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A topic many don't think much about in todays ulta-hi tech world is how to get info or news when the SHTF. The old time method of Shortwave radio still provides much when it's really needed and still provided unfiltered news today for those with simple quaity SW radios today.
This story will show how and why Shortwave isn't just for the hobby crowd.
"The main reason for listening to shortwave in my opinion is to hear what is happening elsewhere in the world, since often you won’t hear from other countries on the local news stations. Even with cable and satellite television sometimes you will hear things you won’t hear even on the major cable news networks. "
(snip)
"In an emergency, a shortwave radio almost always has the AM band on it as well. This will usually give you local and regional news, especially if there is some kind of real, declared emergency. The ENS or Emergency Notification System will notify you with some tones and data packets, and then announcements will come through by voice warning of anything from tornadoes, to flash floods to nuclear war. "
While the Grundig is a good radio this Grudig portable is an easy all manual tuning (not much to break or mess up) radio that does a fine job ,with really good sound, while being very easy on batteries when you need it be frugal. I clipped a wire antenna to mine and it really walks and talks on Shortwave!
Can i ask a stupid question.
More importantly, will you answer a stupid question?
I'm just about clueless regarding all things tech, etc.
What stations do short wave radios pick up?
Do they pick up only other short wave signals or F.M. and A.M. as well?
If they don't, is there a radio that can do this?
Can i go up to Idaho for part of the winter and say, for example, pick up local stations from the Santa Cruz, CA area?
Thank you.
Can i ask a stupid question.
More importantly, will you answer a stupid question?
I'm just about clueless regarding all things tech, etc.
What stations do short wave radios pick up?
Do they pick up only other short wave signals or F.M. and A.M. as well?
If they don't, is there a radio that can do this?
Can i go up to Idaho for part of the winter and say, for example, pick up local stations from the Santa Cruz, CA area?
Thank you.
Thanks for that Tightwad. I'll give it a good lookover.
Put it in my Amazon shopping cart so I won't lose track.
Still on the fence though..manual over digital.
You are right though that manual has less to break.
Quote:
Originally Posted by coyoteskye
Can i ask a stupid question.
More importantly, will you answer a stupid question?
I'm just about clueless regarding all things tech, etc.
What stations do short wave radios pick up?
Do they pick up only other short wave signals or F.M. and A.M. as well?
If they don't, is there a radio that can do this?
Can i go up to Idaho for part of the winter and say, for example, pick up local stations from the Santa Cruz, CA area?
Thank you.
For the sake of this discussion let's look at the radios that are aimed at survival situations even if any good AM/FM/SW radio will do. This company has much to offer in those radios as well as a short disussion about Shortwave listening. (Yes, shortwave LISTENING not broadcasting like ham radios operators do)
This brief tutorial on Shortwave may make it easier to understand the topic. Shortwave Tutorial
another good site for the newbie to learn with is....... DXing.com Web Resource for shortwave, scanner and ham radio hobbyists (DX'ing is searching the airwaves for stations to listen to. Also spend some time learning/understanding "signal propagation" and what it means to your radio.)
One other key point..........
NO RADIO IS ANY GOOD WITHOUT A GOOD ANTENNA. (this is THE best book on receiving antenna's I've ever seen for those that wish join the DX'ing hobby) http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/books/3113.html
Portables can use a simple short 18">36" piece of 14 ga. copper insulated wire clipped to the radios antenna to improve reception but don't over do the length of the wire or you will overload the portables "front end" and burn it out.
Before you spend any money learn a bit first so your radio selection won't let you down when you need it most.
Last edited by Grandpa Pipes; 10-30-2009 at 06:51 PM..
Thank you tightwad. Glad I didn't jump so quick to buy something yet.
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