General Discussion

FrodosPet

(5,169 posts)

14. Shortwave Broadcasting vs Amateur (Ham) Radio

Sat Apr 4, 2015, 02:28 AM

Apr 2015

Both shortwave broadcasting and ham radio use what is commonly referred to as the HF (high frequency) part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Ham radio consists of hobbyists who communicate with each other on the HF, as well as LF (low frequency), VHF (very high frequency), UHF (ultra high frequency), and microwave frequencies. Except for a small number of reasons, broadcasting is prohibited.

One major aspect of amateur radio is providing emergency communications when standard communications media is down or overloaded.

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37 replies

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Poll: Does Shortwave Radio Have a Future? [View all] RKP5637 Apr 2015 OP

"only this year we’ve found that shortwave radio" Thor_MN Apr 2015 #1

Yeah, I'm not sure how that comment came about. SW has been used for eons for RKP5637 Apr 2015 #2

Radio can be jammed, and transmitters seized, but options are always good. Thor_MN Apr 2015 #3

Yep! n/t RKP5637 Apr 2015 #4

Umm.. poorly written piece. X_Digger Apr 2015 #5

Yep, triangulation and monitoring can be pretty easy, at least as I've understood it. ... but, RKP5637 Apr 2015 #6

In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, shortwave was awesome FrodosPet Apr 2015 #7

It sure was fun while it lasted! I sadly recall, I believe it was "Radio Netherlands" RKP5637 Apr 2015 #8

My heart broke when Radio Netherlands went off the air... Gloria Apr 2015 #10

Thank you for your reply and summary!!! RKP5637 Apr 2015 #15

Mostly, it's just religious nuts anymore. Frank Cannon Apr 2015 #22

Pretty much my findings too. Then, there was one transmission where I lived that sold medical RKP5637 Apr 2015 #23

The Internet is just a passing fad. Binkie The Clown Apr 2015 #9

is shortwave diff from ham radio? Liberal_in_LA Apr 2015 #11

Shortwave Broadcasting vs Amateur (Ham) Radio FrodosPet Apr 2015 #14

thank you Liberal_in_LA Apr 2015 #35

You've apparently never heard a jammed radio signal brooklynite Apr 2015 #12

Remember the signals jammed by Russia, I recall them well. RKP5637 Apr 2015 #16

I know that the existence of SW radio operators Jenoch Apr 2015 #13

One concern I have is today we are relying more and more on what I call fragile RKP5637 Apr 2015 #17

I agree. Jenoch Apr 2015 #18

Yep, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Here some info. on it ... RKP5637 Apr 2015 #19

You know what? Jenoch Apr 2015 #20

LOL, I can relate to that quite well! RKP5637 Apr 2015 #21

What is the rangeof digital SW? Jenoch Apr 2015 #25

Yep, digital SW is shorter. It doesn't skip across the ionosphere like analogue sw as RKP5637 Apr 2015 #29

I don't have any hands on experience Jenoch Apr 2015 #33

I recall once being miles and miles from Boston and listening to an FM station. I think it was RKP5637 Apr 2015 #34

I was a very active shortwave listener in the 50s and 60s. MineralMan Apr 2015 #24

Same here, it was incredible fun. I recall well doing a mod to my parent's radio in the 50's RKP5637 Apr 2015 #27

I started out with a console Zenith radio from the 40s. MineralMan Apr 2015 #28

Especially the cost! As the huge transmitting towers were blasted down, the big players said RKP5637 Apr 2015 #30

I looked up a couple of manufacturers of SW transmitters. MineralMan Apr 2015 #31

Interesting, I'm rather impressed at face value of the website you sent. ... then there RKP5637 Apr 2015 #32

I used to mess around with ham radio back in the day. hifiguy Apr 2015 #26

I'm just answering the subject line, based on my use... MrMickeysMom Apr 2015 #36

I discovered short wave radio in high school. bikebloke Apr 2015 #37