Short Waves

Short waves are radio waves that have wavelengths shorter than those of waves used in amplitude modulation (AM) broadcast transmissions. The wavelength of a wave is the distance between successive repeated patterns of the wave. Wavelength is related to frequency. As frequency increases, wavelength decreases. Short waves have frequencies higher than 1.7 megahertz--the upper limit of the AM broadcast band. One megahertz (MHz) equals 1 million hertz (cycles per second).

Short waves carry frequency modulation (FM) radio broadcasts, television signals, and transoceanic telephone conversations. Short-wave radios are used by airplane pilots, amateur radio operators, police officers, taxi drivers, and others to send and receive messages.

Short-wave frequencies are divided into several bands. The medium frequency band includes short waves with frequencies up to 3 MHz. The high frequency band ranges from 3 to 30 MHz; the very high frequency band, from 30 to 300 MHz; and the ultrahigh frequency band, from 300 to 3,000 MHz (see Very high frequency waves).

Contributor: Hugh D. Young, Ph.D., Prof. of Physics, Carnegie-Mellon Univ.

Short Waves

Master Index