[6] How do bands, wavelengths & frequencies, kHz & MHz, differ?

  A band can refer to any choice from a set of tuning ranges on a given
  radio, as well as any sub-range of frequencies 'on the dial'. Some
  antique radios have dials calibrated according to wavelength (as a
  whole number of metres) instead of frequency (kHz or kcps) to convey
  tuning location: e.g. the "16m" position on such dials is within a
  sub-range of frequencies whose wavelengths border on 16 metres.

    * To convert MHz to kHz, multiply the former by 1000 kHz/MHz:
      9.625 MHz x 1000 kHz/MHz = 9625 kHz

    * To convert kHz to MHz, divide the former by 1,000 kHz/MHz:
      21,725 kHz divided by 1,000 kHz/MHz = 21.725 MHz

    * To convert kHz to metres, divide 299,792 km/s by the former:
      299,792 km/s divided by 7,135 kHz = 42.02 m

    * To convert metres to kHz, divide 299,792 km/s by the former:
      299,792 km/s divided by 14 m = 21,414 kHz
      299,792 km/s divided by 15 m = 19,986 kHz
      299,792 km/s divided by 16 m = 18,737 kHz
      299,792 km/s divided by 17 m = 17,635 kHz
      299,792 km/s divided by 19 m = 15,779 kHz
      299,792 km/s divided by 21 m = 14,276 kHz
    ( Note that as frequencies get lower, wavelengths get longer.)

Low Frequencies

  The 30 - 300 kHz range is known as the low frequencies' band, for
  which 'longwave' is a synonym. Reception for this range is best
  between 6 p.m. & midnight (your time).

  Many longwave stations serve as beacons for aircraft and marine
  navigation by continuously transmitting their call letters. Many
  broadcasts use Morse code (CW), but some transmit in binary coded
  decimal (BCD), such as the time station WWVB on 60 kHz.

  On longwave, there is an AM broadcast band from 153 to 279 kHz in
  Europe, N. Africa and N. Asia, but in America the only AM voice
  broadcasts are typically weather reports.

Medium Frequencies

  The medium frequencies' band is between 300 & 3000 kHz. On mediumwave,
  there is an AM broadcast band from 525 to 1600 kHz, extended to 1700
  kHz in Argentina, Australia and the U.S.  A few more stations are
  between 2300 & 2500 kHz, particularly in Australia & Brazil.

  Coastal shipping uses 415 - 535 kHz: three CW calling & distress
  stations monitor 500 kHz in Arctic Canada; internationally, most
  NavTex automated warning stations use 518 kHz. Similarly, other
  coastal stations & boats, especially coast guards and pleasure
  boaters, have use of 2000 - 2300 kHz, with 2182 kHz set aside
  internationally as a voice calling & distress channel.

  Spanning the 160 metre dial position, there is an amateur radio band
  from 1800 to 2000 kHz. Most of the transmissions are in SSB mode.

High Frequencies

  The 3,000 - 30,000 kHz range is known as the high frequencies' band,
  for which 'shortwave' is a synonym. Certain sub-ranges are set aside
  as 'band allocations' for specific purposes, such as for: Aircraft,
  Amateur Radio, Citizens' Band Radio, International Broadcasts, Ships
  & Coastal Stations.


    Aircraft Frequencies

  Aircraft on trans-oceanic routes often use shortwave, mostly in SSB
  although AM mode might still be used, to communicate with air traffic
  controllers. Here are some bands where you might hear them:

     2,850- 3,155 kHz
     3,400- 3,500 kHz
     4,650- 4,750 kHz
     5,450- 5,730 kHz
     6,525- 6,765 kHz
     8,815- 9,040 kHz
    10,005-10,100 kHz
    11,175-11,400 kHz
    13,200-13,360 kHz
    15,010-15,100 kHz
    17,900-18,030 kHz
    21,870-22,000 kHz
    23,200-23,350 kHz


    Amateur Radio ('ham') Frequencies

  Scanning the amateur radio frequencies can be interesting and also
  helpful at times, because amateur radio operators often broadcast
  emergency information when other means of communication break down:
  e.g. the Salvation Army Team's Emergency Radio Net on 14,265 kHz in
  USB mode. One may obtain a basic licence to transmit only above the
  HF band, after passing just a written exam. Those who qualify for the
  more senior amateur licences may also transmit on shortwave, but must
  also pass a proficiency test for sending messages via Morse code in
  CW mode. However, in many countries such tests are no longer required
  (e.g. Australia, Chile, New Zealand & Papua New Guinea), or will be
  phased out. As shown below, voice operators usually transmit in a
  band just above that for code.

