Medium wave radio waves propagate in a manner that is different from VHF and UHF radio waves. Medium wave signals can travel much further than VHF and UHF signals, but are generally limited to local and regional coverage. Medium wave radio waves propagate through a combination of ground wave and sky wave propagation. Ground wave propagation occurs when the radio waves are absorbed by the Earth’s surface and follow its curvature, allowing them to travel over relatively short distances (up to a few hundred kilometers). This mode of propagation is most effective at night, when the Earth’s surface cools and the ionosphere becomes more reflective.
Sky wave propagation occurs when medium wave radio waves are refracted back to the Earth’s surface by the ionosphere, a layer of the upper atmosphere that can reflect radio waves. This mode of propagation allows medium wave signals to travel much further than ground wave propagation alone, typically up to a few thousand miles. However, sky wave propagation is highly dependent on the conditions of the ionosphere, which can vary greatly depending on factors such as time of day, season, and solar activity. The hours of darkness is the best time for medium wave DX.
Medium wave DXing used to be a hobby in its own right. I’d spend hours tuning up and down the band, listening to stations from around the world…. But noise began to creep in and finally destroyed the band. However, something happened to bring medium wave back to life – the Mini-Whip Active Antenna arrived. The results are unbelievable! With little or no noise wiping out the band, medium wave is packed with stations!
Update. 12/11/25:
I’m now using a dedicated receiver for short medium and long wave DXing. Here is my Racal RA-1772. Brilliant for medium wave, long wave, VLF and HF DXing.
Listed below are a few medium wave stations I’ve heard using the Mini-Whip Active Antenna. I’ll be adding more stations as and when I hear them.
I must update the list!
Station |
Location |
Frequency kHz |
Notes |
| BBC Radio Ulster | Ireland | 1342 | S9 |
| BBC Radio Wales | Scotland | 887 | |
| Manx Radio | Isle of Man | 1368 | S7 at 20-18 BST |
| Radio Guernsey | Guernsey | 1116 | |
| Radio Jersey | Jersey | 1026 | |
| Love Sport | London | 558 | S9 |
| BBC Wales | Wales | 882 | S5 |
| Chichester Hospital Radio | Chichester | 1431 | Very weak. The station runs 1 Watt. |
| Princess Royal Hospital Radio | Haywards Heath | 1350 | Very weak. The station runs 1 Watt. |
| Radio Caroline | Orford Ness, Suffold Coast. | 648 | Good signal |
| Sunrise Radio | Glade Lane | 972 | Weak |
| Lycra Radio | Crystal Palace | 1035 | Good |
| Premier Radio | Ardsley | 1305 | Good |
MR4 Nemzetisegi Adasok 1188kHz:
MR4 transmits on 1188kHz at a power of 300 KW from 0330 to 2000 GMT. It is the last valve-amplified transmitter in Hungary and the 11th most powerful. It was commissioned in 1986. The signal on the south coast of the UK is massive!
Here is a List of European medium wave transmitters.
Medium Wave loop aerials.
This is one of my home-brew medium wave loop antennas. It works well and nulls out unwanted stations and noise perfectly. I’ve made another one, about four feet square, which works extremely well. The trouble is… it’s huge! There’s more info on this aerial here.
