Shortwave radio frequencies are used to stay connected to information from all around the world. Shortwave radios operate in the portion of the radio spectrum which covers the frequencies from 3 to 30 MHz (Mega Hertz). This is a portion of the band which allows reception of communications for thousands of miles. This means listeners will be able to pickup news broadcasts, music programs, and other programming from all around the world.
There are many uses of the shortwave radio band, but the most common communications are: Domestic broadcasting, international broadcasting to foreign audiences, and communication among amateur radio operators. A popular hobby of shortwave listeners is referred to as DXing. In Dxing the goal is to hear as many stations as possible from as many countries as possible all around the world. Many of these foreign stations provide confirmation in the form of QSL cards, and various other promotional items to shortwave listeners confirming their reception.
Foreign stations often broadcast concurrently on several frequencies. This is because the best time to hear certain frequencies in different parts of the world is not the same during different times of the day. Therefore, you have several frequencies to use in your effort to find a particular station on your program schedule. Generally, the best time to listen for foreign stations is at night. You can also get great reception at both sunset and sunrise. This does not mean you shouldn't try during the day, because atmospheric conditions vary and can provide good communication anytime. The challenge to listening is that atmospheric interference can sometimes make reception difficult.
Shortwave radios use frequencies that are divided into bands. These bands are identified by the frequency's actual wavelength in meters. Sometime these bands are marked on the radio along with frequency ranges. What is important to know is that the bands each identify a specific range of frequencies as in the abbreviated band chart that follows:
Band.........Frequency in MHz
120 m.......2.30 2.50
90 m........3.20 3.40
75 m........3.90 4.00
60 m........4.75 5.06
49 m........5.90 6.20
41 m........7.10 7.60
31 m........9.20 9.90
25 m........11.60 12.20
22 m........13.57 13.87
19 m........15.10 15.80
16 m........17.48 17.90
13 m........21.45 21.85
11 m........25.60 26.10
A great source for current program scheduling is "The NASWA WWW Shortwave Listening Guide" which can be found at http://www.naswa.net/swlguide/.