Portable SW receiver for Cuba trip
 

I'm taking a LEGAL trip to Cuba in a couple of months. I assume I can
get CNN World Service on the hotel's TV, but I would like to carry
along a very portable shortwave receiver to pickup English news
broadcasts when I'm out and about.

I've looked at some reviews, but the tiny, new (and not reviewed -
that I can find) Kaito KA-105 seems like it would fit the bill.

Other suggestions? Stations (frequencies and times) most likely of
use?

Thanks.

"Lew" wrote...
I'm taking a LEGAL trip to Cuba in a couple of months. I assume I can
get CNN World Service on the hotel's TV, but I would like to carry
along a very portable shortwave receiver to pickup English news
broadcasts when I'm out and about.

I've looked at some reviews, but the tiny, new (and not reviewed -
that I can find) Kaito KA-105 seems like it would fit the bill.

Other suggestions? Stations (frequencies and times) most likely of
use?

Thanks.

Hi Lew,

I just ordered a KA105 from Kaito's website
http://www.kaitousa.com/KA105.htm

There are no reviews that I can find either, but
I took a chance, and Walter (kaitosales at earthlink dot net)
said if I'm not satisfied I can send it back with no restocking fee.

I should have it next week sometime.

For frequencies and times I think you'd do OK if you
got Monitoring Times magazine's issue that coincides
with your trip... going it March? Get the March issue.
They come out around the last day of each month in
bookstores (or did) and I get my subscription issue during
the last week of each month.

Also, Passport To World Band Radio 2004 would come
in handy. Amazon.com has it for about $17 US.

I listen to BBC from Antigua on 15190 kHz everyday.
I'd say you have a good shot of hearing a lot of stuff
targeted at the Americas... which you can find easily
in Monitoring Times. The real experts here will undoubtedly
have more specific suggestions.

Please post again and let us know what radio you got and when
your trip is. And when you get back be sure to let us know
how it went and what you heard.

Best wishes.

Jwin JX -m14;
-Picks up all frequencies & has a digital readout;

if it gets stolen , your only out $15 or so,...


In article ,
(Lew) writes:

n 2004 14:25:29 -0800

I'm taking a LEGAL trip to Cuba in a couple of months. I assume I can
get CNN World Service on the hotel's TV, but I would like to carry
along a very portable shortwave receiver to pickup English news
broadcasts when I'm out and about.

I've looked at some reviews, but the tiny, new (and not reviewed -
that I can find) Kaito KA-105 seems like it would fit the bill.

Other suggestions? Stations (frequencies and times) most likely of
use?

Thanks.

What does the cuban government think about short wave radios ?
V
"Diverd4777" wrote in message
...

Jwin JX -m14;
-Picks up all frequencies & has a digital readout;

if it gets stolen , your only out $15 or so,...


In article ,
(Lew) writes:

n 2004 14:25:29 -0800

I'm taking a LEGAL trip to Cuba in a couple of months. I assume I can
get CNN World Service on the hotel's TV, but I would like to carry
along a very portable shortwave receiver to pickup English news
broadcasts when I'm out and about.

I've looked at some reviews, but the tiny, new (and not reviewed -
that I can find) Kaito KA-105 seems like it would fit the bill.

Other suggestions? Stations (frequencies and times) most likely of
use?

Thanks.

In article k.net, "Maximus"
writes:


What does the cuban government think about short wave radios ?
V

- I think they like it;
- Always broadcasting the Wolds Dullest Newscast to The U.S.;
- But if your in Cuba, there's probably less RF, so you can pick up Al Sorts of
stuff
- But from my point of view,

it's a very worthwhile SCUBA diving destination;
( Now if it were only Cheap & Legal...)

"Diverd4777" wrote in message
...
In article k.net,
"Maximus"
writes:


What does the cuban government think about short wave radios ?
V

- I think they like it;
- Always broadcasting the Wolds Dullest Newscast to The U.S.;
- But if your in Cuba, there's probably less RF, so you can pick up Al
Sorts of
stuff

I do not know about present times, but up until a few years ago, tourists
could not bring SW radios into Cuba. The government saw them as possible
subversive hand-ons to local residents, who could then hear the truth.

The cubans love to jam :)
V "David Eduardo" wrote in message
m...

"Diverd4777" wrote in message
...
In article k.net,
"Maximus"
writes:


What does the cuban government think about short wave radios ?
V

- I think they like it;
- Always broadcasting the Wolds Dullest Newscast to The U.S.;
- But if your in Cuba, there's probably less RF, so you can pick up Al
Sorts of
stuff

I do not know about present times, but up until a few years ago, tourists
could not bring SW radios into Cuba. The government saw them as possible
subversive hand-ons to local residents, who could then hear the truth.

If I was going to Cuba, I would buy
a $100 worth of cheap SW radios and
then give the radios to Cubans during
my visit.

