What's the status of shortwave radio overall? I really like the idea of getting a shortwave radio for information purposes. Also there's a certain romance on trying to pick up a signal from half a world away. I actually foresee a general renaisance of the medium soon due how oppressive mainstream media and internet are getting. The question is this: How do you see the future of shortwave radio? Some people say it's a dying medium and others say is not, that is only changing shape. Can anybody please be honest and kind enough to tell me what's the situation? What's the status of shortwave radio overall? I really like the idea of getting a shortwave radio for information purposes. Also there's a certain romance on trying to pick up a signal from... » Read More What's the status of shortwave radio overall? I really like the idea of getting a shortwave radio for information purposes. Also there's a certain romance on trying to pick up a signal from half a world away. I actually foresee a general renaisance of the medium soon due how oppressive mainstream media and internet are getting. The question is this: How do you see the future of shortwave radio? Some people say it's a dying medium and others say is not, that is only changing shape. Can anybody please be honest and kind enough to tell me what's the situation? « Show Less
1137449
Hector,Shortwave radio will never go away, but it will always continue to change. BBC and Deutsche Welle no longer broadcast to Notrh America, but they continue to broadcast to many other parts of the world and can be picked up when conditions are good. And remember, we're at the bottom of the eleven year sunspot cycle and shortwave can't get any worse than it is right now. From here on it will get better and better over the next 5 to 6 years. Walter
1137450
Hi Hector: There's still plenty of "romance" out there but you're gonna have to sift through the myriad of religious zealots and others to find the good stuff. Most of the "Big Boys" (broadcast powerhouses like BBC, VOA, etc.) have greatly cut back their services and others have completely left the airwaves for the Internet. Still, for the DXer (one who searches for remote stations) there are jewels within the static-filled rough that await your discovery.
1137451
I know this is a six year-old question but not much has changed in 2014 in terms of the original question. As most have already indicated, the HF band has changed over the decades but there is still plenty to listen to. I have several receivers and I still find lots of good stuff to listen to. While it's true many stations have gone off the air or changed over to internet based broadcasts, there are still many stations on the air even in 2014 :)
1137452
BFO stands for Beat Frequency Oscillator. It is used to inject a signal to a SSB signal to make it listenable. Yes, stations used to give out QSL cards as acknowledgement of getting your reception report. Hams do it too.Hope this helps.
1137453
Two questions: I know BFO is the antenna that can help pull in ssb and help fine tune? stations, what do the initials stand for? ?Big? Ferrite ?O...? Also is it QSL cards from stations one can get-does that stand for Quick Shout L....??? I love swl and the different stations, but I wish there were more bbc, D Welle, and others broadcasting like years ago. It is fascinating and I guess romantic to pick up stations from across the world.
2085481
I've downloaded the manual, read the specifications, and nowhere do I see an indication that AM radio is offered. There is no AM/FM toggle mentioned, or a Band control. If someone has used this unit and had AM reception, please post here and mention which control on the radio allows access to AM.
1955947
It depends on what you like. I was very captivated by the idea of ham radio as a child in the 1950's and when I was most active in the hobby it was because I liked working ships at sea, people on other continents, the Amazon, Antarctica etc. Cellular phones and the internet have taken away a lot of the thrill for me for that sort of thing now. For you, it may depend on what you like to do i.e. do you like to chat with people in public conversations that anyone can listen in on. Unfortunately for me personally, it's not my thing. I bought the Baofeng Radio mainly for emergency use and, sadly perhaps, have talked on it very little. You might want to seek out a local ham radio club and see if they are the kind of folks that you would enjoy chatting with. If so you might enjoy the VHF/UHF thing like the Baofeng. If you are interested in DX (HF) that's another story. I hope this is helpful to you. I would be happy to try to answer any other questions you may have.
