Any Shortwave Worldband enthusiasts about?

FlemingsGhost

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:37 PM
Original message

Any Shortwave Worldband enthusiasts about?

Recieved an emergency crank radio for the Holidays, and really had a great time listening to shortwave last night.

Are there any good online resources that offer tips, tricks and especially a programming schedule? I am particularly interested in French-speaking broadcasts and English-speaking foreign news programs.

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Tsiyu

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:43 PM
Response to Original message

1. What kind did you get?

I got the hand-crank Grundig and have played with it a bit though like you I could use some direction.

My brother ( as a teenager) used to hav a cool shortwave and received cards from all over the world verifying the stations he heard.

I'll be interested to see if you get any cool links from this post.:hi:

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ChairmanAgnostic

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:45 PM
Response to Reply #1

3. try online services for programing

some good sources. I like BBC and euro stations.

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FlemingsGhost

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:50 PM
Response to Reply #1

5. Radio Shack's hand-crank model.

:hi:

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Tsiyu

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Tue Dec-27-05 07:08 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. I really wanted the radio Shack one!

It has received awesome reviews, but I couldn't find one. Where do you live? My Grundig was actually purchased at a Radio Shack but they didn't have the RS model for sale!!!!!! (TN)

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Canuckistanian

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:44 PM
Response to Original message

2. One resource is all you really need

The Passport to World Band Radio. It's published every year and has all the tricks, tips, schedules and handy guides that you need.

http://www.passband.com/

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FlemingsGhost

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:52 PM
Response to Reply #2

6. Thanks, Canuckistanian

:cheers:

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OPERATIONMINDCRIME

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Wed Dec-28-05 01:48 AM
Response to Reply #6

17. HAHAHA It Isn't Just Me! Yes!!!!!!

I'm not the only one that substitues cheers instead of toast just to see it not friggin display the glasses clinking LOL

I was thinking of PM'ing Skinner a request to enable both keywords to trigger the smiley. Ya with me? :)

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FlemingsGhost

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Wed Dec-28-05 02:59 AM
Response to Reply #17

18. Y'know .... I've done that more than a few times ...

You can count on my support

:cheer .... er, I mean :toast:

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SeattleVet

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Tue Dec-27-05 06:48 PM
Response to Original message

4. Definitely agree with Canuckistanian

Passport to World Band Radio is *the* resource. I've been buying it for several years, and it's worth every penny.

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LastDemocratInSC

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Tue Dec-27-05 07:31 PM
Response to Original message

8. Here's another good site ... one of many found through Google

http://shortwave.hfradio.org/

I've been a SWL since my youngest years. It's an endlessly fascinating pursuit. One thing that bums me out about SW, however, is the proliferation of right-wing political and religious stations. They seem to be everywhere these days.

I use a Kenwood TS-680s desktop and a Yaesu VX-5R handheld. The Yaesu, designed primarily for VHF and UHF work, is surprisingly sensitive on the HF bands and does very well with a decent antenna and counterpoise.

I hope you enjoy your radio as much as I enjoy mine.

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FlemingsGhost

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Tue Dec-27-05 07:45 PM
Response to Reply #8

9. I hear ya about the religious programming... it's everywhere!

Thanks for the resource.
:hi:

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DBoon

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Tue Dec-27-05 08:04 PM
Response to Original message

10. Yes, sometimes

Too much noise in an urban area to listen much at home.

I have a small portable I take with me on travel. Nice to get reputable news when out in the middle of nowhere.

I'm also a licensed ham, though I have almost no time for that hobby.

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enigmatic

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Tue Dec-27-05 10:18 PM
Response to Original message

11. Huge SW and DX buff here

I've collected SW radios for most of my life; welcome, and have fun!

Here are the big links for SW radio buffs:

Popular Communications:

http://www.popular-communications.com/

Monitoring Times:

http://www.monitoringtimes.com/

Radio Reference:

http://www.radioreference.com/

Passport To World Band Radio:

http://www.passband.com/

WRTH:

http://www.wrth.com/

And one indispensible guide:

http://www.dxzone.com/

If you have any questions let me know; you won't be able to get much other than the big shortwave boomers w/ the hand-crank Grundig, but it might wet your appetite for a better reciever. Have fun!

