Broadcasters still transmit signals on shortwave radio although they prefer to use the MW and VHF bands. VHF transmissions are largely immune to ionospheric interference and MW signals propagate locally by diffraction over the ground. During the day, MW signals are too heavily absorbed by the D Region to be heard over long distances;during the night,however, when the D Region rapidly subsides, listeners must battle with foreign radio transmissions, which are reaching and rebounding from the F Region, as they try to tune into their favourite local station in the MW band.
Current research in the field of HF communications is concerned with improving forecasts of state of the ionosphere, especially in high latitudes where the composition of the ionosphere varies considerably. Equipment manufacturers are also developing radios that automatically compensate for changes in the ionosphere and for interference from other users.