hosszúhullámú

Hosszúhullámú is a Hungarian term that translates to "long wave" in English. It refers to electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 meters, which correspond to frequencies between 30 and 300 kilohertz (kHz). This part of the radio spectrum is designated as the longwave band.

Longwave radio signals are known for their ability to travel very long distances, especially at night, due to a phenomenon called skywave propagation. The waves can be reflected by the ionosphere, allowing them to bounce between the ionosphere and the Earth's surface and reach areas far beyond the horizon. This characteristic makes longwave broadcasting suitable for covering large geographical areas with a single transmitter, which was historically important for national broadcasting services.

In modern times, the use of the longwave band has diminished in many parts of the world for regular broadcasting due to the development of other technologies and the limited bandwidth available. However, it still finds applications in specialized areas. These include navigation systems, such as the LORAN (LOng RAnge Navigation) system, and time signal broadcasting, where highly accurate time information is transmitted. Some countries still maintain longwave radio stations for national broadcasting or specific purposes. The characteristics of longwave propagation, such as its susceptibility to atmospheric noise and interference, are important considerations when utilizing this frequency range.