Utility Monitoring

The purpose of this section is to gather and group HF Utility Monitoring information in a single location. For information on antennas, please see the Antennas Wiki

Aircraft

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. Another utilization of HF communications is for HFDL or High Frequency DataLink. Finally Military Aircraft (MILCRAFT) utilize HF for operational and training.

• ICAO HF Aeronautical Stations - Aircraft use the ICAO stations to communicate over water when out of VHF radio range.
• HFDL misnamed HF Datalink, it's really an HF version of ACARS

ALE (Automatic Link Establishment)

• The ALE page has a listing of all the packages that decode ALE.
• The ALE Networks page consolidates a listing of active ALE networks.

Digital Decoding

• Utility Monitoring Central
• Here's Marius Rensen's popular HF FAX site for FAX/SSTV information

Audio Samples of Digital Signals

• HF Asia Digital sounds website
• KB9UKD Digital Modes Samples
• Signals Digital Modes section

Hurricane Related Frequency Lists

• Hugh Stegman's Hurricane Frequency List
• Bill Snyder's Hurricane Frequencies
• NOAA HF Sitor schedule information
• WLO Mobile Ala. frequencies and schedules

Military

See our HF Military Communications page for more information about monitoring the military on HF.

MW (AM Band) Rejection Filters

• ICE BCB Filters
• Kiwa Broadcast Band Rejection Filter
• Kiwa Broadcast Band Filter for Longwires
• PAR BCST-HPF Filter
  • PAR AM Broadcast Filter review from MT
• Scanner Master Filters page
• Stridsberg Engineering Filters

Other Websites

• Armed Forces Network
  • What was once known as the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network (AFRTS)
• CL's shortwave listener's service
• Interested in hearing marine stations/ships on HF? Check out the HF Maritime Communications article
• MT Milcom Blog by Larry Van Horn
• MT Utility World Blog by Hugh Stegman
• Monitoring NASA and Space Communications (PDF)
• MT Top 1000 Frequencies
• Southbound 2 Net page by Herb Hilgenberg VE3LML
• Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day
• Utility DXers Forum Home Page
• Utility World
• What is an EAM? by Jeff Haverlah (MT Website)
• William Hepburn's DX Information Centre
• WUN Links Archive

Propagation and Solar Information

• AC6V Propagation Links
• EHam Propagation Links
• Grey Line Map
• Geoclock
• Spaceweather.Com
• SunClock
• W6ELProp propagation prediction software
• NOAA Space Environment Center

Receiver Control Software

• Strong Signals Software HF section

Receiver Modifications

• INRAD Filters and Enhancements
• Kiwa Electronics
• Mods.DK
• Sherwood Engineering

Receiver Reviews and User Opinions

• A brief review of the RF Space SDR-IQ Software Defined Radio
• AC6V Receiver Reviews and Surveys
• AOR Receivers
• DXing.Info Equipment Page
• EHam Receiver user reviews
• Icom Receivers
• Phil's Buyers Guide 2006 (PDF)
• RadioIntel Receivers page 1
• RadioIntel Receivers and Accesories page
• R Netherlands Receiver Shopping List (archive by MWCircle)
• Realistic DX394 Receiver
• Receiver Test Data from Sherwood Engineering
• Yaesu Receivers

US Federal Goverment

• ICE - Monitoring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HF Operations

Utility Related Clubs and mailing lists

• COTHEN
• HF Spotters
• iscanmarine
• Low Level
• MilAirCommsChat
• Milcom
• MilGov Monitoring
• MT Radio Clubs and Nets page
• Ontario DX Association (ODXA)
• Radio Monitors
• ScannerTalk
• Utility DXers Forum
• Utility Listening