Fixed Service radio frequencies

[jordan]

According to this frequency allocation plan:  http://www.w2aee.columbia.edu/fcc-bandplan.html

The frequencies most commonly used by pirate shortwave stations are in the Fixed Service.  What exactly does that mean, and what kinds of communications are supposed to be there?  Is it actually used anymore for such?

[glimmer twin]

Fixed as opposed to mobile. There are users on the "pirate band" mostly government/military. I hear link11 around 6970 & the TSA/MARS PACTOR mode on 6996. Elsewhere in the world there's more 6900 - 7000 khz users. Look on the U Twente sdr & you will see many of them.

[Chanter]

You also get Canadian military on 6977kHz or thereabouts.  I've heard a CFARS net there several times. 

[glimmer twin]

your question implies that the sw bands aren't "used any more". The opposite is true. HF radio is used more & more by military/gov't & other users these days. The cost of satellite time is rising & that isn't  an issue with HF. They use HF radio for a lot of cool stuff these days like E-mail , sending video & pics, internet connections....While many broadcast stations are shutting down ,more utility stations are popping up all the time.