On Mar 31, 6:36 pm, "Mark F." wrote:
Is short wave worth listing to?
I bought a little radio to listen to at night and it is nothing like when I
was a kid.

--
I didn't know BMW made cars until I passed one.

Dear Mark,

Please note that we are now at the "bottom" of the eleven-year sunspot
cycle so shortwave reception is at its "worst." Of course, that does
not mean that there isn't much to hear! There are plenty of exotic
stations and many, many interesting programs in addition to news of a
quality that one can only rarely find on US stations. What the
"bottom" of the sunspot cycle does mean is that it is now more
challenging to hear overseas stations but it can be done if you know
what you're doing and have patience. Last night at midnight ET (0400
UTC), for example, on my Sony ICF-SW7600GR receiver/Sony AN-LP1
antenna, I was able to clearly hear Radio Australia (15515 kHz) and
Radio New Zealand International (13730 kHz). At other times of the day
Voice of Vietnam, China (both via Canada relay), Cuba, Israel, Iran,
Sweden, India, Thailand (Delano relay), BBC, Deutsche Welle, and many
more countries can be heard as well.

Buy the new WRTH and the new PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIO (less than
$40.00 total for both from Amazon) and you will see what is available
for you to hear.

The sunspot count will improve, probably starting next year, and we
should reach the "top" (when reception conditions are "best") around
the year 2010 or 2011. Always remember, though, that shortwave radio
signals can be heard no matter what the condition of the sunspot
cycle. Listening becomes "easier" as they increase and more
"difficult" when they lessen, but the signals are still there.

Best,

Joe

P.S. I might mention that while you do not necessarily need an
expensive radio to hear all these broadcasts, a better radio and,
especially, a better antenna always help in both ease and quality of
reception.