HF

Communications Systems Glossary

Communications Systems — Radio frequency — HF

Information on HF

The high-frequency band is the radio-frequency (RF) band the range 3-30 MHz. The HF band provides relatively reliable propagation over long distances. Reasonable efficient antennas can be built requiring low radiated power. Propagation is principally by sky wave and therefore depends on the vagaries of the ionosphere with fading and multi-path effects often limiting the speed of communication. Surface wave communications over short distances (~50 km) are also possible. The band is used for fixed services, mobile services, amateur transmissions, broadcasting, and maritime mobile service. Until the advent of satellite communications, the HF band provided the only means of long-distance communication.

Other topics in our resources on Communications Systems related to HF include: 

Radio frequency (RF) extremely low frequency (ELF) very low frequency (VLF)

low frequency (LF) medium frequency (MF) very HF (VHF)

ultra HF (UHF) super HF (SHF) extremely HF (EHF)

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