A TOP RESOURCE ON SHORTWAVE RADIO

Bookmark this site: https://www.short-wave.info/

In the RTO Course I always bring up shortwave radio towards the end of day 1 as a source of news and information that goes often overlooked amid the digital world. But, conversely, it will likely become a very, very important resource once things begin to go sideways.

Need a shortwave radio? Here’s some choices. I normally listen with one of my HF rigs, but if you’re looking for a standalone SW radio, the Eton Elite is probably the most rugged and simplest to use model. I have one on the mantle above the woodstove. You can go cheap with the little pocket radios but, from personal experience, you’re mostly wasting your time. The receivers are normally severely lacking in sensitivity, and that comes from design compromises in fitting the circuit into a small space.

By NC ScoutPublished On: March 31, 2022Categories: Comms, NC Scout4 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 .

4 Comments

brewer55 March 31, 2022 at 08:24

Thank you for posting this. After reading TEOTWAWKI (John Wesley, Rawles book) 11-12 years ago, I bought the Sony ICF-SW7600GR shortwave that has been sitting in my little faraday cage since then. I’m embarrassed to say I still have not learned how to use it. I need to find a tutorial on at least its basic use and to set up the reel antenna that came with it.
Bud Green March 31, 2022 at 13:48

I have listened to shortwave since the 80’s. It used to be a good source of info but fell off with the advent of the internet, however recently it has really started picking up.
I use an HF rig but I have a decent portable as well.
Everyone should have some sort of shortwave receiver in their preps and you can make an antenna out any kind of wire and hear broadcasts from around the world.
Parachutin' Frogman March 31, 2022 at 16:29

Thanks for the post, Scout. I have an older Grundig Satellite 750 (now known as the Eton Elite). Great radio with excellent audio.

Brewer-55, Good choice in getting that Single-Side-Band (SSB) Capable radio as you’ll be able to tune in and receive Amateur / HAM radio broadcasts. Write these FREQ’s down for future listening:

1.800 to 2.000 MHz

5330.5 / 5346.5 / 5357 / 5371.5 / 5403.5 KHz – Upper Side Band (USB)

7.000 MHz through 7.300 MHz

10.100 MHz through 10.150 MHz

14.000 MHz through 14.350 MHz

18.068 MHz through 18.168 MHz

21.000 MHz through 21.450 MHz
Brewer55 March 31, 2022 at 16:52

Thanks Frogman!