    ...wavelength.....code.band.............voice.band.........
    ....(metres)........(kHz)..................(kHz)...........
           80       3,500 -  3,750        3,750  - 4,000
           56                            (5,167.5- 5,403.5)
           42       7,000 -  7,150        7,150  - 7,300
           30      10,100 - 10,150
           21      14,000 - 14,150       14,150 - 14,350
           16      18,068 - 18,110       18,110 - 18,168
           14      21,000 - 21,200       21,200 - 21,450
           12      24,890 - 24,930       24,930 - 24,990
           10      28,000 - 28,300       28,300 - 29,700

  Note: These designations are not observed everywhere (including
        the United States - the first country to open up five USB
        channels bordering on 56 metres to hams).


    American CB Frequencies (applies partly to Oceania: Guam, etc.)

  65 frequencies around 11 metres are allocated as channels 10 kHz wide
  with a separation of 10 kHz from 26,895 to 27,535 kHz. The 40 channels
  designated for voice communications from 26,965 to 27,405 kHz comprise
  the Citizens' Band, and the rest are set aside for other uses such as
  controlling objects. The 11 metre wavelength is within CB Channel 23
  (centred on 27,255 kHz). In North America, Channel 19 (27,185 kHz) is
  often used as a highway information channel; Channel 9 (27,065 kHz) is
  reserved for emergency use. Unlike for ham radio, a licence is not
  required for CB transmissions. Most of these are in AM mode, but a few
  CB radios can use SSB, such as the Realistic TRC-459:
    http://support.radioshack.com/support_electronics/doc46/46897.htm


    International Broadcast Frequencies

  Frequencies in shortwave bands near the following 13 wavelengths are
  allocated as channels 10 kHz wide with a separation of 5 kHz for use
  by foreign and domestic stations. Their broadcasts are mainly AM
  transmissions containing news, commentary, music and special features
  reflecting their own country's cultural canvas. You can often find
  more such stations transmitting just above or below these bands:

                  90 m     *  3,200  to  3,400 kHz
                  75 m    **  3,900  to  4,000 kHz
                  60 m     *  4,750  to  5,060 kHz
                  49 m        5,900  to  6,200 kHz
                  41 m    **  7,300  to  7,550 kHz
                  31 m        9,400  to  9,900 kHz
                  25 m       11,600  to 12,100 kHz
                  22 m       13,570  to 13,870 kHz
                  19 m       15,100  to 15,700 kHz
                  17 m       17,480  to 17,900 kHz
                  15 m       18,900  to 19,020 kHz
                  13 m       21,450  to 21,850 kHz
                  11 m       25,670  to 26,100 kHz

   * These bands are reserved for transmissions with tropical coverage.

  ** Interference can be heavy around 41 & 75 metres, because hams in
     many countries may operate here.


    Ship & Coastal Station Frequencies

  Most HF voice transmissions from ships & coastal stations are in SSB.
  You can hear these transmissions in the following bands:

     4,000- 4,143 kHz
     4,351- 4,435 kHz
     6,200- 6,525 kHz
     8,100- 8,815 kHz
    12,230-12,420 kHz
    13,107-13,200 kHz
    16,360-16,565 kHz
    17,100-17,410 kHz
    18,780-18,900 kHz
    19,680-19,800 kHz
    22,000-22,855 kHz
    25,070-25,210 kHz
    26,100-26,175 kHz

  WWV broadcasts marine weather conditions for the NW Atlantic 8 minutes
  past the hour; WWVH for the Pacific 48 minutes past; and each for the
  NE Pacific 10 & 51 min. past with a status report for GPS satellites
  14 & 52 min. past, respectively, on frequencies as given below.


    Time & Standard Carrier Frequencies

  The following stations broadcast their carriers exactly on-frequency,
  which is useful to also calibrate SSB fine-tuning dials or BFOs (even
  on some digitally-tuned radios). They also signal the exact time of
  day at regular intervals (24 hours a day in standard AM mode except
  where noted) which can be used to calibrate GPS devices. The time is
  stated in terms of UTC. Most international broadcasts are scheduled
  according to UTC, rather than the originating station's time zone.

  CHU at Ottawa, Ontario:
    3,330  &   7,850  &  14,670  kHz
  (all in a fully 'AM-compatible' SSB mode: USB + full carrier)

  LOL at Buenos Aires, Argentina:      11-12h, 14-15h, 17-18h,
    5,000  &  10,000  kHz              20-21h, 23-24h  UTC

  WWVH at Kekaha, Hawaii and (or) WWV at Fort Collins, Colorado:
    5,000  &  10,000  &  15,000 (&  20,000) kHz

  YVTO at Caracas, Venezuela:
    5,000  kHz (USB)
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