Atlas wrote...
Why use a SW radio? What uses are they for the average person?

Basically I listen for these reasons...

To get a different persepective on news...
yes, N8KDV is right... much of what I
hear is socialist spin and anti-American.
Radio Havana comes to mind :-)

To hear music and information programs
from different cultures. Radio Bulgaria
plays incredible music. India, Japan and the middle
eastern countries too... and even Radio Havana
has great music programs.

To catch a pirate broadcast on occasion.
Illegal transmissions comprised of sometimes
very innovative programming and satire. And
sometimes just sophomoric drivel.

To hunt for faint signals and eventually identify
them... I'd guess this is much the same thrill
birdwatchers get when they see a bird they've
never seen before.

To me it's fun and exhilarating.