Here is a little Shortwave Radio Histroy for Newbie Shortwave
Radio Listeners (SWLs) :

The "WPE" Monitor Registration Program -by- John Herkimer
http://www181.pair.com/otsw/WPE.html
http://www.w8pgw.org/node/386
-source- "On the Shortwaves"
http://www181.pair.com/otsw/index.html

NOTE - The ``WPE`` Program was Created by Popular Electronic`s
Magazine in the 1950`s for Short Wave Radio Listener`s.

Were You a Popular Electronics Short-Wave Monitor ?
http://www.k4eq.com/wpe.html
-source- K4ED.Com Dale Holloway [K4ED]
http://www.k4eq.com/

Are You an Official Shortwave Monitor ?
http://bobsamerica.com/wpe.html
-source- Bob's America -by- Robert W. Betts [N1KPR]
http://bobsamerica.com/

Were You a "WPE" ? -by- Joe Tyburczy [W1GFH/6]
http://www.qsl.net/wb1gfh/swl.html
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2002/01/19/1/?nc=1
-source- QSL.Net
http://www.qsl.net/

Another-Great-Idea : So you think 'need' your very own Shortwave
Radio Listener's Monitor Number then Build Your Own {DIY} :

SWL -Dash- Zip Code -Dash- Your Three Initials
-example- SWL-95383-RHF

-only-got- Two Intitials then put a "*" between the First and Last
-example- SWL-94601-R*F

radio it about listening - iane ~ RHF {pomkia}