Shortwave Radio
Shortwave radio operates between the frequencies of 3,000 kHz (3.000 MHz) and 30,000 kHz (30.000 MHz) and came to be referred to as such in the early days of radio because the wavelengths associated with this frequency range were shorter than the long wave lengths widely in use at that time. An alternate name is HF or high frequency radio. Short wavelengths are associated with high frequencies because there is an inverse relationship between frequency and wavelength. (From the Wikipedia).
Shortwave radio can be heard for many miles away from the broadcasting station. It’s possible to hear shortwave broadcasts in the United States from Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Africa.
There are several different bands of shortwave radio just as there is an AM and FM band of radio in the United States. Some of these bands transmit for further distances at different times of day. Unlike domestic AM or FM radio stations, shortwave broadcasters do not stay on the same frequency all day. Due to the conditions that allow their signals to travel great distances, they will change to different frequencies throughout the day as conditions change. Many broadcasters will publish guides on their website telling the frequency and times of their broadcasts.
One reason that I highly recommend a digital tuning shortwave radio is so that it will be easy to know and find something that you hear again. With an old analog display of frequency it can be a bit more frustrating and difficult to make sure you get back to the same frequency.
Another note about shortwave radio is that the antennas required for good reception need to be fairly long. Most shortwave receivers come with a built in whip which is typically not enough to get much. To really hear a lot you may wish to take whats called a random length wire somewhere between 10-15 feet and even as long as 30-50 feet and clip it to the end of your antenna whip for better reception. It’s usually better if the wire is strung up in the air, but that’s not necessary. I’ve even used speaker cable with an alligator clip to improve reception and you will be amazed how much stronger the signals you hear can be.
If you are interested in listening in to more than just the broadcasters in shortwave you may wish to make sure you find a shortwave receiver that can receive single side band transmissions. These broadcasts are typically radio amateurs (or even military and other organizations). Single sideband is a more efficient way of getting a long range signal. It typically takes less power to push out a SSB signal and it takes up less space in the radio spectrum. Having the ability to tune SSB transmissions can open up a whole world of interesting shortwave listening that you otherwise would miss out on, or simply not be able to interpret.
The following subpages will be about the various Short Wave Broadcasters as well as other topics related to shortwave radio listening:
- Buying Shortwave Radio Airtime
- Shortwave Broadcasters Based in the United States
- Shortwave Emergency Frequencies for Monitoring
- What is On Shortwave Radio Right Now?
shortwave radio – Google News
$553.25 donated in past month – Bay Area Indymedia
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$553.25 donated in past month
Bay Area Indymedia A weekly 30 minute review of news and opinion, recorded from a shortwave radio. … |
SW Radio Africa broadcasts jammed despite unity government – This is Zimbabwe (blog)
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SW Radio Africa broadcasts jammed despite unity government
This is Zimbabwe (blog) SWRA, broadcasting from outside Zimbabwe on short wave, have managed to provide independent news to parts of the country that email and online news sources … |
BBC Burmese marks 70 years on air – Mizzima News
 Mizzima News |
BBC Burmese marks 70 years on air
Mizzima News The BBC World Service provides content on radio, television, online and mobile phones in 32 languages including English. It began as a shortwave service … |
LIPIEN: Remembering a Polish-American patriot – Washington Times
 Washington Times |
LIPIEN: Remembering a Polish-American patriot
Washington Times … Korbonska daily risked her life writing and coding secret shortwave radio transmissions sent from Poland to the Polish government in exile in London. … |
The Grog Days of Summer (PHOTOS) – Huffington Post (blog)
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The Grog Days of Summer (PHOTOS)
Huffington Post (blog) An antique shortwave radio serves as bar, where the visitor finds, among much else, an assortment of fancy-schmancy rums. Here and there one glimpses Mike's … |
So called ‘implementation matrix’ exposes farce of coalition – The Zimbabwean
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So called 'implementation matrix' exposes farce of coalition
The Zimbabwean … that broadcasts on shortwave and via the internet are completely legal neither of the MDC parties own or operate any of the independent radio stations. … |
New radio lab helps students broadcast to the world and space – Picket
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New radio lab helps students broadcast to the world and space
Picket The radio club will make use of the new applied mathematics and engineering lab in Stutzman-Slonaker, room 303. The radio club uses shortwave … |
Radio/TV Martà boss resigns – MiamiHerald.com
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Radio/TV Martà boss resigns
MiamiHerald.com Cuba effectively jams TV Martà over-the-air broadcasts, but the station also broadcasts by satellite, and the radio transmits on AM as well as shortwave … |
Competing in marketplace of ideas – Korea Times
 Korea Times |
Competing in marketplace of ideas
Korea Times today there's the Internet, 24/7 cable stations, and a plethora of media beyond the traditional shortwave radio signals from the BBC, Voice of America, … |
Expanding on the NAB’s Mobile FM Proposal – Zatz Not Funny (blog)
 Zatz Not Funny (blog) |
Expanding on the NAB's Mobile FM Proposal
Zatz Not Funny (blog) Tune into NOAA weather alerts with the iPhone 6 Shortwave. Playback low fidelity ransom messages on the Retrograde Galaxy S. |
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