OnAirDecode AM broadcast with an SDR
AM broadcast: medium wave 531 - 1602 kHz and the shortwave broadcast bands, in the general receiver (AM mode).
- Group
- Broadcast radio
- Start frequency
- 0.999 MHz
- In the mode list
- MW, SW
What AM broadcast is
AM broadcast on medium wave and shortwave (the general receiver in AM, with MW and SW presets).
Frequencies and settings
| Start frequency | 0.999 MHz |
|---|
OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is MW, SW.
What OnAir shows
AM broadcast on medium wave and shortwave (the general receiver in AM, with MW and SW presets).
Limits and what it was checked with
Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
Which radio you need
This mode is on low frequencies (below 1 MHz), which many radios do not reach. An SDRplay, an Airspy HF+ or an RTL-SDR in direct-sampling mode can; a long wire or a loop antenna matters more than the radio.
Receiving and the law
Questions about AM broadcast
Can I decode AM broadcast with an RTL-SDR?
Only in direct-sampling mode, which OnAir offers in the radio settings, and the signal may be weak or absent. SDRplay and Airspy HF+ radios reach low frequencies directly.
Is it legal to receive AM broadcast?
Receiving broadcast radio is legal in most countries. OnAir cannot decode encrypted services.
Can I try AM broadcast in OnAir without a radio?
Yes. Most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls before you own a radio.