18900 - 19020 kHz band

[jordan]

Based on the shortwave broadcast bands here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortwave_radio#Frequency_allocations

The 15m band (18900 - 19020 kHz) is almost unused.  Would that be a good band for pirates to use?  How would the propagation compare with the usual 6900 kHz band that they use?

[ChrisSmolinski]

It could work well for fairly long distance reception, say to Europe, at certain times of the day. It would, in general, be terrible for reception within a few hundred miles, ie: where most of your listeners are. And, unless you announced transmissions in advance (or at least when you signed on) you probably would get zero listeners because no one would be tuned in.
 
There's a reason most pirates use the 43 meter band here in the US.

[BDM]

Several pirates will hover just above or below the 20m band also. Especially in the summer time. Good propagation at most times of the day and can occur fairly close in as well as farther out. Depends.

[ka1iic]

how about 12000khz ?  I know there are several sw stations list to that one but I have yet to hear one...


just a comment

73
vince

[ff]

unless you announced transmissions in advance (or at least when you signed on) you probably would get zero listeners because no one would be tuned in.  There's a reason most pirates use the 43 meter band here in the US.

I gotta echo what Chris says jordan.  Most pirates crave listeners and 43M / 48M is pretty much their only choice depending on the region of the world they are in.  A few of us who aren't in this for an ego stroke like to sail the backwaters.  As BDM said, keeping an eye on both sides of 20M should net you an occasional pirate if you are patient and persistent.  41M (7400-7600) will occasionally have some activity also.  Wintertime will often find activity at the top end of the AM BCB.  Pirates can operate anywhere but to effectively monitor, you've got to limit your scanning ranges.  If not, you'll go nuts...