Is Ham radio synonomous with shortwave radio? Is it a subset of the shortwave section of the RF spectrum? Or, is it totally different? - Jinx
Shortwave is a frequency range; it typically refers to the 3000 kHz to 30 MHz range. The unique property of this frequency range is that it can propagate long distances, much longer than line-of-sight, by reflecting off the earth’s ionosphere. It’s used for global broadcasts and communications.
“Ham radio” is another term for amateur radio. It’s a system that allows licensed amateurs to experiment with high-power radio equipment. A number of frequency bands are allocated for ham radio. Many of these bands are in the shortwave range, but not all.
To elaborate a little more on shortwave radio, many government news agencies (including the United States) use shortwave to air their broadcasts because they can broadcast to entire countries at once. There are also private shortwave broadcasters who use shortwave; many of these are religious organizations who use shortwave to spread their message. Shortwave broadcasts are not regulated by the FCC, but the International Telecommunications Union oversees things like frequency allocation. These broadcasts also tend to be one way, just as most radio broadcasts are.
Ham radio, OTOH, is usually two-way communication using specific subsets of the shortwave band (as scr4 noted) and parts of others, but the distinction is a) hams are required to have a license issued by the FCC, and b) ham communications are generally two-way.
Robin
Interestingly, IIRC (I’ve lost the cite) if ham radio RF and cell phone or wireless network RF come into conflict the ham has the legal upper hand, and neither the cell or wireless network user or vendor can force him to change his practices so long as he meets FCC guidelines.
THe FCC authority in these matters pre-empts local controls & ordinances