Home TopicsShortwave Basics

Shortwave Radio Basics

Shortwave radio can be an enjoyable hobby that lasts a lifetime. If you are interested in using shortwave radio, there are some basic components you will need to get started. As long as you buy components from a reputable manufacturer, shortwave equipment tends to be quite durable and should bring you many years of enjoyment. Any battery-powered equipment will have to have batteries changed or recharged regularly.

Shortwave Receivers

To listen to shortwave radio broadcasts, you'll need to have a shortwave receiver. These receivers are designed to tune into the specific shortwave radio frequencies of 3 MHz to 30 MHz. This band is located just above the frequency of your AM radio. Your regular radio most likely cannot receive shortwave frequencies. Shortwave receivers can be powered by a:

built-in power generator (hand crank)
DC power jack to allow power through an AC adaptor
rechargeable battery pack
replaceable batteries.

No installation is necessary to hear your shortwave radio. Just power it up and enjoy.

Shortwave Receiver Features

Many features are available on shortwave receivers to improve your listening experience. A few important features to consider include:

audio filtering: This type of filter helps you hear broadcasts more clearly by allowing certain frequencies while rejecting others; noise is reduced, allowing the broadcast information to be heard more clearly.
automatic gain control: This feature maintains the audio level (volume) from your receiver, as the signal strength coming in varies.
beat frequency oscillator: The listener can receive CW, FSK and SSB signals with the beat frequency oscillator.
crystal lattice filter: This feature helps make the receiver more selective by rejecting signals from adjacent frequencies.
scanning: A scanning features allows the receiver to automatically search a frequency range and stop when it finds a signal.
squelch: This feature reduces the audio until signal strength goes above a desired level.

Receiver Prices

There is a wide price range for shortwave receivers. Inexpensive receivers are a great way to start, however you will only be able to hear stations with strong signals and very clear channels. To hear weaker stations, you will probably need a mid-priced receiver. Here is an idea of the price range to expect when choosing a shortwave receiver:

compact portables: $100 - $400
portables: $300 - $700
semi-portables: about $1,000
tabletop models: $1,000 - $5,000.

Shortwave Antennas

To pick up shortwave signals, an antenna is needed. Luckily, except for tabletop models, all shortwave receivers come equipped with a built-in whip antenna. Built-in antennas should allow you to hear major broadcasts from around the world. If you are looking to increase your capability and pick up weaker stations, you'll need to install an additional external antenna.

Two basic types of external antenna are available. These are:

active antenna (an amplified whip antenna)
outdoor wire antenna.

Many receivers have a jack for connecting an external antenna, making installation easy. Prices vary and start as low as about $10.

Active Antennas

Active antennas are great for those who live in apartments or anyone who lives in an area where there are restrictions for putting up an outdoor antenna. These antennas are whip antennas with an amplifier built in. Some contain additional features such as:

multiple antenna selection
noise reduction
specific band tuning.

While active antennas work well indoors, they are at their very best outdoors. If you can use your active antenna in an outdoor area, such as a balcony or roof, you'll get optimum reception.

Outdoor Wire Antennas

Outdoor antennas are a great way to improve shortwave reception. You can either purchase one or construct your own. To make your own outdoor wire antenna, simply string up a wire between two trees or a house and a tree. The wire should be at least 50 feet long. Attach an insulated lead-in wire to the closest end of the wire to connect it to your receiver.

Shortwave Call Signs

When you listen to shortwave radio, you will notice that all broadcasters have a unique shortwave call sign. Call signs are assigned by the government, which licenses or authorizes the user. Understanding call signs can help you to figure out where a signal is coming from. Call signs consist of:

a prefix
a numeral
a suffix (alphabetical).

The prefix of a call sign usually tells you which country the signal is coming from. For example, prefixes AAA-ALZ tend to be from the United States while prefixes TKA-TKZ generally originate in France.