Shortwave Shortwave radio operates in the frequency range of 3,000 kHz to 30,000 kHz (3–30 MHz). In radio, short wavelength corresponds to high frequency given the inverse relationship between frequency and wavelength, thus, “shortwave radio” is denominated so, because its wavelengths are shorter than the long wave-lengths used in early radio communications; moreover, HF (high frequency) radio is an alternate name for short wave radio.