Tom Welch

"David Eduardo" wrote in message om...
"Diverd4777" wrote in message
...
In article k.net,
"Maximus"
writes:


What does the cuban government think about short wave radios ?
V

- I think they like it;
- Always broadcasting the Wolds Dullest Newscast to The U.S.;
- But if your in Cuba, there's probably less RF, so you can pick up Al
Sorts of
stuff

I do not know about present times, but up until a few years ago, tourists
could not bring SW radios into Cuba. The government saw them as possible
subversive hand-ons to local residents, who could then hear the truth.

Plus, Cuba operates a number station that transmits to the USA nightly.

In article ,
RedOctober90 wrote:
"David Eduardo" wrote in message
om...
"Diverd4777" wrote in message
...
In article k.net,
"Maximus"
writes:


What does the cuban government think about short wave radios ?
V

- I think they like it;
- Always broadcasting the Wolds Dullest Newscast to The U.S.;
- But if your in Cuba, there's probably less RF, so you can pick up Al
Sorts of
stuff

I do not know about present times, but up until a few years ago, tourists
could not bring SW radios into Cuba. The government saw them as possible
subversive hand-ons to local residents, who could then hear the truth.

Plus, Cuba operates a number station that transmits to the USA nightly.


Donating the radio to someone as you leave is a nice idea,
but don't be insulted if they decline.

Check with your State Dept (or whatever it's called in your country)
for restriction about bringing things into Cuba.

--
Al Dykes
-----------

In article k.net,
says...
For frequencies and times I think you'd do OK if you
got Monitoring Times magazine's issue that coincides
with your trip... going it March? Get the March issue.
They come out around the last day of each month in
bookstores (or did) and I get my subscription issue during
the last week of each month.

If you subscribe to the electronic version (MT Express, the whole
magazine in Adobe Acrobat PDF format), you can download each issue on
the 20th of the month prior to the publishing date (i.e., the March
issue will be available on February 20th). Print out what you want to
have in hardcopy and read the rest on your PC. Works nicely for me.

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
Email:

In article ,
says...
If I was going to Cuba, I would buy
a $100 worth of cheap SW radios and
then give the radios to Cubans during
my visit.

Which is exactly why the Cuban government gets paranoid about shortwave
radios. You can probably slide through with one small radio, but if
they catch you with a whole bunch of them it's pretty obvious what you
plan to do with them, and they'll all get confiscated...!

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
Email:

Me too. I work in the arctic 2 weeks every month and I download it from
there. It takes a while on a phone line but I do it overnight.


"Steve Silverwood" wrote in message
t...
In article k.net,
says...
For frequencies and times I think you'd do OK if you
got Monitoring Times magazine's issue that coincides
with your trip... going it March? Get the March issue.
They come out around the last day of each month in
bookstores (or did) and I get my subscription issue during
the last week of each month.

If you subscribe to the electronic version (MT Express, the whole
magazine in Adobe Acrobat PDF format), you can download each issue on
the 20th of the month prior to the publishing date (i.e., the March
issue will be available on February 20th). Print out what you want to
have in hardcopy and read the rest on your PC. Works nicely for me.

--

-- //Steve//

Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
Email:

When I went to Cuba in 1989, I took a small analogue Sangean radio
with me. I had no problems clearing Customs in the Havana airport.
They opened my suitcase in front of me, checked around for anything
suspicious and waved me through.

We stayed at the Hotel Deuville on the malecon in Havana for a week.
This was a time when the Soviets where still on the island. In fact, I
met one Russian soldier who wanted to practice his English with me and
he had a Soviet-made radio with him to pick up Radio Moscow. As I
recall, I didn't do much listening during the time I was there.

Don't forget to visit Radio Havana Cuba while there. It's located
inside the Radio Progreso building downtown.

FO&A,

QUESTION: Anyone Know "IF" It Is Legal ?
For a Cuban 'citizen' to Listen to Foreign Shortwave Radio Broadcasts ?
? Or, is this a 'considered' Counter-Revolutionary Activity ?


FWIW: A "Item" for 'personal use' usually is not Restricted:

Translation: One "Each" Only for Personal Use [.] Things like
a Camera, Video Camera, AM/FM/SW Radio, Tape Recorder, Bible
and a Bottle of Booze.

NOTE: Bring in any one item in multiple numbers; and you may
be suspected for commercial activity. You will be asked for
an Export Document from your 'country of origin' to the host
country. This usually results in "All-but-One" Item being
confiscated. (Until the Proper Paper Work is Completed.)


jm2cw ~ RHF
..
..
= = = Steve Silverwood
= = = wrote in message et...
In article ,
says...
If I was going to Cuba, I would buy
a $100 worth of cheap SW radios and
then give the radios to Cubans during
my visit.

Which is exactly why the Cuban government gets paranoid about shortwave
radios. You can probably slide through with one small radio, but if
they catch you with a whole bunch of them it's pretty obvious what you
plan to do with them, and they'll all get confiscated...!

..