Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 401-406 next last
To: AlexW; bikerman; Blue_Spark; bitterohiogunclinger; Bobalu; buccaneer81; camerakid400; ...
thanks and sorry for any dupes


81 posted on 01/16/2009 6:44:32 PM PST by steveo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LiveFreeOrDie2001

All of Dad’s equipment was Army surplus stuff that he refurbed and nursed. What a mess!

During the ‘65 floods, he was on the air for three or four days at a crack, living on Hills Brothers coffee and Lucky Strikes.

A local paper did a story on his expolits. I’m going to have to go look through the boxes and find the clippings....


82 posted on 01/16/2009 6:45:50 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (FR......Monthly Donors Wanted)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: seatrout
Now, the bands seem empty, even at night; much of the programming, at least in English, is of the evangelical Christian persuasion, and the signals are weak. Internet radio may be the next best thing; it’s big in Europe, and the reception is always great, so long as your WiFi is good.

But where's the sport in that?

For me, shortwave was my fishing, nothing like getting that "catch" of that rare station.

83 posted on 01/16/2009 6:46:33 PM PST by dfwgator (1996 2006 2008 - Good Things Come in Threes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

I listened intently during the Bejing Olympics.

The Free Tibet thing was very interesting.

There is interesting stuff happening on radio Ukraine and Voice of Russia now over the gas pipeline dispute


84 posted on 01/16/2009 6:46:41 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: printhead

Keep that radio handy! and a deployable antenna


85 posted on 01/16/2009 6:48:51 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

Isnt that part of Family Harvest Radio?


86 posted on 01/16/2009 6:51:06 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: Big Giant Head; Big Giant Air Head

Shortwave SHTF Ping. :)


87 posted on 01/16/2009 6:51:52 PM PST by Marie Antoinette (Proud Clinton-hater since 1998.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: ButThreeLeftsDo

What awesome memorys and God Bless you Dad for towing the line


88 posted on 01/16/2009 6:52:50 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: steveo

This is a neat thread.

Thanks for the ping steveo.


89 posted on 01/16/2009 6:54:16 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: Marie Antoinette

Please add me to all SHTF Pings! :-)


90 posted on 01/16/2009 6:54:49 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies]

To: mylife

Only now do I realize what a great man he was.....


91 posted on 01/16/2009 6:55:49 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (FR......Monthly Donors Wanted)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: mylife

Wow, that article mentioned Ian McFarland from Radio Canada International, now there’s a name I remember from the past.


92 posted on 01/16/2009 6:56:00 PM PST by dfwgator (1996 2006 2008 - Good Things Come in Threes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cindy

Hi Cindy,

Nice to hear from you. Yes, great thread!


93 posted on 01/16/2009 6:57:39 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: ButThreeLeftsDo

A tip of the hat for yer Pop..


94 posted on 01/16/2009 6:59:10 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: mylife
Heh heh heh


95 posted on 01/16/2009 6:59:59 PM PST by Professional Engineer (You don't know the power of the Dork Side. | Can he lead a normal life? No, he?ll be an engineer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mylife

‘preciate it....


96 posted on 01/16/2009 7:01:41 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (FR......Monthly Donors Wanted)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: Professional Engineer

Thats great!

I do enjoy Arnie Coro L0L

He is a sharp guy, and resourceful, Amigo.


97 posted on 01/16/2009 7:02:47 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies]

To: ButThreeLeftsDo

You got mail...


98 posted on 01/16/2009 7:03:14 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: mylife

Anyone know if Art Bell is still on SW...?


99 posted on 01/16/2009 7:04:17 PM PST by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Keep plenty of food and batteries on hand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: mylife

Nothing says lonely white male loser more than a short wave radio license.


100 posted on 01/16/2009 7:06:26 PM PST by Kirkwood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 401-406 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson