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Shortwave radio still packs an audible thrill
reuters ^ | 1/14/09 | Robert MacMillan

Posted on 01/16/2009 5:29:03 PM PST by mylife

So why bother with shortwave?

It's easy and cheap -- and fun. You can hear and learn things that you would never find even if you work your search engine like a mule. From Swaziland to Paris to Havana, shortwave broadcasters can surprise an adventurous listener more than any MP3 playlist.

"You tune carefully, twist the radio from side to side, and there's still a bit of a 'Hey, I made this happen!' sort of thing," said Harold Cones, retired chairman of the biology and chemistry department at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

It's also magic. Shortwave radio enthusiasts acknowledge the thrill -- the romance, in a way -- of going out at night and snaring news, music, odd bleeps, religious zealots and other broadcasts from the wild sea of frequencies in the sky.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ham; radio; shortwave
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

That Kaito has fantastic FM when you run it through some speakers.

Sounds better than my kenwood entertainment receiver, better sensitivity too


341 posted on 01/18/2009 6:25:30 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

Ok! The Basic one, reel antenna (I can rig one up) or the active loop antenna?? $75, 85 & 109 respectively...


342 posted on 01/18/2009 6:28:27 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

The active loop isnt necessary get that Par en fedz antenna

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamwire/4456.html EF10/20/40

Its a great antenna and easy to put up.

It wont work on AM (thats where a loop is nice) but it works like a hose on FM and SW

I got the loop and I just dont use it much


343 posted on 01/18/2009 6:33:43 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

Check out this jazz on 6165


344 posted on 01/18/2009 6:34:33 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

So get just the basic one at $75 then, right??


345 posted on 01/18/2009 6:38:46 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
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To: mylife

I have an analog dial, so I cannot tune perfectly...

You mean the upbeat spanish music?


346 posted on 01/18/2009 6:40:49 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

Yeah, that comes with a long wire, rechargable batterys, a power supply/charger, ear buds and a carry pouch.

It you want a decent external antenna besides the free one get that Par end fedz

It is well tuned and really drags the signals in


347 posted on 01/18/2009 6:41:52 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

No.. its germany, progessive jazz fusion 6165 kc


348 posted on 01/18/2009 6:42:55 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

SOme of the international music is interesting


349 posted on 01/18/2009 6:43:30 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

Greece plays interesting music as does Australia.

Then there is always the cool Cuban salsa


350 posted on 01/18/2009 6:45:37 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

Cannot get that station.

Thanks for the recommendation. The screen is weird with all of the numbers on it. Does it have a clock to the second??


351 posted on 01/18/2009 6:46:49 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
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To: All

Wow! 350 on a geek thread.

Good to see curious people out there.


352 posted on 01/18/2009 6:47:40 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

Yes. The Kaito has digital display and clock with 2 alarms and 256 presets

One feature I like is the display backlight. It comes on when you touch a control for like 5 seconds and then goes out to conserve battery power.

When on an AC plug the light stays on


353 posted on 01/18/2009 6:51:07 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

mylife,
Not sure what I’ll need. I ordered a small adapter that converts (I hope) the coax to a mini pin to fit my Grundig YB 400PE.

I plan to put it in the attic, as I mentioned. What else do you think I’ll need? Can I get those items at a local Radio Shack?

thanks,
ampu


354 posted on 01/18/2009 6:51:54 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion ("I've got a bracelet too, Jim")
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To: mylife

Great - ordering it!

Thanks!!


355 posted on 01/18/2009 6:52:10 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

Oh... This is Spanish... sounds like a german speaking spanish. International stuff LoL

Good music. I havent ID’ed the station yet...

It’s radio Netherlands http://www.radionetherlands.nl/

Google is my friend


356 posted on 01/18/2009 6:55:42 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

If you like it half as much as I like mine you will have a blast


357 posted on 01/18/2009 6:56:24 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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Yup the station just ID’ed its radio netherlands broadcasting in spanish


358 posted on 01/18/2009 6:57:38 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

The antenna has a PAL connector.
I used a PAL to F connector, a coax with F connectors on both ends and an F to 1/8 mini pin connector on the receiver end.

I got mine at universal radio with the antenna but you can get this at radio shack. it was like 10 bucks


359 posted on 01/18/2009 7:04:01 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Sorry, I didnt mean PAL I Meant PL259

All you need is here http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/parts/plconn.html


360 posted on 01/18/2009 7:07:08 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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