Is shortwave radio still a thing?
#26
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Thanks everyone. I'm pleased that, despite the comments of the 2 sarcastic guys, some tourers are still listening to shortwave. However, it's probably correct that the internet reduces the need for a SW radio. I see that there's a BBC podcast that gives a weekly summary of world news.
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I carry an emergency crank radio. No batteries. I use it to get weather info if I don't have cell coverage.
#28
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The internet has reduced the need for radio reliance, but it does provide a network of it's own which still thrives. I was an BSA Venturing Adviser for about 10 years and have had some training because it can be useful in remote areas and is much more practical than satellite phones. Like everything else the equipment has grown smaller, more powerful and can be a fascinating hobby all by itself. I once used a hand held unit to talk from Michigan to Yugoslavia by draping a Slinky over a barbed wire fence for an antenna/amplifier, pretty cool. The open channel nature of the network is a whole different world and kind of neat.
Marc
Marc
#29
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Definitely. I take one on solo tours. BBC cancelled broadcasting to Asia years ago though so these days I'm limited to mostly Chinese language programming. Oddly back when I lived in Toronto I could pick up the Chinese government programming clearly even in daylight hours.
#30
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Thanks everyone. I'm pleased that, despite the comments of the 2 sarcastic guys, some tourers are still listening to shortwave. However, it's probably correct that the internet reduces the need for a SW radio. I see that there's a BBC podcast that gives a weekly summary of world news.
#31
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A transceiver could be fun... I think about strategies for rigging up a quick wire antenna on some trees maybe?
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#33
Walmart bike rider
I'm an avid shortwave listener. Sad to say though, the days of getting fresh news on shortwave radio are pretty much gone. You might be able to get BBC or Deutsche Welle targeting Africa but more then likely not a very good signal. Nearly all the Europeans are gone from shortwave, even the once mighty Voice of Russia that used to be only every single band 24 hours a day. Even China even has cut way back on transmitting to the USA.
The few who do target the US like Romania don't really cover world issues but country specific issues. Cuba is on at night but again, mostly focus on Cuban issues but neither of them do live news.
There is one shortwave station, a new one in fact, Global 24 on 9.395 that is just starting up and has a lot of international news broadcast during the day, although reception can be a hit or miss.
As everyone also knows, 3 minutes of shortwave searching will reveal the "The last day prophet of God, Brother Stair" on all over the place 24 hours a day.
AM radio dxing on the other hand will land you a bunch of stuff and during a tour, it's fun to go from day to day and listen to different stations on AM.
The few who do target the US like Romania don't really cover world issues but country specific issues. Cuba is on at night but again, mostly focus on Cuban issues but neither of them do live news.
There is one shortwave station, a new one in fact, Global 24 on 9.395 that is just starting up and has a lot of international news broadcast during the day, although reception can be a hit or miss.
As everyone also knows, 3 minutes of shortwave searching will reveal the "The last day prophet of God, Brother Stair" on all over the place 24 hours a day.
AM radio dxing on the other hand will land you a bunch of stuff and during a tour, it's fun to go from day to day and listen to different stations on AM.
#34
Walmart bike rider
A transceiver could be fun... I think about strategies for rigging up a quick wire antenna on some trees maybe?
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Robot Check
Will allow you to communicate with hams while on tour on VHF and UHF. I suspect you can probably get a lot of local tips if you are just riding into town and ask on VHF/UHF about services in town. Hams are very friendly and probably would go out of their way to assist you.
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Western Union hasn't provided telegram service since 2006.
Western Union Sends Its Last Telegram : NPR
Western Union Sends Its Last Telegram : NPR
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Thanks for that! You're right, I don't have a license! Long long ago I had a third class commercial license, probably about the same level of challenge. But now my partner's son is an electrical engineering major in college. He's doing OK but some practical reinforcement wouldn't hurt. We do sometimes go out bike riding together. Here in the mountains cell phone coverage is quite spotty. Of course, radio probably won't work much better! But at that price, the learning process becomes affordable!