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I know there are quite alot of different data/radar type noises that can be heard on shortwave but i did some searching around and havent heard anything exactly like this

The frequency i heard it on this particular time was 7.04mhz but i have heard similar noises around this frequency range about 7.01/702

This went on for at least a half hour
At certain times it sounded more like morse code - other times it would sound similar to a dial up modem
Apologies if the audio is not the best

Amateur digital...

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulato ... 0Color.pdf

Interesting - thanks for that

Not really heard on the recording but at times it also sounded like something called "AUTOSPEC" which according to the Sigidwiki is somewhat obsolete...

Try a HF SDR -- you'll find [HF] that much more interesting. You can 'see' the signals.

Here's an interesting video to watch. It's comparing two different SDRs. Unfortunately, the user doesn't have the RSPdx waterfall configured well but on the Airspy you can clearly see the data signals at 7074 khz -- on the far left size of the waterfall window. You can clearly see the CW signals from 7000-7040 khz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5qyv9Uex-o

Here's 160m amateur band during a CW contest over in the UK -- which is ideal place to receive (in terms of users.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th4QK7DdKRo

Here's another on 20m -- you can see also at 14074 there's a lot of data:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuJhBHzKz18

Interesting stuff

Yes i am fairly "new" to HF and at the moment i am just using a small portable AM/FM/SW alarm clock radio but it receives quite well(picked up several distant stations with just the whip antenna) Not even sure if its SSB capable I will try to get a decent Grundig or something at some point
I also have tried a HF plugin for SDRSharp but i havent really figured it out yet

So if i am hearing a lot of morse code its most likely just hams sending messages? I know ships would use code quite a bit in the past not sure if they do much anymore

Well if it *has* to be a portable then get this: https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-PL880-Con ... 00GJ51NVA/

(For a portable it is almost good enough to be a desktop replacement. Yes, it's really that good.)

You definitely will need SSB for anything useful these days except broadcast. Don't get any portable with a "BFO" -- make sure it has dedicated USB/LSB modes.

No, ships don't use CW any more -- it's almost all satellite-based. Technically they have that capability but as emergency backup only.

HAMs send 'messages' in voice (SSB), CW (morse code) and DATA. Data refers to many, many different modes. I won't bore you with the details. If you're curious then you should pick up the ARRL handbook: https://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Handbook-Ra ... 1625951078

(You should be able to find the above handbook in a local library. It may not be the 2020 version but it's worth checking out.)

HF-SWL can be fun but it takes a lot of patience and persistence to catch the 'interesting' stuff. And with all of our electronic toys these days, there's a lot of interference around neighborhoods to choke a chicken. (And it ruins the fun of HF to say the least.) Also a lot of users have cut back using HF radio for satellite -- such as USCG. US Military still has limited HF use and part of the fun is just trying to hunt them down.

FWIW, don't bother with HF using a cheap USB dongle. You'll be very disappointed. A SDR made for HF frequencies is a must. Check out the RSPdx or Airspy HF+ (which uses SDR#)

Of course, a decent antenna is a must. You can make a simple wire antenna for a few $$ or invest in a magnetic loop antenna -- which is to say it's amplified. They are really good for HF. If you have a lot of RFI (interference) then no antenna will help.

Good luck.

+1 on the PL-880. I have a collection of portable HF radios and it is among the best. If you want something pocketable look at the CC Skywave SSB or the CountyComm GP-5 SSB (the CC is the easier to use of the two). Performance is a little less than the PL-880 but both provide sufficient fun with a longwire antenna. radiojayallen.com and swling.com are a must-read to do your homework on these kind of radios.