Very useful video. I've just resumed listening to S/W after a 30 year gap. A few things surprised me, firstly how many countries have ceased to broadcast which is a pity. Secondly how the Chinese seem to have hugely increased their presence on s/w radio. Listening to s/w is one of the few activities that is independent of the internet, I like that fact very much indeed.
Remember the good ol WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook). I had a 1960 and 1970 edition (I wish I kept it...). Back then, there was no internet. Everything was old school. My first receiver was a Yaesu FR-101D. It was a great receiver! Got plenty of QSL cards, Aloha!
Thank you so much. Yesterday I bought my very first radio (an Xhdata D-808) and I presented the documentation to the designate Ministry of my country for my SWL certification (not mandatory anymore, in Italy but wanted to make it official and pay the small tax that comes with it) and thanks to your video I experienced my very first conscious listening. Thank you so much! At 11:40UTC (13:40 local time in Italy) I was able to find the China Radio International at 5200km from home :)subscribed right away! Love from Italy.
Great info...I am quite new ..just got an Xhdata 808...very impressed so far...anyway been looking for exactly what you discuss here...thank you so much....all the best from the UK.
It's worth to point out, that different stations can transmit in different languages from different countries. eg. China Radio International from Bulgaria in English. Sometimes it's more covert like Radio Ejani. Also, there might be a lot of national propaganda whatever station you listen, so don't treat SW/MW/LW broadcast as reliable source of information. I noticed that many people have a bit naive approach to this problem.
Compared to SW listening as recently as the 1980's or early 1990's, before the Internet was World wide, SW has nearly died! Oh yes, you have "Ham" stations, and lots of local or regional broadcasting. Asia, Africa, and South America mostly. But broadcasting in ENGLISH from multiple foreign countries? IT'S PRACTICALLY ALL GONE ! Radio Moscow? Radio Netherlands? Radio Sweden? Etc. I used to listen to THE WORLD with a small portable receiver from Radio Shack and a length of common "Bell wire" strung up, out the window, hung off a tree limb! 😢 Sadly, with so many powerful forces in government activity suppressing News and information. And controlling what information your even allowed access to, WE NEED THOSE HONEST INTERNATIONAL broadcasters now, more then ever! There is a group here in the USA that is raising money for a 100,000 watt Transmitter, and multiple antenna complex! Just to get THE TRUTH out to every ordinary Citizen! I pray they can succeed 🙏 and get it up and running soon! We need it!
And if shortwave getting sparce saddened you now they saying they going to shut down AM because electric cars can use AM due to interference so the new car radio don't have AM anymore.
In terms of reception quality, are these DIGITAL radios better than the old style analog radios? Getting back to the SWL scene after decades, I am so lost.., is there a place where I could info on what bandwidth I should be looking at while buying a radio?
❤ My “NOT -A-SCRATCH’ Tucson PL-990x will not tune stations, except on FM. I suspect it got dropped, but no one admits to it. If I wiggle the tuning knob on AM, sometimes it will catch the station. Shortwave has the same problem as AM. Where to get this repaired? I love this radio. I tried Anon and they suggest contacting Tucson, which has’t replied? Thanks
I tried 6070 on my Tecsun pl660 and all I got was static. This is using 25' of speaker wire running to a tree at 8pm CST. So why do I just get static? The radio doesn't seem to pick up anything except FM and AM.
Difficult to understand the broadcast with so much interference. I just got one mostly to practice with SSB ham as I study for HAM exam and experiment with antenna designs
I bought one and literally only received one station (at night) and it was so noisy...static I couldn't understand anything even on the one station I could tune into. I bought a Tecsun PL-880. Sending it back.
Do not buy this model of radio unless it has a switch that allows for single side band, SSB upper or lower, kind of switch on it. If you do not have SSB active, which is different from AM and FM, then you will not hear ham radio man speaking.
I'm a radio amateur and listened to SW broadcast radio for years. I don't find it worthwhile to trawl the broadcast bands anymore because there just isn't much to listen to.
Not at all, I listened to VOA, Turkey, Romania, BBC, Radio Prague, Slovakia a few DX shows some amateur radio stations and many utilities decoded with some apps. I don't call that dead... I also heard Brazil, Cuba, Vatican radio and New Zealand
Very useful video. I've just resumed listening to S/W after a 30 year gap. A few things surprised me, firstly how many countries have ceased to broadcast which is a pity. Secondly how the Chinese seem to have hugely increased their presence on s/w radio. Listening to s/w is one of the few activities that is independent of the internet, I like that fact very much indeed.
Yep. The HF world has certainly changed! Glad your getting back in the swing of things.
This! As a gen Z it's nice to have a new hobby that you don't need to constantly be online for.
I use this really regularly. This and EIBI are both really great sources. These internet services among others actually help me in my SWL hobby.
Thank you, just got the app and in just time for a weekend away with my PL 330.
Remember the good ol WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook). I had a 1960 and 1970 edition (I wish I kept it...). Back then, there was no internet. Everything was old school. My first receiver was a Yaesu FR-101D. It was a great receiver! Got plenty of QSL cards, Aloha!
Thank you so much. Yesterday I bought my very first radio (an Xhdata D-808) and I presented the documentation to the designate Ministry of my country for my SWL certification (not mandatory anymore, in Italy but wanted to make it official and pay the small tax that comes with it) and thanks to your video I experienced my very first conscious listening. Thank you so much! At 11:40UTC (13:40 local time in Italy) I was able to find the China Radio International at 5200km from home :)subscribed right away! Love from Italy.