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FlemingsGhost

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Wed Dec-28-05 12:55 AM
Response to Reply #11

12. Thanx, enigmatic. Speaking of reception ...

Is it necessary to get a better reciever, as opposed to an alternative antenna? I'm an aprtment dweller in a smaller urban environment.

I've seen plans for a do-it-yourself magnetic antenna ... can they bought? Is it practical?

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enigmatic

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Wed Dec-28-05 01:22 AM
Response to Reply #12

13. Antennas are very important

A 500 dollar reciever w/ a crappy antenna sounds crappy, but a 50 dollar reciever can sound like a 500 one w/ a great antenna.

Here's a link to a cheap antenna that you can make yourself that works; I've made many over the years:

http://www.radiohc.org/Distributions/Dxers/broomstick.html

If you want to DX (listening to distant stations and keeping a log of them)on AM, getting the radio as close to the window and finding the sweet spot helps. The Select-Tenna is also worthwhile if you want to spend a little money:

http://www.selectatenna.com/

Hope this helps!

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Jara sang

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Wed Dec-28-05 01:28 AM
Response to Reply #11

14. Hey enigmatic! What's a good table top SW radio?

I'm thinking of getting a Yaesu FRG-100. Know anything about those? Thanks!

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enigmatic

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Wed Dec-28-05 01:46 AM
Response to Reply #14

16. Those are sweet

I'm mostly a Heathkit and Zeinith guy, but you can never go wrong w/ a Yaesu...

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KharmaTrain

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Wed Dec-28-05 03:07 AM
Response to Reply #11

19. Here's Another Good Site

http://www.tvradioworld.com/

This offers breakdowns by country. I have been a lifelong DX'er, too...now I do it via the cyber-waves. I still have old recording of Radio Moscow, RSA, Radio Habana and Radio Bejing in their 70's "glory".

These days the internet had made it a lot easier to hear international broadcasts and the large influx of new stations around the world has made it tougher than it used to be to make "good catches".

Happy New Years

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ConsAreLiars

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Wed Dec-28-05 01:39 AM
Response to Original message

15. DUer Gloria has a nice page of info and links to resources

http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical/shortwave.htm

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KatyaR

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Wed Dec-28-05 10:15 AM
Response to Original message

20. "Glen Hauser's World of Radio" is good, too.

http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/

I used to listen to shortwave a lot--I loved listening to Radio Canada International (RCI). Unfortunately, it fell by the wayside when internet radio became so popular. I listen to a lot of those stations over the internet now.

I still think shortwave's an amazing thing.

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hayu_lol

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Wed Dec-28-05 11:13 AM
Response to Reply #20

21. Radio Shack used to have excellent antenna packs...all you have to do

is string it up. Need as good a ground as possible...you can buy copper rods, 6-8 feet long to drive into the ground. Find a local Ham club...they can give you all the info you need...sometimes even give you a hand getting started.

KB6UBP/7

You might try the library for an Antenna book...how to make your own, even if you can't put up a longwire outside. Lots of small compact antennas can be easily made.

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KatyaR

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Wed Dec-28-05 07:21 PM
Response to Reply #21

22. Hey, I'm a ham, too!!

I've never gotten to do much with it, and I probably couldn't remember how to put together a radio set for the life of me. I guess I just got lazy when internet radio came about-too reliable, too easy.

ARRL used to sell a book on stealth antennas--I need to buy that and give it a try. Living in an apartment, that's pretty much the only way I can go right now.

My dream's always been to have a fully-outfitted station out in the middle of nowhere where I wouldn't have to worry about antenna height or interference. It'll probably never happen, but it'a a nice dream.

73s
KD5MCD

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enigmatic

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Thu Dec-29-05 02:24 AM
Response to Reply #20

23. Great call

Glen's a wealth of information....

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