Getting into SWLing (Shortwave Radio Listening)

Shortwave radio listening, or SWLing, allows listeners to hear transmissions from around the world. Getting into SWLing requires some basic equipment, which can be added to as your SWLing hobby grows.

 

Shortwave signals lie below the AM frequencies on the radio spectrum. Unlike AM, which has a limited range, a shortwave transmission can travel around the world. Whether you can receive the transmission depends on the strength of your SWL antenna and other equipment, the time of year and the time of day. Space weather conditions, such as solar flares, also affect SWLing.

Shortwave frequencies range from 2.3 MHz to 30.0 MHz in the radio wave spectrum. Crammed into the shortwave range are hundreds of different transmissions used by commercial radio, shipping, aviation and the military.

Here are just a few SWLing possibilities. You can:

Listening to news from other countries is a popular SWL practice. Foreign news often has a very different perspective on world events when compared to domestic news, helping people understand news events from a global perspective.

Then there’s the music. If you enjoy exotic music, SWLing is for you. One night you might listen to traditional Indian sitars, the next you could be tuned into a hardcore Japanese rock station.

Many shortwave listeners contact the stations they hear and let them know where their station was heard, what the frequency was, the signal strength and other information. This can be of great help to the station’s engineers.

In return, international stations often mail back a QSL card to confirm they received the information. QSL cards can be quite striking pieces of art, and many SWL hobbyists collect them.

Getting into SWLing doesn’t require much equipment. A portable shortwave radio with an expandable antenna is all you need to get started. A portable shortwave radio runs between $100 and $700.

While portable SWLing allows you to tune into shortwave frequencies wherever you are, it does limit your access to only the most powerful signals. Some people extend their portable SWL antenna by attaching wire to the end of the antenna. But, for really powerful reception, you need to take the hobby a step further.

A tabletop shortwave receiver is a major investment: a good receiver will set you back between $1000 and $5000. A tabletop receiver can attach to an external SWL antenna, however, which allows you to listen to much weaker signals (Some high-end portable SWL radios are also equipped with external SWL antenna capabilities).

You can expand your shortwave radio listening pleasure with any number of accessories. Some extras can be homemade, if you have the technical knowhow.

SWL antenna tuners compensate for SWL antennas that are the wrong length for the incoming signal’s wavelength. By using SWL antenna tuners, SWL hobbyists can tune into a much boarder frequency range.

SWL converters further expand the frequencies hobbyists can access. Low frequency SWL converters, for instance, allow listeners to tune into the many beacons, amateur broadcasters and government channels in the lowest frequency ranges. In contrast, wideband SWL receivers allow users to tune into the VHF range, home to the FM stations.

A shortwave radio listening hobbyist can also connect an SWL receiver to a PC. Software available for PC SWL receivers allows listeners to fine-tune reception and save broadcast as sound files.

SWLing is a progressive hobby. While you’re just getting into SWLing, a portable shortwave radio is all you need. As your interest grows, you may find that a tabletop receiver fits your needs. Tuning in to your first shortwave transmission can be the start of a lifelong hobby.