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Is shortwave radio still a thing?

Old 11-16-14, 01:42 PM
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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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Old 11-16-14, 02:45 PM
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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.
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Old 11-16-14, 04:42 PM
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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.

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Old 11-19-14, 01:45 PM
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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.
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Old 11-20-14, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by ScruffyChimp
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.
There's a whole universe of BBC Podcasts. I make sure to load my iPhone up with them whenever I have wifi access.....it's slow and battery hogging using 3G. I listen to the comedy shows like "The News Quiz" and "Just a Minute" and shows like "In Our Time" and "The History of the World in 100 Objects". There are also some great podcasts from NPR and Nerdist.com and other independent producers. If I want to keep up on the news I read The Guardian on my iPhone or just tune into the local NPR station on my small AM/FM radio.
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Old 11-22-14, 11:23 PM
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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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Old 11-22-14, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ScruffyChimp
Thanks everyone. I'm pleased that.........
Thank you for starting the thread. I really enjoyed it.
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Old 11-23-14, 12:24 AM
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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.
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Old 11-23-14, 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Jim Kukula
A transceiver could be fun... I think about strategies for rigging up a quick wire antenna on some trees maybe?

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If you get a technician ham license (really easy, they give you the answers to the test ahead of time), a simple 40 dollar radio like this one

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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Old 11-23-14, 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted by adventurepdx
Western Union hasn't provided telegram service since 2006.
Western Union Sends Its Last Telegram : NPR
Aw, that's sad. I regret that I never sent one now.
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Old 11-23-14, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by gpsblake
a simple 40 dollar radio
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!
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