HF Bands Continue to Suffer QRM from Over-the-Horizon Radar

Wideband Chinese over-the-horizon radar signal monitored on 15 meters
by the International Amateur Radio Union's Region 1 Monitoring System.
(Image from the IARUMS website)

Old-time hams will likely remember the "Russian woodpecker," an over-the-horizon (OTH) radar system that wreaked havoc on the HF amateur bands in the 1970s and 80s. Now, a new type of OTH radar is doing it again.

The ARRL Letter reports that signals believed to emanate from China are being heard on the 20, 15 and 10-meter bands.

In addition, the International Amateur Radio Union's Region 1 Monitoring System is reporting Russian taxi drivers and fishing buoys using 10 meters, and pirates in the Far East at the bottom of the 20-meter band.