Listening to World Radio

Listening to world band radio is a bit more involved than programming your favourite FM stations into your car stereo. The practice of receiving (and sending) long-range radio signals (usually by bouncing them off the ionosphere) is referred to as "DXing". I personally have managed to pull in radio signals from China, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, Romania, Cuba and Canada on my little Degen DE1102 (called the Kaito KA1102 - Worldband radio in the U.S.).

Introducing World Band Radio

If you're new to world radio, or are considering trying it out, here are some online resources to get you started:

• The DX Zone -- Possibly the most comprehensive collection of resources on radio I've ever seen
• Amateur Radio on the Wikipedia -- The Wikipedia has a growing section on Amateur and World Radio
• An Introduction to Shortwave Listening-- An introductory text written by Don Cassel (VE3XD)
• Arnie Coro's DXers Unlimited Online -- It's even more fun when you actually hear him on your radio!
• Cumbre DX Home Page -- A list-server for DXers
• Hard-Core-DX.com -- Don't worry, it's clean! According to them, their site is "Probably the best DX site in the world."
• High Frequency Co-ordination Committee -- They try to reduce band conflicts
• The Houston Berean Page -- Includes a class handout introducing shortwave radio
• International Broadcasters on Shortwave Radio -- General information on shortwave radio
• Inwit Shortwave Listening Resources -- Another general resource; includes a section on reception reports
• Jack's Radio Fundamentals Homepage -- Some very good "getting started" information
• Kathi's Shortwave Page -- Another good "getting started" resource; also some interesting information about Radio Moscow
• NTIA Office of Spectrum Management -- Find out who uses what part of the electromagnetic spectrum
• Online Receivers -- Don't want to buy a radio? Don't let that stop you!
• Optimal Working Frequencies -- Computed based on information about solar activity and sunspots
• RadioIntel.com -- Far more detailed list than this one of online radio resources
• Shortwave Listening at radios4you.com -- Primarily a radio retailer, they provide some helpful "getting started" advice.
• SSB Guide -- Single-sideband is a good feature to look for in a radio, as it allows you to pick up broadcasts like the AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio and Television Service). This site introduces the technology and offers advice on using it.
• VE3SRE.COM -- An amateur radio hobbyist and a Linux user. I approve!

Program Directories

If you want to know what's playing when on which frequency and where you'll hear it, try some of these sites:

• hfradio.org's shortwave section
• NASWA WWW Shortwave Listening Guide
• Prime Time Shortwave
• Radio Station World
• Shortwave, Longwave, DC to Daylight

Serial (Hard Copy) Guides

Most listening guides include a large collection of equipment reviews, tips and advice for getting started, and of course a series of broadcast listings. The two most frequently recommended guides are:

• Passport to World Band Radio-- I use the "What's Playing Tonight" section, which provides hourly listings of major programming, quite regularly.
• The World Radio TV Handbook-- While I use Passport to learn what times my favourite programs are playing, I use WRTH to find out what frequencies to check.

QSL Cards and Listening Logs

While very few radio stations still send out pennants, most (especially international stations) will still send a QSL card to a listener who takes the time to send them a helpful reception report. At a minimum, such a reception report should contain your location, the equipment you're using, the times and dates of reception, the frequency you heard the broadcast on, descriptive information on the quality of your reception and some detailed information about the broadcasts themselves (e.g. interesting news items, information about the announcers, programs you particularly enjoyed). For input and examples, try some of the links below.

• BCDX.org -- Actual reception reports
• Writing Useful Reception Reports -- A copy of a pamphlet by released by Radio Netherlands on writing helpful reception reports.
• Writing Reception Reports and Obtaining QSL Cards -- Demonstrates how the SINPO (Signal strength, Interference, Natural noise, Propagation conditions, Overall merit) scale is used in a reception report

Where to Buy (Online)

Most of the retailers listed here offer short wave and other receivers, amateur transceivers, antennas, and a wide array of miscellaneous parts and accessories. Before purchasing a radio from them, however, I strongly recommend you consult product reviews beyond the ones offered on the sellers' sites. Both the Passport and WRTH provide detailed reviews of the latest radios and antennas.

• Universal Radio^†
• The Raymond Sarrio Company
• Radios4You^†‡
• hamcity.com
• Grove
• Amateur Electronic Supply

^†I would recommend this retailer based on first-hand experience.

^‡This retailer only ships to customers within the United States.