I just bought a short wave radio at radio shack...it was regular 249.00 & I got it on sale for 199.00. I would appreciate any info on using it. If I go by the directions I may figure it out by year 2000.LoL It is complicated. My daughter is in Ramstein Germany at the AFB.I want to make sure I know what is going on overseas if it does get bad.She is supposed to come home for Christmas & her father in laws retirement party,but I'm afraid she won't make it. Any Hams out there???

-- Carol Ann (JCclass69@aol.com), March 20, 1999

Answers

There are many books put out that give the times and freqs. of all the shortwave stations in the world. World Radio Handbook is a good one. Radio shack has a good one also.

-- SCOTTY (BLehman202@aol.com), March 20, 1999.

Lots of hams here on the forum, Carol Ann. One good source of news from overseas is England's BBC World Service. Since your daughter's in Germany, listening to the English-language broadcasts of Deutsche-Welle (Germany's shortwave outlet) might be in order also. Frequencies change with the seasons. Get to a major bookstore or periodicals dealer and pick up a copy of Monitoring Times magazine - they have a section on English-language broadcasts from all over the world.

Best of luck with your new radio.

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 20, 1999.

Try this link: Monitoring times and Grove Shortwave

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 20, 1999.

As I have said before I can atest to the Grove Publication, have been a paying client from 1984, Good "TV Guide" like section on English broadcasts to the US. I have usually been able to work these "links";> However, if the SHTF the "normal" broadcast sheadual is out the door, so practice just tuning up an down the dial, learn what to expect in the MUF and LUF (Maxium and Lowest Usable Freg) for a given time of year and time of day (and solar cycle) and LISTEN, it is a lot of fun just getting catches....

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), March 20, 1999.

The Shortwave Listening Guide that you find in book form at Radio Shack stores is also available in part at:

http://www.anarc.org/naswa/swlguide/

You fill out the on-line form, and find out what's on the air at any time you choose.

Happy Listening!

LP

-- LP (soldog@hotmail.com), March 21, 1999.

Get a *lot* of wire for the antenna and stretch it out nice and long. I put some SWL tips in a WRP from about a year ago.

Basicly you want at least 30 feet of wire, 60 or 100 is even better, stretched out straight and at least 15 feet above the ground. Don't attempt to receive foreign brodcasts on a whip antenna. It will work but you will only get the few super strength stations.

If you have SSB receive, you'll be able to listen in on the hams too.

-- ah6gi/3 (ah6gi@cory.com), March 22, 1999.