Shortwave Broadcasts
Companies selling "survival" products often suggest having some sort of shortwave (SW) radio. What can you do with one on a daily basis or during a natural or man-made disaster or other type of emergency?
Having been interested in all types of radio since I was a young kid in the early 1960's I have had many, many different kinds of radios -- both receivers and transmitters. I'll share some thoughts and observations...
You can hear a few domestic and foreign broadcast stations with any half-way decent SW radio. Today a decent basic radio costs $20 or less. You will be able to pick up a few broadcasts at random, usually more at night, using the built-in metal antenna. Night-time is optimum because SW radio waves bounce back to earth better at night due to the position and composition of the ionosphere. 'Nuff said without getting way too technical.
If you run a length of wire and make electrical contact with the radio's built-in metal antenna you will pick up more broadcasts. A better antenna outdoors always helps. The inexpensive radios don't have the controls you need to listen to shortwave with any degree of efficiency. If you are looking for something specific (like broadcasts from a particular country or at a particular time of day from a specific station) you'll need a better radio, perhaps with digital readout tuning.
As with most things, the more you spend (to a certain extent) and the more you pay attention to details (good antenna, up-to-date broadcast schedules, etc.) you'll be able to get more out of shortwave listening.
What will you hear?
Most people think about "shortwave radio" as programs from foreign countries. This is true. However, unless you know foreign languages it not very useful. Most foreign broadcasters do direct a few programs specifically to the USA in English during periods of optimum reception using the most appropriate radio frequencies. Basically, you can get news in English from foreign countries usually in the evening within the Continental United States (CONUS).
Is it news or propaganda?
Usually both. Specific developments are broadcast as news but you may not hear about something important because the foreign government want you to hear positive, upbeat news and general information about their country. This is always true but depending on the situation you may get more or less useful information. It's highly variable and you must carefully judge what you hear.
The same is true with U.S. based SW broadcast stations
A majority of U.S. SW stations seem to broadcast religious programming. Some of them also broadcast alternative information programs. A majority of these seem to be originated by individuals and groups with patriotic motivations. Also, there are programs available about shortwave listening and of course most of the SW stations broadcast some form of network news. Again, you decide for yourself what information is useful.
In a major emergency the local broadcast stations may be off the air for an extended period. They may be broadcasting but putting out information that does not give you a clear picture of the overall situation. If the emergency is widespread it will get national and international attention. This is when SW radios would extremely useful for "getting word from the outside world."
Generally speaking the term "shortwave" refers to broadcasts on radio frequencies between 3-30 megaHertz (mHz). FM radio stations broadcast in the 88-108 mHz range, well above shortwave. AM radio is below shortwave using frequencies of .54 to about 1.725 mHz. Some shortwave radios only receive specificied bands of frequencies considered to be standard for these typews of broadcasts. A "general coverage" (more expensive) receiver able to tune ALL of the 3-30 mHz is much more useful in emergencies.
If you have a good general coverage shortwave radio you can receive several amateur radio bands of frequencies throughout the 3-30 mHz range and 27 mHz CB radio. Reception of these transmissions could go a long way toward giving you a much better picture of your overall situation. This is where better equipment, antennas, precise tuning and knowledge of specific frequencies is important.
Here are resources that should help you to acquire more knowledge fo this subject:
Radio Frequencies
Broadcast Schedules
Ham Radio and Ham Radio Frequencies
Ham radio operators prepare for emergency support operations and hold a big Field Day each year.
Citizens' Band (C
General Information
Official and semi-official communications may be available on SW frequencies during an extended and/or widespread emergency. For example, there is a nationwide backup radio network called SHARES. There are military services affiliated amateur radio networks that might be used for official traffic such as Army MARS and Air Force MARS.
So, in a situation where you're trying to find out what's going on SW radio can be a big help.
Having been interested in all types of radio since I was a young kid in the early 1960's I have had many, many different kinds of radios -- both receivers and transmitters. I'll share some thoughts and observations...
You can hear a few domestic and foreign broadcast stations with any half-way decent SW radio. Today a decent basic radio costs $20 or less. You will be able to pick up a few broadcasts at random, usually more at night, using the built-in metal antenna. Night-time is optimum because SW radio waves bounce back to earth better at night due to the position and composition of the ionosphere. 'Nuff said without getting way too technical.
If you run a length of wire and make electrical contact with the radio's built-in metal antenna you will pick up more broadcasts. A better antenna outdoors always helps. The inexpensive radios don't have the controls you need to listen to shortwave with any degree of efficiency. If you are looking for something specific (like broadcasts from a particular country or at a particular time of day from a specific station) you'll need a better radio, perhaps with digital readout tuning.
As with most things, the more you spend (to a certain extent) and the more you pay attention to details (good antenna, up-to-date broadcast schedules, etc.) you'll be able to get more out of shortwave listening.
What will you hear?
Most people think about "shortwave radio" as programs from foreign countries. This is true. However, unless you know foreign languages it not very useful. Most foreign broadcasters do direct a few programs specifically to the USA in English during periods of optimum reception using the most appropriate radio frequencies. Basically, you can get news in English from foreign countries usually in the evening within the Continental United States (CONUS).
Is it news or propaganda?
Usually both. Specific developments are broadcast as news but you may not hear about something important because the foreign government want you to hear positive, upbeat news and general information about their country. This is always true but depending on the situation you may get more or less useful information. It's highly variable and you must carefully judge what you hear.
The same is true with U.S. based SW broadcast stations
A majority of U.S. SW stations seem to broadcast religious programming. Some of them also broadcast alternative information programs. A majority of these seem to be originated by individuals and groups with patriotic motivations. Also, there are programs available about shortwave listening and of course most of the SW stations broadcast some form of network news. Again, you decide for yourself what information is useful.
In a major emergency the local broadcast stations may be off the air for an extended period. They may be broadcasting but putting out information that does not give you a clear picture of the overall situation. If the emergency is widespread it will get national and international attention. This is when SW radios would extremely useful for "getting word from the outside world."
Generally speaking the term "shortwave" refers to broadcasts on radio frequencies between 3-30 megaHertz (mHz). FM radio stations broadcast in the 88-108 mHz range, well above shortwave. AM radio is below shortwave using frequencies of .54 to about 1.725 mHz. Some shortwave radios only receive specificied bands of frequencies considered to be standard for these typews of broadcasts. A "general coverage" (more expensive) receiver able to tune ALL of the 3-30 mHz is much more useful in emergencies.
If you have a good general coverage shortwave radio you can receive several amateur radio bands of frequencies throughout the 3-30 mHz range and 27 mHz CB radio. Reception of these transmissions could go a long way toward giving you a much better picture of your overall situation. This is where better equipment, antennas, precise tuning and knowledge of specific frequencies is important.
Here are resources that should help you to acquire more knowledge fo this subject:
Radio Frequencies
Broadcast Schedules
Ham Radio and Ham Radio Frequencies
Ham radio operators prepare for emergency support operations and hold a big Field Day each year.
Citizens' Band (C
General Information
Official and semi-official communications may be available on SW frequencies during an extended and/or widespread emergency. For example, there is a nationwide backup radio network called SHARES. There are military services affiliated amateur radio networks that might be used for official traffic such as Army MARS and Air Force MARS.
So, in a situation where you're trying to find out what's going on SW radio can be a big help.
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