Is Shortwave Radio listening worth it today

273 · 03-02-2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonJim

Hills are not a problem for shortwave, as it uses skywave propagation - the signals bounce around in the ionosphere before getting to you - not like local AM/FM, which uses groundwave.

A good place to start for an antenna (listen only, no transmit) would be a length of wire about 30 feet long, placed outside. Higher is better. However, unless you have a downconverter, most SDR dongles won't tune down into the shortwave bands below 30MHz.

Thanks. 30ft is a long way in this cramped country but I may be able to do that -- if I did though in which direction would I lay it? I see downconverters are available and, while they're often more costly than the SDR dongles, they're not prohibitively expensive.
Apologies if this is going off topic but I hope the details may be useful to others.

OregonJim · 03-02-2016, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

Thanks. 30ft is a long way in this cramped country but I may be able to do that -- if I did though in which direction would I lay it? I see downconverters are available and, while they're often more costly than the SDR dongles, they're not prohibitively expensive.
Apologies if this is going off topic but I hope the details may be useful to others.

30ft is just a suggestion. You don't need to be exact for receiving. The longer it is, the more 'capture area' to improve the signal. Just keep it away from power lines and noise sources.

Yes, there are a several downconverters available, most seem to be in the $50 - $100 range (U.S.).

Jeebizz · 03-04-2016, 05:36 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTXBQQbOcq8

So anyone actually listened to any of those so-called 'number stations?'

If I ever come across a shortwave receiver or ham, thats the first thing I'd do, is try to find any 'number stations'

273 · 03-04-2016, 05:41 PM

I have The Conet Project recordings as part of my music collection so hear them when I use pseudorandom mode.

Jeebizz · 03-04-2016, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

I have The Conet Project recordings as part of my music collection so hear them when I use pseudorandom mode.

Fascinating.

For those who probably don't know, here is what some might sound like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0F984w4vLQ

Jeebizz · 03-04-2016, 05:49 PM

The Conet Archive

Just bizarre. Maybe not a good idea to listen to these stations before bed, they sound like crazy nightmare fuel.

273 · 03-04-2016, 05:54 PM

The Lincolnshire Poacher is a famous one, though I admit I prefer the non-English stations in general.

273 · 03-04-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeebizz

The Conet Archive

Just bizarre. Maybe not a good idea to listen to these stations before bed, they sound like crazy nightmare fuel.

I've not heard any which I thought would be disturbing to anybody who doesn't know what they are. However, MAD was part of our lives and I find it intriguing.

Jeebizz · 03-04-2016, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

I've not heard any which I thought would be disturbing to anybody who doesn't know what they are. However, MAD was part of our lives and I find it intriguing.

Well since the Cold War is over (not considering the current state of relations recently between the West and Russia); in this context number stations are just outright bizarre and just have that creep factor.

Also there are still number stations broadcasting still so... yea.

273 · 03-05-2016, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeebizz

Well since the Cold War is over (not considering the current state of relations recently between the West and Russia); in this context number stations are just outright bizarre and just have that creep factor.

Also there are still number stations broadcasting still so... yea.

They're still the easiest and most deniable way of communicating with somebody "in the field" and whilst we're not currently in a cold war I'm sure people are in place ready for any changes in situation.

BSDvsLinux · 03-05-2016, 04:08 PM

I had used both cheap and relatively expensive shortwave radios and both have static in the signals. No fancy circuitry in the expensive models don't seem to work if shortwave signals are hard to pick up. If shortwave could work like groundwave i.e a regular AM radio, shortwave would be easy to pick up and more fun to listen to.

273 · 03-05-2016, 04:22 PM

I just bought a crystal radio on Amazon because of you people! I hope you're happy!

I've a feeling I'm in a radio blackspot since even the nearby airport tower isn't clear as it ought to be. That makes me wonder whether a proper SDR would be worth it?

BSDvsLinux · 03-05-2016, 04:42 PM

@ 273

Here is a good site for shortwave schedules. It's like a TV guide for shortwave radio.
http://www.short-wave.info/

Read the instructions on the top menu for interpreting the columns.

Also, the time stamps are in 24hr format UTC. You need to know convert your time zone to UTC or vice versa.

273 · 03-05-2016, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSDvsLinux

@ 273

Here is a good site for shortwave schedules. It's like a TV guide for shortwave radio.
http://www.short-wave.info/

Read the instructions on the top menu for interpreting the columns.

Also, the time stamps are in 24hr format UTC. You need to know convert your time zone to UTC or vice versa.

Thanks for that. Still trying to get my antenna working.
Edit: I forgot, I'm lucky to be at GMT as I type, BST is some idiot's idea.

BSDvsLinux · 03-05-2016, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

Thanks for that. Still trying to get my antenna working.
Edit: I forgot, I'm lucky to be at GMT as I type, BST is some idiot's idea.

I hope your luck is better than mine