High frequency

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high frequency (HF)
Cycles per second: 3MHz to 30MHz
Wavelength: 100m to 10m
High frequency (HF) radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. Shortwave (2.310 - 25.820 MHz) is below this range.

high frequency (HF)
Cycles per second: 3MHz to 30MHz Wavelength: 100m to 10m

Since the ionosphere often reflects HF radio waves quite well (a phenomenon known as Skywave), this range is extensively used for medium and long range terrestrial radio communication. However, suitability of this portion of the spectrum for such communication varies greatly with a complex combination of factors:

Sunlight/darkness at site of transmission and reception
Transmitter/receiver proximity to terminator
Season
Sunspot cycle
Solar activity
Polar aurora
Maximum usable frequency
Lowest usable high frequency
Frequency of operation within the HF range

The high frequency band is very popular with amateur radio operators, who can take advantage of direct, long-distance (often inter-continental) communications and the "thrill factor" resulting from making contacts in variable conditions. International shortwave broadcasting utilizes this set of frequencies, as well as a seemingly declining number of "utility" users (marine, aviation, military, and diplomatic interests), who have, in recent years, been swayed over to less volatile means of communication (for example, via satellites), but may maintain HF stations after switch-over for back-up purposes. CB radios operate in the higher portion of the range (around 27 MHz), as do some studio-to-transmitter (STL) radio links. Some modes of communication, such as continuous wave morse code transmissions (especially by amateur radio operators) and single sideband voice transmissions are more common in the HF range than on other frequencies, because of their bandwidth-conserving nature, but broadband modes, such as TV transmissions, are generally prohibited by HF's relatively small chunk of electromagnetic spectrum space.

Noise, especially man-made interference from electronic devices, tends to have a great effect on the HF bands. In recent years, concerns have risen among certain users of the HF spectrum over "broadband over power lines" (BPL) Internet access, which is believed to have an almost destructive effect on HF communications. This is due to the frequencies on which BPL operates (typically corresponding with the HF band) and the tendency for the BPL "signal" to leak from power lines. Some BPL providers have installed "notch filters" to block out certain portions of the spectrum (namely the amateur radio bands), but a great amount of controversy over the deployment of this access method remains.

External articles

Tomislav Stimac, "[Definition of frequency bands (VLF, ELF... etc.)]". IK1QFK Home Page (vlf.it).

Douglas C. Smith, [High Frequency Measurements Web Page; Index and Technical Tidbits]. D. C. Smith Consultants, Los Gatos, CA.
[High Frequency Propagation Models], its.bldrdoc.gov.
[High Frequency Wave Propagation], cscamm.umd.edu.
"[Grounding for Low- and High-Frequency Circuits]" (PDF)
"[High frequency noise]" (PDF)

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Radio spectrum
ELF	SLF	ULF	VLF	LF	MF	HF	VHF	UHF	SHF	EHF
3 Hz	30 Hz	300 Hz	3 kHz	30 kHz	300 kHz	3 MHz	30 MHz	300 MHz	3 GHz	30 GHz
30 Hz	300 Hz	3 kHz	30 kHz	300 kHz	3 MHz	30 MHz	300 MHz	3 GHz	30 GHz	300 GHz

High frequency

See also

Further reading

External articles