It’s harder to NOT find China Radio International!
really appreciate your teaching, Gilles. Many years following you sharing your knowledge I had never said thank you 👍
I needed this..
Do more for the beginner
Great info...I am quite new ..just got an Xhdata 808...very impressed so far...anyway been looking for exactly what you discuss here...thank you so much....all the best from the UK.
Thanks for posting. The information is very useful and greatly appreciated!
Thank you for the info on where to go for looking up different stations
Thank you Giles… This information is much appreciated
Channel 292 often broadcasts in English as it's a station that people can 'rent' the timeslots on by booking time for their radio shows.
Excellent. I'm going to be getting my first radio this week and this information will be very helpful. Thanks!
Much appreciated vid. Keep em rolling.
Very helpful, thank you
Always great content.
Excellent tutorial!
Super great video!!!! Great information....best on the Net for this topic!!!🎄🎇🎇
It's worth to point out, that different stations can transmit in different languages from different countries. eg. China Radio International from Bulgaria in English. Sometimes it's more covert like Radio Ejani. Also, there might be a lot of national propaganda whatever station you listen, so don't treat SW/MW/LW broadcast as reliable source of information. I noticed that many people have a bit naive approach to this problem.
Compared to SW listening as recently as the 1980's or early 1990's, before the Internet was World wide, SW has nearly died!
Oh yes, you have "Ham" stations, and lots of local or regional broadcasting. Asia, Africa, and South America mostly.
But broadcasting in ENGLISH from multiple foreign countries? IT'S PRACTICALLY ALL GONE !
Radio Moscow? Radio Netherlands? Radio Sweden? Etc. I used to listen to THE WORLD with a small portable receiver from Radio Shack and a length of common "Bell wire" strung up, out the window, hung off a tree limb! 😢
Sadly, with so many powerful forces in government activity suppressing News and information. And controlling what information your even allowed access to, WE NEED THOSE HONEST INTERNATIONAL broadcasters now, more then ever!
There is a group here in the USA that is raising money for a 100,000 watt Transmitter, and multiple antenna complex! Just to get THE TRUTH out to every ordinary Citizen!
I pray they can succeed 🙏 and get it up and running soon! We need it!
excellent tips, thanks!
What are you using for an antenna?
Very helpful thankyou
Are you using an external antenna 📡? If so, what type?
And if shortwave getting sparce saddened you now they saying they going to shut down AM because electric cars can use AM due to interference so the new car radio don't have AM anymore.
My EV still receiving AM in US. Of course the shark fin antenna makes it much harder.
My brand new 2024 toyota, has AM radio. Its a tesla thing, that wants to impose a new trend.
Excellent advice.
I never knew about this thing that you're using
In terms of reception quality, are these DIGITAL radios better than the old style analog radios?
Getting back to the SWL scene after decades, I am so lost.., is there a place where I could info on what bandwidth I should be looking at while buying a radio?
❤ My “NOT -A-SCRATCH’ Tucson PL-990x will not tune stations, except on FM. I suspect it got dropped, but no one admits to it. If I wiggle the tuning knob on AM, sometimes it will catch the station. Shortwave has the same problem as AM. Where to get this repaired? I love this radio.
I tried Anon and they suggest contacting Tucson, which has’t replied?
Thanks
Were are you from ?
Thanks for the advice! It’s very useful.
What model number radio is this? I’m looking at a Tecsun h501 for $329.00 USD.
Recently got a PL880 and I am very happy with it. Costs less than $200
What is a good portable shortwave radio.
How do you find some rogue transmitter like Woody Harrelson in 2012?
Great info!
Thank you!
What if you know only the approximate frequency by looking at the dial?
Helpful! Thank you!
I tried 6070 on my Tecsun pl660 and all I got was static. This is using 25' of speaker wire running to a tree at 8pm CST. So why do I just get static? The radio doesn't seem to pick up anything except FM and AM.
Shortwave radios will someday have the ability to display the translation on the screen.
Awesome...Thank you!
Sweet radio...
Difficult to understand the broadcast with so much interference. I just got one mostly to practice with SSB ham as I study for HAM exam and experiment with antenna designs
I bought one and literally only received one station (at night) and it was so noisy...static I couldn't understand anything even on the one station I could tune into. I bought a Tecsun PL-880. Sending it back.
Not a problem with the radio, you have too much noise in your home, go outside at a park ..you will hear dozens and dozens of stations
Good stuff. Thanks!
Over a time you can even learn to recognize Chinese accent in languages you don't know. Although they use native speakers too.
Good 👍 post
What Facebook group?
PL-990X is a good one. What is someone doesn't have that much money to buy like it?
Do not buy this model of radio unless it has a switch that allows for single side band, SSB upper or lower, kind of switch on it. If you do not have SSB active, which is different from AM and FM, then you will not hear ham radio man speaking.
I'm a radio amateur and listened to SW broadcast radio for years.
I don't find it worthwhile to trawl the broadcast bands anymore because there just isn't much to listen to.
There are tons to listen to, you should go to a place where there is no RFI and you would see all that is out there
Sadly, isn't SW almost dead?
Not at all, I listened to VOA, Turkey, Romania, BBC, Radio Prague, Slovakia a few DX shows some amateur radio stations and many utilities decoded with some apps. I don't call that dead... I also heard Brazil, Cuba, Vatican radio and New Zealand
You need an intensive training course and a technical brain to operate this level of complexity. No thank you.