Shortwave is actually experiencing a resurgence. It's strange but true, so
what do we base our findings on?

Mainly on the research carried out by the Mighty Merlin Communications, they
that operate transmitters across the World on behalf of the BBC. This is
what they had to say:

"Shortwave radio listeners are growing globally, with shortwave penetration
at its highest in the developing countries. That is not to say that
shortwave is not having an impact in the Western world. Recent surveys
revealed that 97% of regular business travellers listened to international
shortwave." This increase in the shortwave audience, according to Merlin, is
"spelt out dramatically by just one factory in China that is frantically
producing 300,000 shortwave radio sets per month just to support demand.
Grundig in America report growth each year on their sales of shortwave
receivers. There are at least 600 million shortwave radio sets worldwide."

In France, according to a Merlin survey, 70% of households with radio have
access to shortwave. In Slovakia, the figure is 77%. "What is most
interesting," according to Merlin, "is the growth over the last 10 years in
shortwave usage by business travellers, diplomats, aid workers and others
who move about the world as a result of their jobs.

This change has occurred because of the portability of new sets and the
simplicity of their use. Modern synthesized sets, which have the facility of
actually entering the precise frequency number, made shortwave easy for
everyone.

People learned to pre-tune their sets, forgetting about kHz, MHz and
wavebands. The new sets went in pockets, handbags and briefcases. Now sets
weigh as little as 220 grams and are easily available and affordable."

Teledifusion de France, which operates Radio France International's
extensive shortwave transmitter network,
says that "an estimated 2.5 billion people tune in to programmes broadcast
on shortwave, and about a billion receivers pick up shortwave transmissions.
At any given moment, over 200 million receivers are tuned in to shortwave
broadcasts.

Shortwave remains the only means of reaching a broad audience anywhere in
the world, via a simple portable radio that can be bought for around $25.
Listeners include expatriates, business travellers, tourists, or simply
people who want to hear programmes in a language other than their own or who
want to open a new window on the world.

It doesn't matter where you are in the World, with shortwave you can always
be in touch with Europa Radio International and you can't do that with the
Internet or Sky satellite can you? There's always someone who will want to
use the PC or watch the latest episode of the Simpsons. So get yourself a
decent receiver, preferably with digital readout, check out our front page
for the next transmission dates and times and come over and join us, there's
a whole New World to explore.

Write to us c/o PO Box 299, Kent CT5 2YA, UK
E-mail to

http://www.europaradiointernational.co.uk/shortwave.htm