The Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) is a system of ALE base stations with internet connectivity. Each HFN Pilot Station is rapidly scanning the ALE Primary DATA Channels of the ham bands 3.5 to 28MHz every 10 seconds, and sounding once every hour.

Ham radio ALE operators anywhere within the coverage area, may link with an HFN Pilot Station on HF, and send or receive short text messages via internet by email or phone texting SMS.

Access to HFN Pilot Stations for internet services is limited to ham radio operators, holding a valid license of any country for HF operation. To use HFN services, first join HFLINK, get your station set up with the latest ALE software and hardware, and then start  scanning and sounding on the air.

ALE soundings and HF activity are automatically reported in real time by HFN stations on the ALE CHANNEL ZERO web portal.

About HFN. 26 June 2007 - A team of radio operators successfully deployed the first 6 base stations on the air, as Phase 1 of the global constellation of Pilot Stations, in the new ham radio ALE HF Network. The HFN Pilot Stations are equipped with scanning ALE transceivers, multiband antenna systems, and special software control systems for internet connectivity. Ham radio ALE users in the field on HF connect with the HFN Pilot Stations to exchange digital ALE-SMS text messaging to and from internet devices such as cell mobile phones, black berry type devices, PDAs, PCs and laptops. ALE users also relay ALE messages to other ALE HF users via the same system. ALE via HFN network is also interoperative with the international ham standard internet system, the Winlink network.