RadioBanter - Help For Newbie

Hello, Trev,

If you're mostly interested in program listening, that is, from the
major broadcasters, a portable should be just fine for you. If you
are interested in listening to more elusive things -- oddball DX,
military and other utility comms, you may want something with somewhat
more capability.

For reliable side-by-side comparisons of radios, I'd suggest getting a
copy of Passport to World Band Radio, www.passband.com.

Ultimately, what you get is largely a function of how much money you
are willing to spend.

One thing that you should be aware of is that fewer broadcasters are
targeting the English-speaking world these days, because they feel
that the U.S., for example, is far easier to reach through the
internet and satellite radio. It is unfortunate because they are
relying on a fragile, large infrastructure to work at all times,
especially when worldwide news events are important.

That trend was probably best established by the BBC, when Mark Byford
sniffed to Parliment that he wasn't interested in anyone hearing the
BBC besides "the opinion formers and decision makers."

Welcome, and don't let the trolls and idiots get to you -- this group
collects them!

"Trev" wrote:

Hi,

When I was younger, I'm 31 now, I used to listen to shortwave, the
station I probably remember the most if the Voice Of America. A weblink
last night renewed my interest in shortwave, and I now plan to buy a
radio and get back into the hobby. The show that rekindled my interest
was a religious programme which I found extremely entertaining, Brother
Stair was the shows host and apparently his show has been a firm fixture
on shortwave for years. I found his rantings a great form of escape :)

Anyway, was wondering if anyone could give me advice on

a) radios to buy
b) good websites

or simply anything that would be handy for a newcomer. Have read the
FAQ

Trev in Ireland

--
Eric F. Richards

"Nature abhors a vacuum tube." -- Myron Glass,
often attributed to J. R. Pierce, Bell Labs, c. 1940