The Listener
An interactive guide to the radio spectrum. Drag the tuner to explore the invisible airwaves that surround you right now.
AM Broadcast Band
What is this?
This is the AM radio you know from car stereos. These frequencies have been used for public broadcasting since the 1920s. AM signals travel farther at night because the upper atmosphere reflects them back down -- so a station in Chicago might reach Florida after sunset.
What would you hear?
Talk radio, news, sports broadcasts, religious programming, and local community stations. At night, distant stations fade in and out like ghosts -- you might suddenly hear a station from 1,000 miles away.
How ham operators use it
The 160-meter ham band (1.8-2.0 MHz) sits just above AM broadcast. Hams call it 'Top Band' and use it for long-distance contacts, especially at night. It requires big antennas and patience.
Did you know?
During clear winter nights, AM radio signals can bounce between the ground and the ionosphere multiple times, traveling thousands of miles. This is called 'skip' and it's why you can pick up distant stations late at night.