Being a member of the IEEE, I get a number of different emails from them. A week ago, I got an email from the IEEE Communications Society advertising a new white paper from Rohde&Schwartz titled, The Rebirth of HF. The blurb reads:
High frequency (HF) communications were once the primary means of global connectivity until terrestrial Internet and satellites. Recent technological advancements have led to a “rebirth” of HF as a viable alternative for mission-critical connectivity. Learn the fundamentals behind HF propagation, plus new developments that make HF a practical means of modern, global communications.
The white paper does a pretty good job of describing the fundamentals of HF. I think that I’ll be recommending it as a primer to hams that take my classes.
It goes on, though, to describe how some companies are now using HF frequencies in sophisticated ways to enhance digital communications. In particular, it describes how some systems are now using 48 kHz wide channels to achieve data rates up to 240 kilobits per second.
One thing that this white paper makes clear is that commercial and military interests have not given up on HF. We need to stay vigilant about that.
To download the paper for yourself, click here. You’ll be asked for some information, but you’ll be quickly sent the download link, and if you note that you’re a ham radio operator, it’s doubtful that the company will try to contact you. I’ve downloaded a bunch of R&S white papers, and they’ve never tried to sell me anything.
D Jeffrey Blumenthal says
For a good free set of lessons about HF propagation try http://meted.ucar.edu.
Goody K3NG says
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that all wireless bands and wireless in general goes through a continual never-ending cycle of being sexy and then not being sexy. HF sexiness has been on a steep decline with SW broadcasters going dark and satellite becoming cheaper and more viable for global communications. High frequency stock traders (high frequency meaning lightning-fast transactions, not HF radio) just discovered HF can be used for low-latency long distance data links. They’ve been doing this already with point-to-point licensed microwave bands. HF is sexy once again.
Paul Denisowksi, KO4LZ says
Hi Dan – Thanks for the nice review! The whitepaper is also available as a free on-demand webinar hosted by Microwave Journal magazine:
https://www.microwavejournal.com/Webinar_RS13may20
73, Paul, KO4LZ