How to listen to utility signals on shortwave radio, so much more to DX!
Utility radio signals were somewhat of a mystery to me when I restarted my DXing hobby about two years ago. Recently one of my viewers also asked me about these signals, so this video is a brief introduction for beginners, and some practical steps to show you how to listen to these signals. They are not regular broadcast signals (like VOA, CRI, BBC). These utility signals are aimed at specific recipients, like pilots, seafarers and even spies. A very interesting part of the DXing hobby, you can catch some really interesting stuff from unusual places.
Uitlity stations include maritime weather reports, coast guard stations, standard time and frequency stations like WWV in the USA, Volmet (flight weather) stations, beacons and many others. In this video I focus on the ones that are, to me, most interesting and easier to catch, namely maritime weather, Volmet and some military stations. The transmitters are relatively low power, so these utility signals are, sometimes, challenging to catch. But when you do catch them, it is very satisfying.
00:00 What are utility stations?
01:26 Which radio to use?
02:15 Antenna
02:33 About the modes and signal types
03:17 Using shortwavedb.org to find utilities
04:37 My favourite utility site: DX Info Centre
05:00 Finding maritime signals
05:52 Finding Volmet signals
06:28 Some final tips and demonstration
07:08 US Navy from Andrews Airforce Base, Maryland 9830 kHz USB
07:37 Israeli Navy from Haifa 7416 kHz LSB
07:54 WMV Wiluna 8113 kHz USB
08:31 WMV Wiluna 6230 kHz USB