# Medium-Wave Listening

Part of the Radio Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/radio/guide/index.md)

*8. Option C: Shortwave Listening*

> **8c2.** Listen to several medium-wave stations for two one-hour periods, one period during daylight hours and one period at night. Log the stations properly and locate them on a map, globe, or web-based mapping service.

## Medium-Wave (AM Broadcast Band)

Medium-wave refers to the AM broadcast band: **535 kHz – 1,705 kHz**. Any AM radio — including a car radio, a portable receiver, or even some smartphone apps connected to an SDR — will work.

## What to Expect

### Daytime Session

During the day, you'll primarily hear **local and regional stations** within a few hundred miles. AM signals travel by ground wave during daylight, which limits range. You might hear 5–15 stations depending on your location.

### Nighttime Session

At night, the ionosphere changes dramatically. The D layer (which absorbs MF signals during the day) disappears after sunset, allowing medium-wave signals to reach the E and F layers and bounce back over hundreds or thousands of miles. You may hear stations from across the continent — a station from 1,000+ miles away can come in clearly.

**This dramatic difference between day and night is the entire point of this exercise.** Your logs should show it clearly.

## Logging Format

Use the same format as your shortwave logs:

| Field | Example |
|-------|---------|
| **Date** | 2026-04-06 |
| **Time (local and UTC)** | 11:30 PM CDT / 0430 UTC |
| **Frequency** | 1,120 kHz |
| **Station** | KMOX, St. Louis, MO |
| **Signal** | Strong |
| **Notes** | Sports talk, clear signal |

Map each station's transmitter location after each session.

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- Previous: [Shortwave Listening Sessions](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/radio/guide/req8c1/index.md)
- Next: [Compare Day & Night Logs](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/radio/guide/req8c3/index.md)