gort581 wrote:
I'm thinking of getting into shortwave radio (listening to it, at
least), but I've heard a lot about satellite radio, the internet, and
problems with power lines making shortwave a moot point. What's the
future of shortwave radio? Will it stick around in its current form?
Is it worth it to even buy a set, or am I better off just listening
online?

Thanks!

Setting concerns about BPL to one side, shortwave isn't going anywhere.
Why would it? It's not like there's only room enough for a single
medium of information in the world. When satellite radio and the
internet lead to the closing of all newspapers, movie theaters,
conventional FM and MW station, publishing houses, etc., then start to
worry. But that's never going to happen.

It might turn out that shortwave isn't as commercially viable as some
other media. This, in fact, is how I *hope* things play out. Granted,
it will result it more major broadcasters moving to other media, but it
will thereby clear up a lot of bandwidth for smaller broadcasters, much
more interesting content, and awesome DX opportunities.

So, you have more reason to buy a shortwave radio now than you ever did
before.

Steve

PS: Oh, and I'd be willing to wager that, ten years from now (if not
five years from now), we'll all be straining to remember exactly what
"DRM" was.