"asdf" wrote in message ...
also what resources are available to see which stations are broadcasting at
any
particular time. Found a listing of stations on radio shack's website but i
dont think
it's been updates in a long time.


English language broadcasts all day
http://www.primetimeshortwave.com
look on the left for "SW schedules sorted by time"

All broadcasts
http://www.eibi.de.vu
get the bc-a05.txt file

SW reception conditions have been less than favorable lately.
I had one good day in the last week. Keep trying. A good test
might be any of the China Radio International broadcasts out of
Canada targetted at parts of North America. Then you'll know
the radio is functioning. Don't use the SSB switch unless you are
trying for an SSB broadcast (i.e. AFRTS). Turn "up" the attenuator
wheel, and adjust it the other way if you get a signal that overloads.
Generally speaking, night reception is better. Try at night. Also, try
any of the WWV time signals... 5000, 10000, 150000 kHz... to
test if SW is working. If you're in the eastern time zone and reading
this just after it's posted tune in 9580 kHz to hear Radio Australia.
I get a good signal from them each morning until after sunrise.