level magazine that publishes logs from its subscribers. Most others have gone by the wayside, having been supplanted by many web-based sites - which may or may not have up to date information.