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-   -   Is shortwave a good alternative to cable TV? (https://www.radiobanter.com/shortwave/40594-shortwave-good-alternative-cable-tv.html)

Frank Dresser February 11th 04 06:40 PM


wrote in message
...
Im thinking of dumping my cable TV. That will leave me with only two
local TV stations to get via an antenna.

Im considering buying a shortwave receiver that I can listen to while
doing things around the house.



Shortwave demands more listener involvement than standard AM and FM
broadcasting. The transmission schedules are shorter and the reception
isn't as depandable. Listeners have to retune their radios more
frequently.

Broadcast AM and FM and recorded music are more reliable sources for
entertainment.


Is there interesting programming available via shortwave?



Depends what's meant by interesting. There aren't any sitcoms like TV.
There's not much music like broadcast radio. International broadcast
stations oftentimes discuss world news and events and what wonderful
tourist attractions are to be found in their countries.

Most domestic US shortwave stations are dominated by low cost brokered
programming. Conspiracy theorists, evangalists, sellers of vital
doomsday supplies such as gold, water filters, and nostrums.

If you enjoyed the X-Files, you may enjoy domestic shortwave radio.


Is my idea
sound? What good receivers are worth looking at?



Don't spend alot on your first SW radio. Buy a good radio when you're
sure you'll enjoy the hobby.

Frank Dresser



[email protected] February 11th 04 06:49 PM

On 11 Feb 2004 17:48:47 GMT, (Chandler7600)
wrote:

YES! there is good programming to listen to on Shortwave;
Mostly ( IMHO) afternoon & night...


OK...but like what? What type of stuff is on? Is it sort of like
the WWII radio era in America? Lost of radio talk shows.... radio
drama? Like old time radio was in USA?

- Whats your Budget..?? How much can you spend to try it out..


Under $100? Don't wanna spend much until I see if the idea is
feasible.

N8KDV February 11th 04 06:54 PM



wrote:

On 11 Feb 2004 17:48:47 GMT,
(Chandler7600)
wrote:

YES! there is good programming to listen to on Shortwave;
Mostly ( IMHO) afternoon & night...


OK...but like what? What type of stuff is on? Is it sort of like
the WWII radio era in America? Lost of radio talk shows.... radio
drama? Like old time radio was in USA?

- Whats your Budget..?? How much can you spend to try it out..


Under $100? Don't wanna spend much until I see if the idea is
feasible.


Sounds to me like you may be more interested in one of those XM or
Sirius radios. (Radio via Satelite)

Steve
Holland, MI
Drake R7, R8 and R8B

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm



[email protected] February 11th 04 07:37 PM

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 13:54:04 -0500, N8KDV
wrote:

Sounds to me like you may be more interested in one of those XM or
Sirius radios. (Radio via Satelite)


No....Im looking for something that doesn't cost.....thats why Im
dumping cable TV.....trying to cut expenses

Gary February 11th 04 07:49 PM

wrote in message . ..
Im thinking of dumping my cable TV. That will leave me with only two
local TV stations to get via an antenna.

Im considering buying a shortwave receiver that I can listen to while
doing things around the house.

Is there interesting programming available via shortwave? Is my idea
sound? What good receivers are worth looking at?


Well, your idea is sound allright - all sound and no picture!

There is interesting programming available via shortwave, but
reception varies throughout the day and night as well as the seasons.
Before dumping cable tv, get a shortwave receiver and see if you are
happy with it. Another alternative is satellite - not the small dish,
but the large C-band dish. There's a lot of free programming out
there. Even the small dish, i.e. Dish Network, is better than cable.
Also, with digital television now a reality, reception of many more
channels might be available with a high definition tv and tuner. I
have read that up in the mountains about 30 or 40 miles from me, where
tv reception has been impossible all these years, they now get great
reception from several digital over-the-air high definition stations,
some quite far away.

