Portable Shortwave radios...

[BigBossIchi]

I would like to purchase one and would like to know if anyone has any expertise in this field as to which model would do best. I would like to listen to radio programs aired from the US and other parts of the world if possible. I would also like to purchase one that includes SSB and one that includes very good frequency coverage...If anyone could point me to some examples or pointers on looking for one, please your help would be appreciated, thx! One example of what I was looking at is this.. HERE

 

[Mike Cash]

The only comment I can make, based on very limited experience with them, is to purchase one which allows you to string up a wire antenna for improved reception.

I used to have one which included a wire antenna a few meters long on a handy-dandy storage spool. One end was designed to slip over the regular external antenna, and the other end had a clip to facilitate attaching it to whatever came handy at the time. It really made a tremendous difference in reception.

 

[BigBossIchi]

Thanks for the pointer Mike, as the model I was looking at does in fact have an external jack to allow you to hook one up.

 

[Mike Cash]

Then make sure you grab an antenna at the same time. Better to have it done than to try to hunt one up later....especially after you get over here.

 

[Sukotto]

besides NHK

Are there any other shortwave stations that broadcast from Japan towards North America besides NHK?


And while we're on the subject.
Anyone care to list shortwave stations from their country that might
be pointed at the States?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I've had great luck with....

my Grundig Yacht Boy 400PE. It has all the features you are looking for and has great reception , especially hooked up to a long wire antenna. Here in the states you can receive Japanese stations that are picked up in Canada and rebroadcast with a stronger signal. A few freqs to try are 5960 6025 9610 9680 9725 11885 11895 15230. Night time is usually the best reception by far, after 10PM. Good luck!

Uncle Frank



PS - Low freqs are best heard at night and High freqs during the day. Some freqs I heard Japan on from Maine are 2863 6030 6145 6180 6679 7200 8828 9695 11715 11730 11830 11855 11880 11910 12060 12085 13282 15405 15420 15590 17680 17870 21755 all from 3 years ago, nothing more up to date.

 

[yukio_michael]

Wow, I miss my radio... Icom makes a very good short-wave radio, in almost any of their configurations, but I've owned a fairly good Sony as well... You probably can't go wrong w/ Frank's Grundig suggestion too, another very well received brand.

I didn't know this, but Voice of America, the United States shortwave programme broadcasts to other nations is purposefully read slower, to allow people to better learn English--- I wish there was this sort of thing coming out of Japan.

PS. It's funny... As a person who grew up BEFORE the internet came to prominence, things like short-wave seemed like an amazing tool to reach out and find information about other countries... at the very least, what these cultures found newsworthy--- what culture they reported on.

"I can't live without my radio..."