Hobbies And Interests
Shortwave: A Definition
Shortwave refers to a type of radio wave that is between 10 and 100 meters---generally from 2.6 megahertz (mHz) to 30 mHz. Unlike its more familiar counterpart medium-wave (your basic AM radio), where you can typically only hear a station from a few miles away, shortwave radio takes advantage of the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field to bounce signals over the horizon to receivers far away. This is known as "propagation." Radio waves that travel a long distance are called DX; hence, a person who listens to radio from far away is called a "DX'er".
What Can Be Heard on Shortwave?
Plenty! Countries across the globe share their messages and traditions on shortwave frequencies. You can hear the haunting music of the Slovakian fujara, live papal masses from the Vatican, news as it happens directly from the source (or with a slant you won't hear in the States), and much more. It's a realm where international broadcasters from around the world can send their messages and cultures to other nations.
How Do You Receive Shortwave Radio?
Most AM/FM radios will not pick up shortwave signals. You will need a receiver capable of tuning to shortwave frequencies. Today you can find exceptional receivers for at or below $100, which provide excellent reception, such as the Sangean ATS 818 (aka that Radio Shack DX 392) or the ATS 404. You can still get an analog receiver, too, but it's best to get a digital tuning receiver.
Picking Up the Signal
To begin with, your radio's built-in antenna should be adequate; but to pick up more signals, you will need an outside antenna. A simple longwire stretched between poles or trees (and grounded) with an input line to your receiver will give you years of listening pleasure. Then you can move up to building more sophisticated antennas.
When and Where to Listen
Usually, the best time to pick up shortwave is as the sun is setting or rising or in the nighttime. The great joy of shortwave listening is just slowly tuning the receiver up and down the dial looking for a hidden treasure, a station that you have never heard before from a distant country. There are also many online listings and printed schedules of broadcast times and frequencies for stations. And don't worry about the language---while there are many broadcasts in various languages, many are also transmitted in English.
Collecting QSL Cards
Many DX'ers write to stations they hear for written confirmation to prove they picked up the station. Send a letter to the station describing the date and time of the broadcast, what you heard, the frequency and how well the signal came in. If your report matches their records, they will usually send you what is called a QSL card to verify the reception. Much like stamp collecting, these become prized possessions in a DX'er's collection. (Sometimes a report must include return postage or International Reply Coupons for a response.)