1272306
You ever noticed that in all have opinions for and against. The G3 portable radio receiver fulfills its task of being a quality equipment with Gruding brand. Particularly I think a great radio to listen to shortwave, AM, FM, SSB and aircraft band. In aircraft band there are certainly some interference of commercial FM stations, easily solved leaving only two or three antenna stages stretched.
1785356
Not good at all...I'm in your typical suberb approximately 60 miles from a major city. If I hit "scan" on my radio, it will only stop at one station which is our local radio station. Even if you only listen to FM for traffic reports or whatever, it'll drive you nuts. Save the money
1783501
It is only an internet radio, meaning you can only listen to stations over the internet. Having said that, we've found that all our favorite local AM/FM stations have internet simulcasts, so that we're also able to listen to local radio.
427069
Initially thought to be useless, shortwave radio is used for long distance communication by means of skywave or skip propagation, in which the radio waves are reflected back to Earth from the ionosphere, allowing communication around the curve of the Earth. Shortwave radio is used for broadcasting of voice and music, and long-distance communication to ships and aircraft, or to remote areas out of reach of wired communication or other radio services. Additionally, it is used for two-way international communication by amateur radio enthusiasts for hobby, educational and emergency purposes.
381653
When we can pick up a signal, the sound quality is excellent. There are certain times of the day when the radio cannot pick up or hold a signal. I don't know if it's the radio or how far we are from the radio towers. We are in rural, South Central Alaska. This is the second of the radio type we have owned. The first one was definitely better at holding a signal but again, that was in Analog signal days.
1052815
This radio doesn't receive paid services like Sirus. Just AM/FM/Shortwave. Great radio though...incredible reception of weak stations from far away.
1032328
I never turn on FM radio. I sent one mp3 to my friend. I only download some songs from Chinese website. I even don't know there is FM radio with the mp3.
1878781
You can stream many international stations on the Internet these days. There's plenty of shortwave to listen to, particularly if you aren't limiting yourself to English. China has an aggressive schedule, and Spanish Foreign Radio is quite active. This particular radio is a single-conversion unit and not really anything great. If you are looking for a comprehensive answer, I suggest you spend a couple of bucks and get Ken Reitz's book "How to Listen to the World."
1419681
I am still unable to locate usb earphone for this phone. There are several misleading statements about this phone and it's features.It is not wifi and it is not push to talk capable.... Apparently, no wired usb headset is available from anyone or anywhere. The FM radio feature will not work without the usb wired earphone. So, there is no FM radio either....
998451
New technology is coming out from some sets where they do not emmit all the time. Unfortunately I do not know what to look for. These units, in many cases put out more microwave RF than cellphones. I just read up on this today.
1391472
Dear Galina: I can only guess as to why two of your favorite internet radio stations are missing. But here is my best guess. To make a particular station available that station has to stream (send) their signal up to the satellite. Perhaps for some reason the stations that you seek have stopped streaming. It happens all the time. If the receiva.com web master checks for their signal and finds it is gone thay may remove it from their list of available stations. You might want to check ocationally to see if it has come back on. It may have returned so search for it again. That happens sometimes also. I have also noticed that sometimes stations will return with a different name. I never know why they do these things but I have witnessed such many times. I hope I have been helpful.
1782811
FM reception is not too good where I live---but then, we cannot get ANY TV broadcast here and the stereo in the house gets only static. When we drive to the big city, however, the reception is quite good! Guess a lot depends on one's signal strength, eh?!
2280631
In my opinion it all depends on the distance of the radio station you want to reach. Short wave goes long ways, besides, no matter how far you are into the woods now days, there's always a station near by. For the size and price of this mini radio I think it is a very powerful one!!!
2276128
No! this unit is junk. I had it right on my, an others, and it could not pick any signals up.I am searching for one myself. If I find a good one would you like me to refer it to you?When ,I was a kid I had a radio with the head phone wire in the back. I had long hair and had the wire go up the inside of my coat sleeve up by my collar covered with my long hair. I only listened to music in class. Food for thought. Wireless headphones give off emissions also.