Does anyone know where a fella can get a good short wave radio? Are short waves the ones that Ham radio operators operate on? If not, can someone fill me in on the difference, please? Thank you.

-- dave (tidman@midiowa.net), June 25, 2000

Answers

Hi Dave, Yes, there is a difference depending on what you want it for. Most hams use a Transceiver which is both a transmitter and receiver in one. I think what you want is just the receiver unless you are planning on getting your ham radio liscence. Try to find out if there is a Ham Radio club in your area. Hams are a great bunch and usually very helpful to anyone who shows an interest in the hobby. They could put you in touch with someone who perhaps has second hand gear to sell. The price of new equipment is astronomical! Are you just wanting to listen to foreign radio broadcasts such as the BBC from London or do you want to listen to Ham radio operators, ships, aircraft etc? If the former then you could pick up a small shortwave radio pretty inexpensively from Radio Shack. Actually I got one from Target for about $30 back in 1993. It's the Magnavox D1875 11 Band World Radio. Tough little thing. I took it with me on Military deployments and it's still going strong. It's really taken a beating. Uses 4 AA batteries or ac adapter. If you want to get a bit more serious try to get a hold of an old FRG- 7 communications receiver made by YAESU in the late '70s. I bought mine new in '81 and I think it was $200 then. Should be able to get one for a lot less than that now unless it's become some kind of collectors item. But thousands were made so I doubt it. It's very basic and with just a length of wire stuck in the back will bring in a lot of interesting stuff. It covers from 0 to 30 Megahertz and will resolve USB, LSB, and AM signals. (that covers ships, aircraft, ham radio, morse code and the regular foreign radio broadcasts) It's about 18" square and doesn't use batteries. There were similar receivers made by other companies that are probably just as good but I don't have experience with them. Oh you asked if shortwaves were what hams operate on. Yes we do, mostly for long distance contacts, but also VHF and UHF. Your getting into a very interesting and absorbing hobby Dave, I hope you can find someone local who can assist you. If I can help you further please don't hesitate to ask. It'll be interesting to see if we have other hams or shortwave radio buffs on the forum. Best wishes, Pauline

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters-Farm@AltaVista.com), June 25, 2000.

Me again, If you go to Yahoo, scroll down to Sports and Recreation, click on there then go to Hobbies. I think Amateur Radio is the top of the list. Lot's of sites and web pages!!! also a forum. I'm sure you will be able to find info about ham radio activities/equipment sales in your area there. Good luck, Pauline

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters_farm@AltaVista.com), June 25, 2000.

A shortwave lets you recieve long-distance (DX) signals like a radio. You cannot talk on it. They are great. I have a small Grundig and listen often to the news from Canada, Cuba, and England. Operates by battery or AC cord. Cost is around the $100 range for a reconditioned one. More money, more features. Go to a Radio Shack or electronics store to see them. Don't buy without checking the latest edition of "Passport to World Band Radio" a book that comes out every year. I believe the 2000 one is available, usually $16-20, but a MUST investment if you are new to using/purchasing a radio. Goes through all the basics and the brands available. Good luck. I love mine.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), June 25, 2000.

Ham radio operators use a number of different frequencys. When most people refer to short wave now a days they are refering to Short wave listening (SWL). This is receiving only radio stations from around the world. BBS, Voice of America, Radio cuba, Radio canada, etc

If your interested in talking then a ham radio licenses would be needed. The US national Radio orgainzation is the ARRL www.arrl.org Give them a try for what you need to become a ham.

Ham radio is a non commerical, public service, hobby service. No bussiness communications permitted.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), June 25, 2000.

Dave! I'm a ham operator and have been for 20 years. If you're interested in ham radio then check with the ARRL or a local ham. If it's just listening then I'd recommend a Drake R8 shortwave receiver. The code had been almost done away with now as a requirement for a ham license. I think the highest wpm required is 5. Personally, I love the code and prefer it over voice. At any rate, once you get involved with this old and new medium of communication you will be hooked for a lifetime. Good luck. Old hoot gibson KA9JYN. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@otbnet.com), June 25, 2000.

Hey Hoot a fellow ham! I wondered if you were when I saw your post "tinkering with radios" I grew up watching my dad tinker with radios and that got me interested in shortwave. Got my licence in England in 1980. Part of the exam was on vacuum tubes!! Technology has come a long way hasn't it? I've been off the air for a while due to frequent moves. Need to throw an antenna together and apply for a new reciprocal license. I love CW too but probably a bit rusty at the moment. Would enjoy chatting with you someday. My mum and dad are also hams.It used to save us a lot of money in phone bills back when it cost a dollar a minute to call England. Boy, I'm itching to get out the soldering iron and start work!! Pauline G4JQE

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters_farm@AltaVista.com), June 26, 2000.

Dave, Sangean radios are also good. Be sure to get a shortwave with USB (upper side band) capability, as I understand that all foreign broadcasts will go to that by 2003 I think it is. I personally would avoid buying a Radio Shack radio. They don't hold up well or at least the products we have bought from them didn't. One AM/FM/CD player was replaced 3 times before the original warranty ran out, then the last one died within 6 months. Some of the SW broadcasts are also carried on internet, but of course, if you are preparing for emergencies, a battery operated shortwave would be best. Many of the more expensive battery operated radios also come with an adaptor and a place to attach an outside antenna which will boost your reception considerably. You can even use just a piece of TV antenna wire for the radio antenna. I mean the type that is two wires that are coated with plastic, not a cable coax. We listen to shortwave a lot here.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), June 26, 2000.

For some used radio's checkout the Monitoring Times website at http://www.grove-ent.com/index.html

They often have bunches of goodies. And if you can make it to any sort of hamfest, be sure to go. Talk about pieces, parts and stuff !! You can find almost anything there. And deals can be made.

FWIW, the max code speed required for any license class is now five words per minute. As soon as I can find the time, I've got to upgrade from my no-code tech. A good winter evening thing, I'm think.

j (KD4BWA and looking forward to stringing some wire at the new QTH!)

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), June 26, 2000.

Well Dave, here's a listing for shortwave radios for sale on Yahoo!

http://search.shopping.yahoo.com/search?p=shortwave+radio&P=all&cl=dmi ys/shortwave_radio

Just click on the dollar range your looking for and see what you can find. There are a lot of dealers around but if you should locate any ham radio operators in your area they will be most helpful I'm sure in helping you to locate gear for sale. They can give you some tips to as to what to look for. I myself am a ham radio operator (KA1NMA is my callsign) and I started out by listening to short wave recievers. My first was a DX60 portable from Radio Shack. It didn't hold up all that well and had some short comings but none the less I was able to listen to world broadcasts and also some ham operators. I then got a DX160 which was not a portable, also from Radio Shack, and this unit allowed me to listen to side band transmissions as well as AM signals. In fact I still have the DX160 today, though it doesn't get used much anymore. I hope you find what you're looking for and also hope you might consider becoming a ham!

-- Bob Johnson (backwoods_bob_2000@yahoo.com), June 27, 2000.

73's de N5USS

its a wonderful hobby, good luck, and feel free to ask if i can answer any questions

gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), June 28, 2000.