Maximus February 11th 04 08:09 PM

My two cents worth s. Yes. The problem is that you cannot guarantee
reception or that the signal will be intelligible - that is up to Mother
Nature. Many major broadcasters are in countries that used to have colonies,
and they broadcast to those former colonies with news and features of
interest to them, and we can hear some of those transmissions evenif they
are not beamed directly at us. France, Holland, Germany, Spain, Portugal all
broadcast in myriads of languages to their former colonies or even to area
of the US or other places where they may have citizens listening. Our own
Voice of America has news that you may not hear about on the PM TV news,
even if it is their own propoganda g. Whether you can understand the
language of a particular broadcast, you can certainly enjoy a variety of
good music. I like Radio New Zealand International of late 9.870 09:00 PST
(17:00 UTC), and Radio Nacional Da Amazonia has good music 11.780 late
afternoons. Maximus


"Chandler7600" wrote in message
...
YES! there is good programming to listen to on Shortwave;
Mostly ( IMHO) afternoon & night...

- Whats your Budget..?? How much can you spend to try it out..



Subject: Is shortwave a good alternative to cable TV?
From:
Date: 2/11/2004 11:34 AM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id:

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:21:05 -0800, "Tom Sevart"
wrote:

He might miss those wonderful late-night infomercials, though... I mean,
where else can you learn to make millions by placing classified ads or
buying real estate? You know, if those things really work, why don't

they
make money that way instead of trying to sell the idea to everyone else?


So is there some good programming available to listen to on shortwave?







Chandler7600 February 11th 04 08:14 PM


Hey Me6...

- Looky here !

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/1101.html

Double reduction Shortwave Radio fer $ 100
Digital, 50 memories; Good reviews at
www.radiointel.com

Hook it up to Headphones & a 30 foot random wire antenna & yer all set!





Subject: Is shortwave a good alternative to cable TV?
From:
Date: 2/11/2004 1:49 PM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id:

On 11 Feb 2004 17:48:47 GMT,
(Chandler7600)
wrote:

YES! there is good programming to listen to on Shortwave;
Mostly ( IMHO) afternoon & night...


OK...but like what? What type of stuff is on? Is it sort of like
the WWII radio era in America? Lost of radio talk shows.... radio
drama? Like old time radio was in USA?

- Whats your Budget..?? How much can you spend to try it out..


Under $100? Don't wanna spend much until I see if the idea is
feasible.



Diverd4777 February 11th 04 09:52 PM

In article ,
(Gary) writes:

Also, with digital television now a reality, reception of many more
channels might be available with a high definition tv and tuner. I
have read that up in the mountains about 30 or 40 miles from me, where
tv reception has been impossible all these years, they now get great
reception from several digital over-the-air high definition stations,
some quite far away.


One of my freinds ( well to do, works two jobs) bought a 50 inch HDTV flat
screen;
and the surround sound system. Much like having a small theater in your house;

- really quite impressive!

- But for the price, you could probaly buy a full SW Transmitter,
antenna & Studio ( ! ! ! )

& There's lots to hear on WBCQ, 7.415, BBC, 5105, VOA, etc..

& library books are fun.

Dan




tommyknocker February 11th 04 10:16 PM

Diverd4777 wrote:

Yeah, sure, dump your Cable & go Shortwave....

I mean, are you really gonna miss home Shopping Network ? ?


Have you looked at how expensive cable is lately? And I bet he's only
got one cable provider so they probably charge highway robbery rates.
And what do they give you for your arm and leg-six home shopping
channels and ten movie channels?

Theres lots of good stuff on SWR;

Look at Sony 7600, YB400 and Sangean 505A for starters..


Since it sounds like he's in a rather remote location, he may want to
splurge for a used tabletop and a good outside antenna.

AND as far as " other "TV stations, try put up a Second / 3rd. 4rth
antenna & hooking them together..; & see what you can pick up ! !


Honestly, I don't watch too much TV except for local news. I get all my
international news from SW.

Dan





In article ,
writes:



Im thinking of dumping my cable TV. That will leave me with only two
local TV stations to get via an antenna.

Im considering buying a shortwave receiver that I can listen to while
doing things around the house.

Is there interesting programming available via shortwave? Is my idea
sound? What good receivers are worth looking at?







Tom Welch February 11th 04 11:47 PM

Today, you have many alternatives to
TV including web radio.

I've not owned a TV for over 10 years.

***********************************
* Tom Welch *
* HP Pavilion, Real Player, *
* Henry Kloss Model One Radio, *
* Kaito 1102, DX-399, Sony SRF-59,*
* Sangean DT-200V, Grundig Mini *
* World 200, Koss SportaPro *
***********************************


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