High frequency or shortwave radio has been around for many years. Marconi even used it! Worldband radio, as it is also called, is completely different to VHF/UHF scanning but it's still a fun and exciting hobby which requires generally less money than the scanning hobby.

One can easily put up a simple longwire antenna and buy a relatively cheap shortwave table-top or portable radio. Antenna information will be added shortly.

Please note HF Amateur frequencies are covered on the Amateur Radio page.

Modes use by the below frequencies can be a mix of AM, DRM and SSB.

Shortwave radio is not like FM radio where usually atmospheric conditions don't cause havoc when listening. Shortwave radio can suffer from this and may from time to time start humming or making strange popping like sounds and other weird noises, stations may fade away and you might be left with very little to listen to for a period of time.

This is all quite normal and is just an unfortunate part of shortwave radio monitoring. Generally night time and early morning are the best times to listen as the radio waves can bounce further and interference is usually less. The humming effect and weird noises on shortwave is to do with the weather, specifically solar weather.

High Solar Flare activity is normally the cause for poor quality or quiet conditions, to see the current solar activity and view each status please visit the following site by N3KL: here.