Testing Your New Setup

Instead of hunting for readable signals, check out the following links for schedules, along with easy targets to tune. Please read them carefully to see if the software you are using is compatible. See our HF Software Decoders article for more information.

This list is nowhere near all-inclusive; additions are solicited.

ALE (a.k.a MIL-STD-188-141A)

Probably one of the fastest growing modes in terms of number of users, it's hard to think that any list is complete, but this should get you started.

• ALE Networks
• The 2015 Digital Digest has information on the US Air Force Global HF ALE Network - see the HF Appendix for the link to this document, which is very inexpensive.

Baudot RTTY

• Deutscher Wetterdienst (German Weather Service) schedule (PDF)
• Station KPH's frequencies and schedule

FAX

• NOAA Worldwide FAX Schedule (PDF)

GMDSS/DSC

• During local evenings, you can hear Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on the frequency of 2187.5. Other frequencies to check (subject to propagation and local conditions) would include 6312, 8414.5, 12577 and 16804.5 kHz. See the link for additional frequencies, a description of the mode, compatible software and more.

HFDL

• The frequencies for the various HFDL sites can be found here as a zip file. It also contains a file that can be used in the registered version of PC-HFDL. See our HFDL article for more on this mode.

MFSK and other modes

• Shortwave Radiogram Digital Tests
• Shortwave Radiogram Gateway
  • If you are a beginner and want more information on how to decode these tests, pay attention to the How Do I Get Started? topic

SITOR-B (NAVTEX) Broadcasts

There are a number of stations that use this mode for news, weather and other information. Some have specific schedules.

• HF SITOR Broadcasts by William Hepburn
• NAVTEX Broadcasts by William Hepburn
• World NAVTEX Database for DXers (PDF file)
• USCG Sitor-B Broadcasts

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