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"HF" is an abbreviation for "High Frequency." See [[Spectrum]].
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High frequency communications occur in the 0.5-30 [[MHz]] band.
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'''Welcome to the RadioReference HF Gateway. "HF" is an abbreviation for "High Frequency."  See [[Spectrum]].'''
  
Many of the FAQs linked here are (courtesy of [http://www.dxing.com DXing.Com] from Universal Radio of Reynoldsburg Oh.
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High frequency communications occur in the 2-30 [[MHz]] band. Signals in this band can be refracted by the ionosphere allowing worldwide propagation. The distance varies depending on time of day, the solar cycle and current solar and geomagnetic activity, but in general it's best to listen below 10 mhz at night, above this during the day. Our [[HF Propagation]] article has links that describe these phenomenon in greater detail.
  
== AM (MW) Band ==
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Many of the FAQs linked here are courtesy of [http://www.dxing.com DXing.Com] from Universal Radio of Reynoldsburg Oh. and the Monitoring Times website.
540-1700 Khz
 
[http://www.dxing.com/amband.htm Intro to AM(MW) DXing]
 
*  See our [[SWL Broadcast]] page for clubs devoted to this topic
 
*  Also check out the [http://www.radiointel.com/ref.htm RadioIntel References] page for more information
 
*  Look for the topic 'MW (AM) & FM' for more links on the subject
 
  
== HF Amateur Radio Bands ==
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*  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-wave_radio Wikipedia article on SW Radio]
 
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*  [http://www.dxing.com/modesand.htm Commonly Used Modes]
160 Meters (1.800-2.000 MHz)
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*  [http://www.dxing.com/tuning.htm Frequency Ranges and Uses]
 
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*  [http://www.dxing.com/frequenc.htm Frequency vs.Wavelength]
80 Meters (3.500-4.000 MHz)
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*  [http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/glossary.html Glossary of Terminology]
 
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*  [http://www.dxing.com/radterms.htm Terms and Abbreviations]
40 Meters (7.000-7.300 MHz)
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*  [http://www.dxing.com/utcgmt.htm UTC and GMT]
 
 
30 Meters (10.100-10.150 MHz)
 
 
 
'''NOTE ''' US Amateurs are limited to 200w PEP, and must use CW or digital modes (no voice). This is a shared band, and hams must avoid causing interference to other users. There is an encrypted RTTY station (assumed by many to be the US Navy) in the low portion of this band.
 
  
20 Meters (14.000-14.350 MHz)
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The RR forum for this topic can be found [http://www.radioreference.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=79 here]
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17 Meters (18.068-18.168 MHz)
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== Amateur Radio ==
15 Meters (21.000-21.450 MHz)
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* [[Amateur Radio on HF]]  
 
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12 Meters (24.890-24.990 MHz)
 
 
 
10 Meters (28.000-29.700 MHz)
 
 
 
'''NOTE ''' In July 2003, US amateurs (Generals and above) were given permission to use 5 specific frequencies in the 5 mhz region.  This came with several restrictions for mode and output power.  This [http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/faq-60.html#q4 FAQ] outlines the frequencies and restrictions.
 
 
 
*  Here's a very comprehensive list of amateur nets, updated regularly, edited by John Norfolk
 
*  [http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html Nets to You]
 
*  And for storm-related nets, see...
 
*  [http://www.ominous-valve.com/hurricne.txt Hugh Stegman's Hurricane Frequency List]
 
*  [http://aa6kc.home.mindspring.com/ Bill Snyder's Hurricane Frequency List]
 
 
 
Some popular ham websites:
 
* [http://www.arrl.org ARRL]
 
*  [http://www.eham.net Eham.net]
 
*  [http://www.qrz.com QRZ.com]
 
  
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== Citizen's Band ==
 
== Citizen's Band ==
 
*  See the [[Citizens Band]] page for frequencies and channels
 
*  See the [[Citizens Band]] page for frequencies and channels
 
*  [http://www.reactintl.org/ REACT]  
 
*  [http://www.reactintl.org/ REACT]  
*  The best known public service users of CB (tho they use other ranges, too)
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== Short Wave Broadcast ==
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What is short wave broadcasting? These FAQs will help explain it;
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== Short Wave Broadcast ==   
* [http://www.shortwave.org/faq.htm FAQ from the National Association of SW Broadcaster (NASB)]  
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* [[SWL Broadcast]]
* [http://www.dxing.com/swlintro.htm Introduction to SWL]
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* [[Pirates and Clandestines]]
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Some FAQs about the terminology you will hear used;  
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*  [http://www.dxing.com/modesand.htm Commonly Used Modes]
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== Utility Monitoring ==
*  [http://www.dxing.com/tuning.htm Frequency Ranges and Uses]
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*[[Utility Monitoring]]
*  [http://www.dxing.com/frequenc.htm Frequency vs.Wavelength]
 
*  [http://www.dxing.com/radterms.htm Terms and Abbreviations]
 
*  [http://www.dxing.com/utcgmt.htm UTC and GMT]
 
* Take a look at the [[SWL Broadcast]] page for many related links
 
  
and there's other kinds of short wave broadcasting, too...
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=== Utility Topics ===     
* [http://www.dxing.com/pirate.htm Introduction to Pirate Radio]
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* [[ALE]]
* [http://www.dxing.com/clandest.htm Introduction to Clandestine Radio]
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* [[COTHEN]]
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* [[Federal Aviation Administration]]
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* [[HF Aeronautical Communications]] 
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* [[HF Digital Decoding]]
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* [[HF Maritime Communications]]
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* [[HF Military Communications]]
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* [[ICE]] - Monitoring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HF Operations
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* [[United States Coast Guard]]
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* [[USAF High Frequency Global Communications System]]
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== Utility Monitoring ==
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The best way to describe Utility (Ute) monitoring is to use negative logic; it excludes everything defined above. Not CB, Amateur nor Short Wave Broadcast. This includes, but is not limited to, aeronautical stations, digital signals (outside of the specified amateur bands), military, maritime, federal and other users. See our [[Utility Monitoring]] page for more information and links.
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==Equipment==
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* For links to antennas, reviews, modifications and filters, see our [[HF Equipment and Accessories]] article
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== Online HF Receivers ==
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There are quite a few receivers online that you can listen to HF communications. Some of them even allow you to control the radio for limited times. Some others are set to a specific frequency on the HF band that usually has a lot of activity. See the [[Live Tunable Receivers]] article
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[[Category:HF Topics]]
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[[Category:RR Glossary]]
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[[Category:Gateways]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 12 March 2010

Welcome to the RadioReference HF Gateway. "HF" is an abbreviation for "High Frequency." See Spectrum.

High frequency communications occur in the 2-30 MHz band. Signals in this band can be refracted by the ionosphere allowing worldwide propagation. The distance varies depending on time of day, the solar cycle and current solar and geomagnetic activity, but in general it's best to listen below 10 mhz at night, above this during the day. Our HF Propagation article has links that describe these phenomenon in greater detail.

Many of the FAQs linked here are courtesy of DXing.Com from Universal Radio of Reynoldsburg Oh. and the Monitoring Times website.

The RR forum for this topic can be found here



Amateur Radio


Citizen's Band




Equipment

Online HF Receivers

There are quite a few receivers online that you can listen to HF communications. Some of them even allow you to control the radio for limited times. Some others are set to a specific frequency on the HF band that usually has a lot of activity. See the Live Tunable Receivers article