For some strange reason I got the urge to look into shortwave radios. Of course I don’t want to spend any money so I’m looking into a couple options. The most likely one is a Sangean SG622 that is on sale at Amazon. The questions are two.
Am I likely to get anything other than the local version of Britney Spears and Eminem from stations in other lands or are other countries more likely to have the kind of stuff you hear on NPR on a Sunday afternoon, that is more traditional or folk type music\programming?
Do I have a hope of getting anything from anywhere with this radio or will I have to break down and get the higher end Sangeans or Grundig “YB” series that are nearer $100 in price?
Just curious, any information is welcome. Before somebody chimes in with “just use the internet” I should mention that we don’t have access to the internet at home. That’s right, I’m at work slacking off again!
Shortwave is one of these things that are being killed by the Internet. But even with a small radio you will still be able to pick up something, usually the government outfits like Voice of America (USA), Radio Moscow (guess), Deutchsche Welle, BBC, etc. The first two are propaganda outfits; the other 2 are interesting for news, though these days you can get the BBC just as easily through Public Radio. Most stations use directional antennas, and they will beam, for example, English language stuff towards the US.
Hey, go for it, it may start you on SwOA (Shortwave Obsessive Acquisition Syndrome).
www.universal-radio.com is a great resource…very knowledgeable staff, great selection (including used), and excellent prices.
You pretty much get what you pay for, but an inexpensive entry level receiver will allow you to hear programming from the major international broadcasters, which is generally very interesting (good news, music, etc.) What you sacrifice with lower prices is sensitivity (not such a big deal for general listening) and selectivity, or the ability to cope with interference, which can be important on the crowded shortwave bands.
A fantastic book is Passport to Worldband Radios which includes international broadcasting schedules, radio reviews, and more.
Sangeans are generally quite good…the one you’re looking at will be fine for starters, although you eventually may find yourself wanting something a bit more refined…digital display, memories, better selectivity. But again, for starters, it’s fun to have something you just turn on and tune around on.
Good luck! Shortwave listening is very fun.
Micah
I have a Sangean ATS-803A. It may be a discontinued model. It is as good a shortwave receiver as you can get for the money. I listened lots in the 80’s but the internet and cable TV have surpassed SW for international news, music, and other niche entertainment that I used to find there. The last time I really listened was during Gulf War I until I realized that I could get all the news quicker on CNN - and pictures too.
But, anyway, I still use my Sangean for FM and I think you could do worse.
Mike
Sangean is definitely a good brand, the model vary quite a bit though. Make sure that the tuning is smooth as you turn the dial. Some digital receivers cut audio between changing frequencies and this is annoying.
But I do like digital receivers, it’s so must easier to find things.
If you really want to find stations, look into an antenna tuner and tune a long piece of wire with it. If the reception is weak, the antenna tuner with adjust the antennas frequency and many times that will do the trick.
It’s also nice to have Sideband capability in order to listen to SSB ham radio and military stuff. Older radios pickup sideband through a circuit known as a BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator).
Mark,
As a avid shortwave radio enthusiast for many years,
I have had shortwave radios ranging in price from $150.00 to nearly
two grand. But for the money and performance,you won’t get a better
radio than the Grundig Satellit 800. It’s pricey going around $500.00
but you can find deals on places like ebay! Good luck on your new
hobby, Ken
While some of the shortwave broadcasters do play music, you’re going to find more news and commentary, lifestyle, and propaganda than anything else. It’s been a while since I did much shortwave listening, but Radio Havana used to be good for music, mixed with their anti-US propaganda.
I picked up a Grundig Yachtboy 300PE from a local Radio Shack. They were clearing out the 300’s for the not quite as functional Porshe designed version. Got the whole kit with adapter, antennae and a shortwave guide (passport to worldband radio 2003) for 60$. Great book Micah.
The reception may not be as sensitive and it doesn’t have SSB but it picks up quite a few stations sitting on my deck at night. Radio Taipei International is a good one for SARS news and the hilarious “let’s Learn Chinese” segment where you can learn such usefull phrases as “Smoking after dinner makes you happy as a deity”
I find myself listening to BBC world service pretty often, good programming there even if the signal is pointed at Central America then somewhere in Florida.
Radio Havana does indeed have some good music if you ignore the rest.
Actually heard some familiar tunes from Ecuador as well.
Anybody know any good daytime stations with fairly strong signal in the western states?
If I do upgrade the Grundig 800 is on the very short list.
The best information about shortwave radios is Passport to World Band Radio. They use a consumers reports like rating system and tend very accurate reviews. You may want a while and let the manufactures add
digital AM in the new radios(should happen late this year). The sound sample I have heard are much like FM only in mono. Ten Tec sent me a
post card offering to add it to my radio for $50. BBC and a few other
stations are currently on a test broadcasting daily with the new mode.
73 Roy
Location is everything with short wave. The transmitions are targeted to certain parts of the globe at various times. I live on the west coast so I pick up a number of Spanish programs coming from the Northern Hemisphere down to the south. The basic shows are mentioned above, Canada is very easy to pick up anywhere in the states, but where I am, Radio Havana is so-so. I only have a Grundig YB400. I did rig up a single wire antenna ontop of the roof which helps some.
If you do get into it, you’ll want to pick up a guide book, the most recomended being “Passport to World Band Radio”. In fact if your not sure which radio to buy, the guide has tons of reviews from high dig. to low. It’s like the TV guide of shortwave but with a whole lot more info.
Reception is best when the sun goes down, so most listening is at night. You’ll mostly hear news, with some music, which can be tolling after awhile due to the quality of sound. but all in all good fun.
Keep in mind that after 9-11, shortwave radio sells grew sharply. Governments check out all the broadcasts, as it is still the freeist form of comunication without cencorship. I find the whole thing very interesting, and would recomend it to anyone with a brain between the ol’ ears.
One last thing, if you decide to get into it and it grabs ya, you might end up spending more money down the road.
