About the
9 Tuning Bands
of your 1253 Receiver . . .
The following tuning ranges are typical but can vary +5% due to
manufacturing tolerances of the inductors and capacitors in the
bandswitching circuits. Notice that the bands begin to overlap
each other above 8 MHz. Rather than trying for continuous
tuning with no "gaps," our main goal was to make sure that the
most popular bands are covered easily.
Band 1: 1.760 to 1.990 MHz.
This tuning range includes the most active segment of the 160
meter amateur band, 1.8 to 1.9 MHz. This band is very active at
night during the winter, with year-round SSB regulars chatting
with their local or regional friends just before dawn. If you live
near a coast or other busy waterway, You also may hear beacon
signals for navigation.
Band 2: 3.3 to 4.150 MHz.
This range provides full coverage of the always-popular 80 and
75 meter amateur radio bands, 3.5 to 4.0 MHz. Traditionally,
the 3.5 to 3.75 MHz half (CW, RTTY, packet, etc.) is called 80
meters, while the 3.75 to 4.0 MHz SSB voice section is called 75
meters. Like 160 meters, this band is most active between
sundown and dawn, but it is busy year-round.
Band 3: 5.5 to 6.9 MHz.
The main purpose of this tuning range is to give you lots of
strong shortwave broadcasts in late afternoon through early
morning on the 49 meter band, 5.95 to 6.2 MHz. Many other
transmissions also can be heard in this tuning range.
Band 4: 6.8 to 8.5 MHz.
The popular 40 meter amateur band is 7.0 to 7.3 MHz, with
many evening AM broadcasts among the ham CW and SSB
signals. Look for station CHU, the Canadian national time signal
at 7.335 MHz. Unlicensed “pirate” broadcasters can sometimes
be spotted around 7.4 MHz.
Band 5: 8.5 to 11 MHz.
This band lets you tune all of the popular 31 meter broadcast
band, 9.5 to 9.9 MHz. You can also find the WWV time signal
at 10.0 MHz (or on Bands 7 and 8 at 15.0 MHz.) The 30 meter
ham band (CW and RTTY only in the USA) is at 10.1 to 10.15
MHz. This tuning range is generally busy 24 hours a day.
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Band 6: 10.1 to 13.2 MHz.
Among the numerous transmissions in the 3 MHz range are
strong daytime worldwide broadcasts of the 25 meter band,
11.65 to 12.05 MHz.
Band 7: 12.5 to 16 MHz.
On the 20 meter amateur band (14.0 to 14.35 MHz), you can
hear strong CW and SSB voice signals from around the world
throughout the day and well into the evening. Usually, this is the
most active and crowded of the international ham radio bands.
You also are able to tune the 21 meter shortwave broadcast
band (13.6 to 13.8 MHz), and all of the 19 meter band (15.1 to
15.6 MHz). Station WWV at 15.0 MHz provides precision time
and frequency information.
Band 8: 14.7 to 18.5 MHz.
Especially during daylight hours, look for worldwide 16 meter
broadcasts on 17.55 to 17.9 MHz and the 17 meter amateur
band, 18.068 to 18.168 MHz Numerous other commercial and
government signals can also be heard.
Band 9: 18.5 to 21.5 MHz.
Also a “daytime” tuning range, this highest band is provided to
permit tuning of the 15 meter amateur band, 21 to 21.45 MHz.
Depending on component tolerances, the receiver may tune
some or all of the 13 meter broadcast band, 21.45 to 21.85
MHz. This tuning range is near the outer limits of useful
frequency coverage by this type of receiver circuit.
Shortwave Listening in General
In addition to the specific “bands” highlighted above, you'll hear
thousands of OTHER shortwave signals. Many will be military or
government morse code transmissions, plus very “odd” noises
of weather FAX, wire service and other data transmissions. You
can also hear government or military SSB voice transmissions
and even an occasional unlicensed “pirate” station. A rule of
thumb is that the lower frequency ranges (1 to 5) are most
active during the late afternoon, evening and through the night.
The higher frequencies (6 to 9) generally are most active during
daylight hours. Make your own copies of the sample Shortwave
Listening Log to keep track of your radio listening experiences.
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