What is Shortwave Radio?
We've all heard AM and FM radio stations on our car radio? A shortwave radio gets stations from places far away from where you live and are "hidden" in between the standard AM and FM band on frequencies from about 3 MHz to 30 MHz.
If you live in the U.S., you can easily listen to stations broadcasting from foreign countries like the BBC from London, Radio Australia, Radio Cuba, Swiss Radio International, Deutsche Welle (Germany), Radio Netherlands, Voice of Free China, Radio China International and Radio Japan. These stations and many others broadcast in English at certain times, usually in the evenings. These stations broadcast to foreign countries, in the language of the people in the foreign countries. Yes, that's right, you don't need to know Japanese to listen to Radio Japan. Most people who have not actually listened to shortwave signals don't know this.
Shortwave broadcasts are in REAL TIME! YOU HEAR THEM INSTANTLY!
These international stations transmit on bands called World Band Radio. Shortwave radios can pick up other signals that are not considered World Band Radio, like amateur Ham radio operators, maritime signals from ships, aircraft, coastal weather stations, news broadcasts and much, much more. There are different radio frequency ranges reserved for each type of use.
Shortwave radio signals are capable of traveling long distances, unlike AM and FM stations which usually can only be heard for about 50 - 75 miles from the broadcasting station, depending on your antenna. Shortwave radio signals are designed to skip around the world and bounce in the atmosphere, meaning they can be heard far away. However, this has always meant that the quality of signals reaching the listener has always been variable, depending how strong the signal is at your location. The sound might also be as good as an FM radio for a while and then be barely heard moments later caused by fading. International broadcast stations usually direct or "beam" their signals to the designated listening areas during the evening hours. So, if you live in New York for example, your best shortwave listening times are usually between 8:00 p.m. and midnight. The broadcast is designed to be best heard at the designated audience location. For example, a broadcast clearly heard in New York State probably cannot be heard in Seattle.
Major shortwave broadcasters, like the BBC and the Voice of America, broadcast on many different frequencies every day to just about everywhere, in many of languages. The BBC is listened to by millions of people every day. These major stations also have relay stations all over the world, helping to provide a strong signal. The BBC broadcast from London you are listening to may actually be re-transmitted from Canada, which pickup the broadcast from a satellite. As a result, the big stations are very easy to hear. The BBC has even arranged for its shortwave radio broadcasts to be re-transmitted by National Public Radio stations in the U.S. These stations are usually on the low end of the standard FM broadcast band.
Many large stations use extreme high power for signal broadcasting. Your local AM station usually uses up to 50,000 watts of broadcasting power. A shortwave broadcasting station may use 1,000,000 watts for each of their stations! You hear it all in real time!
What can you hear? You can listen to news from around the world, propaganda, music, religious broadcasts, sporting events, etc. In short just about anything. Radio Cuba, for example, has probably the best jazz program on anywhere, on any type of broadcast medium, including television. Shortwave radio broadcasts have always been a big part in bringing the truth to oppressed people everywhere...and the not so truthful.... propaganda.
There's so much more on shortwave, including transatlantic commercial and military aircraft, ships at sea, wire services, weather broadcasts, research vessels and "pirate stations" and Amateur Radio stations from around the world plus lots more! All in real time as it happens!
(
Sample Ham Radio here!) These hams were giving signal reports to another ham.
Sample....Radio Netherlands from 9845khz
To be able to hear all of this as it happens LIVE,
a shortwave radio has to tune these frequencies and bands.
Your standard AM/FM radio or scanner will not receive these bands!
Two brands consistently come out on top in portables...they are
Sangean and Sony!
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SANGEAN
THIS FROM SANGEAN'S WEB SITE
"Sangean Electronics is one of the world's oldest and largest manufacturers of multi-band,
portable and pocket sized entertainment centers.
Established in 1974, the name Sangean is recognized throughout the world for its innovative design, unparalleled performance and matchless quality.
Sangean is proud to be the manufacturer of choice for Radio Shack, Siemens, Panasonic, Braun, AIWA, Emerson, Philips, Roberts and a host of others.
Additionally, Sangean products are offered by most electronic retailers, distributors and major catalog suppliers such a Sharper Image, Hammacher Schlemmer, Haverhills, Universal Radio, C.Crane, Frys Electronics, J&R Music and many others.
All Sangean products are high quality, portable and cosmetically appealing with the kind of feel and performance that has made Sangean the fastest growing radio line in the market today.
Outstanding products, combined with excellent customer service support and an unprecedented warranty policy in the audio industry have made Sangean the most appreciated company by customers owning a Sangean radio."
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