Is shortwave radio any good in 2021 ?

I’d argue very much that it is, and despite a downturn with the advent of internet and satellite radio streams, shortwave will remain well into the future and in a far more robust form when those possibly get shut down from one means or another.
One of our contributors, Parachutin’ Frogman, has a regular show on WWCR that also gets posted here and one that I’d hope you consider supporting.
And if you’re in need of a shortwave receiver, you can’t go wrong with the Tecsun PL-600 as a grab and go package with a far better audio reception than some of the smaller units out there.

By NC ScoutPublished On: September 4, 2021Categories: AP Staff, Comms, NC Scout12 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

12 Comments

Green Mountain Shooter September 4, 2021 at 15:35

If you’re in the market for a compact shortwave radio I would like to recommend the Belka-DX. Awesome little radio about the size of a pack of smokes. Link below to a couple of excellent reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJ7qJbk5ec
https://swling.com/blog/2020/09/state-of-the-art-spy-radio-a-comprehensive-review-of-the-belka-dsp-portable-shortwave-receiver/
The Belka-DSP is the first version of this radio, the Belka-DX is the current version. Search using Belka-DX to find distributors.
- NC Scout September 5, 2021 at 17:20
  
  I’ve been trying to get my hands on one of those for a while now with no luck. I did, however, pick up one of the ATS-20s and while I loved the form factor, it took a complete dump on me a week after getting it.
AWD September 4, 2021 at 16:24

IMO, SW will always have a place in emcomm kit, if just for the ability to have a multi band unit for listening to local/regional/national and global chatter, depending on freq, conditions and antenna.
I am never w/out my trusty county comm gp5/ssb radio and long wire antenna….
It uses AA alkaline/lithium or nicads, with my 20w folding solar panel or solar head yard lights, i always have power…
My pop brought back from SEA a large, sony or sanyo, can’t recall, analog dial unit, and we’d spend hours listening to various stations..
It had a main tuner dial, and a fine tuner one as well…It was a beast, compared to the digi units now….
SW was a mainstay for US troops in SEA to get info, music and alternative views on war…
Parachutin Frogman September 4, 2021 at 16:28

Hoo-Yah green brother Scout,
That’s a fine radio you’ve recommended ’cause it has Single-Side-Band (SSB) capability. For those of you who may not know this, a radio with SSB allows you to tune into HAM/Amateur broadcasts whereas other short-wave radios that DO NOT have SSB will NOT. Perhaps one day someone can publish the FREQ’s that are regularly utilized by HAM operators. I have some FREQ’s but am not certain if I have them all.
And thanks kindly Scout for mentioning the “Storm Warning” broadcast [details on the most recent ‘Weekend Gospel REPORT!’]. If y’all want to send a few bucks to help sponsor broadcast/s then here’s who you send monies to (and remember to indicate the donation is for “Storm Warning.”) —
WWCR ShortWave
1300 WWCR Avenue
Nashville, TN 37218
ATTN: miss Cathy
Thanks mucho, hombres.
The LORD JESUS be magnified!
- Johnny Paratrooper September 5, 2021 at 11:10
  
  As usual, I just learned something(Yet Again) reading the comments on an AP article.
Parachutin Frogman September 4, 2021 at 16:37

For those of you interested there’s a paperback book I highly recommend called,
“World Radio Handbook
WRTH
The Directory of Global Broadcasting”
It’s the world’s most comprehensive and up to date guide to broadcasting on Short-Wave, AM, etc.
Linkey to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=world+radio+tv+handbook+2022&crid=162MVHG0ZBKC6&sprefix=world+radio+tv+handbook+2022%2Caps%2C216&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_28
- Luke September 4, 2021 at 19:22
  
  This is a really bad subject for me. I bought a couple Baofeng (popular model) can you pick up the same signals with those as the short wave NC recommended? I think I am going to give those Baofengs to my niece & nephew. They’re both 11 (twins) and will no doubt be close to them when/if SHTF. They’re both smart and kids seem to learn shit faster.
  I am just trying to grab and pick up what I consider nuggets of info as I can. Learned about the benefits of pine needles today. Pretty amazing stuff. I got strange feeling shit is about to get real. You look to Australia as the canary in the coal mine. We shall find out if non violent protest will work or not. I don’t think they have much choice. If it doesn’t work for them not much point in trying it here.
  - NC Scout September 5, 2021 at 14:55
    
    No, Baofengs do not receive shortwave.
Don Shift September 4, 2021 at 17:24

I got one mainly so I can easily listen to ham radio. I can’t afford an HF transceiver myself.
kyhety September 4, 2021 at 20:32

Thanks for this information. I’ve been thinking about other sources for information & communicating, when no longer want a cell phone. I don’t know anything about shortwave & ham, but WILL BE learning! 👍
Paulo September 6, 2021 at 00:36

Have one about that same size in analog from back in the Y2K days.
Also with the wind-up plug & receive long wire attachment. Still works great.
Anonymous September 22, 2021 at 10:44

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