20 metres

Equipment
Related wiki pages: Transceivers, Receivers, Radio/PC Interfaces

Most HF amateur transceivers support this and other commonly-used bands in the 160m - 10m range. Radios intended for SWL reception are typically able to tune these frequencies, although some will be unable to demodulate CW and SSB signals on the band due to lack of usable beat-frequency oscillators on low-end broadcast receivers.

Modulation
Related wiki pages: Modes

As with other HF bands, the lower portion of the band is CW and the remainder is primarily SSB, with some limited use of digital modes.

Propagation
Related wiki pages: Propagation

Signals on this band are often heard over great distances during daytime, when lower-frequency bands are silenced by severe D-layer absorption. Stations therefore may choose to operate on this band before sunset, then move to lower frequencies after nightfall as the lower bands are less suited to DX in daytime use.

Australian bandplan
Access: Advanced and Standard licensees only