Checking short-wave.info, there are 68 signals on the air on 31 meters as I write this (at 0413 UTC). Only a handful broadcast in English, and a good number are in Chinese.
EDIT: The BBC on 9915 is coming in like a local in Arizona right now.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
What’s Going To Happen To Legacy Broadcast Bands When The Lights Go Out?
- Thread starter kwthom
- Start date
EDIT: The BBC on 9915 is coming in like a local in Arizona right now.
Yes, 31 meters is alive and, I guess, as well as any SW broadcast band is these days. I stand by my original example of the marine band. There's really nothing there, for the most part.
Apparently, marine and maybe aircraft communications have moved to satellite for the most part. But broadcasters' use is still alive and well, but is not what it was 30+ years ago outside of China and US bible-bangers. I'm listening to Radio New Zealand on 15720 right now (0438 UTC), and their signal is S9+.
Most of those alleged signals are either inaudible or at unlistenable levels here in the U.S. The 31 meter band, and other shortwave bands, are pretty empty compared to a few decades ago.
You are right noting that there is still a lot of shortwave coming out of China.
That would be a broadcast to East Africa coming from the MGLOB facility in Madagascar. Very favorable beam for reception in North America.
RNZ’s Central Pacific beam is very favorable for reception in the U.S.
Pre-1990 the original RNZ 7.5kw transmitters would put in a quite respectable signal here in Texas, despite the very modest power.
OK. Now turn on your SW radio and listen for however many of those signals are on the airwaves any given night. In the Northwestern US, where I am, it's a handful, unless it's early morning and China and Korea and Japan et al are rolling in. In 1990, there would have been at least 20-25 broadcasts every night, even during the following Solar Minimum around 1998.
I am aware, though, that in the Eastern Hemisphere (Asia, Africa, the EU) the signal levels are probably much higher, and as I use Short-wave.info I know that they're pretty good with listing all the broadcasts on the bands worldwide.
Signal levels here in much of North American would probably be a lot higher here except the Solar Cycle hasn't really kicked in yet. And according to a chart on NASA, where the Solar Cycle is now isn't much higher than a Solar minimum in the 1970s.
About 10 years ago I used to pick up NZ/Australia late night talk shows from Phoenix. Don't remember the freq but it always came in very strong a bit after noon AZ time.
And longing for the old days.....anything on encrypted TTY 12966 today? AM, not SSB. That was the most reliable way of reaching mainland America (NPG SF) from SE Asia in the 60's. And you think that band is noisy now? Back then it was like being inside a corrugated metal sawmill on full throttle.
- Status