A communications receiver is a type of radio receiver used as a component of a radio communication link. This is in contrast to a broadcast receiver which is used to receive radio broadcasts. The difference between the two is that broadcast receivers only receive broadcast bands, such as the medium wave and/or longwave AM broadcast bands and the VHF FM broadcast band, while a communication receiver receives a wider part of the radio spectrum not used for broadcasting, that includes the shortwave bands. They are often used with a radio transmitter as part of a two way radio link for shortwave radio or amateur radio communication, although they are also used for shortwave listening.