HF Communications

HF Communications

The Past and Future of HF Communication

For nearly a century high frequency (HF) communication was the long haul method preferred by governments, militaries, intelligence agencies, embassies, etc. The private sector, including maritime, aeronautics and telecommunications used HF for their worldwide communications as well.

Shortwave broadcasting was prolific during the HF golden years. Almost every country used shortwave as a means to communicate or spread propaganda to their citizens and other peoples worldwide. Over the years, with shrinking budgets and the availability of the Internet and satellites, many shortwave broadcasters significantly reduced their coverage markets. Some even ceased their HF operating all together.

Shortwave broadcasting continues today, but in much narrower niche markets. While a few foreign governments still utilize the shortwave bands to broadcast local news and political propaganda, commercial businesses and religious organizations are perhaps the most active users of shortwave broadcasting these days. They can be heard on many HF frequencies.

Pirate Radio Stations

Also, when tuning the shortwave bands you may hear what are commonly known as “pirate radio stations.” These are unlicensed stations that pop up for a time, but when compromised move to another frequency. Their broadcasting location and transmitter site may change if confronted with government surveillance.

Hams and the HF Bands

Hams have embraced HF from the very beginning. They have generally kept HF alive even though many public and private sector entities have dismissed it as an archaic method of communicating. That is not to say that HF has no value. It does have value. Utilizing HF, hams can communicate over long distances without dependency on repeaters, telco facilities or the internet. This capability can prove invaluable in times of emergency.

There have been attempts to take HF frequencies away from hams by the government and re-farm them out to the private sector. If not for the diligence of dedicated hams and watchdog organizations, HF might have yet been another loss for amateur radio.

Post World War II Renaissance

After the World War II shutdown of ham radio was rescinded, a dramatic revival occurred with the airwaves full of old and new hams operating HF. Military radios sold on surplus markets provided opportunities to “get on the air” at a fraction of cost of buying expensive commercial radios. This was also a time when kit companies such as Heathkit found their footing with hams.

In many neighborhoods HF antennas were erected. For the most part, the population accepted a ham’s sometimes unsightly antenna when shown what ham radio provided for the country. This was especially the case when hams using HF phone patch equipment could facilitate connecting family members and loved ones with military service personnel in combat areas and overseas locations. Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA was very active running phone patches during the Vietnam conflict.

HF Communications in the 21st Century

Hams still use HF for local and worldwide communications, but to what extent? A new ham might think the HF bands are very active if listening during nets, contests, special events, QSO parties, when chasing rare DX or “seeing activity” on those ubiquitous digital mode frequencies. However, once any of these activities are finished, or when searching beyond the digital mode frequencies; the HF bands tend to go very quiet.

Exceptions to HF silence are those hams choosing to operate portable rather than maneuvering their personal HOA gauntlet. Sadly more and more hams have signed away their rights to put up antennas as a result of homeowner association HOA rules and strict land use regulations. Some hams have successfully petitioned their HOAs to allow outside antennas, but this can be an arduous process.

I lived in an HOA for almost a decade that did their utmost to restrict my antenna, ham pursuits or otherwise. They threatened to invoke extreme legal measures and severe penalties if I dared put up even a disguised flagpole antenna or run a wire under our home’s second story soffit. It’s no wonder that many active hams went dark and gave up their FCC amateur radio licenses after moving into HOA communities.

Parks on the Air (POTA) to the Rescue

Fortunately, all is not lost. On any given day hams with limited or nonexistent opportunities to operate HF from their homes, condos or apartments can be found communicating with local, regional or distant stations. You will find these hams operating portable, often from parks or other outdoor spaces, using temporary antennas they either bought or built.

Today, many hams choose to operate portable via Parks on the Air (POTA), Islands on the Air (IOTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA).  All three programs provide HF operating opportunities for those unfortunate hams restricted by HOA covenants.

In Conclusion

All is not lost. HF does indeed have a future. There are still plenty of hams to QSO with on the HF bands.  There are also shortwave broadcast stations to listen to. The key is to search for them. Turn the dial and tune the bands. The stations are out there.

Now, get outside. Go to a park or the beach, breath all that fresh air and operate portable HF. Nothing could be finer! What are you waiting for?

73

Note: Additional related material is available on other pages on this website.

  • A recent article by the Antenna Alchemist discusses portable antennas: Click here.
  • The POTA pages discuss several local park activations: Click here.

Also, check out the following links for further information on HF operating and POTA.