Ham and Shortwave Radio for the Electronics Hobbyist

CHAPTER 2

Shortwave and Allwave Listening

The frequency range from 3 MHz to 30 MHz (wavelengths of 100 meters to 10 meters) is sometimes called the shortwave band. You can build or buy a shortwave radio receiver, install an outdoor wire antenna, and listen to signals from all around the world in an activity called shortwave listening (SWL). If you extend the receiving range below 3 MHz down to the lowest frequencies you can get a radio to bring in, and if you can also extend the range above 30 MHz up to the highest frequencies you can manage, you can think of the hobby as allwave listening (AWL). In the United States, you don’t need any sort of license to engage in radio listening at any frequency. In some countries, however, you will have ...