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DEL.ICIO.USVoices from technology’s past
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve been hearing voices for years. Strange music, too. While that bothers my wife, I can’t imagine a world without those voices.
Sometimes the voices are clear, but my favorite times are when they are faint whispers that fade in and out of the static from the old shortwave receiver in my home office.
Radio broadcasting is an analog technology in a digital world; yet each time I write about it, I hear from readers who find it either reawakens an old interest in shortwave listening, or creates a new one.
Stay tuned and I’ll tell you why.
Maybe it’s because we’re dealing with magic here. Being completely practical about shortwave radio is as silly as being practical about golf or fishing. But for those who want practical benefits, shortwave broadcasting has some.
It offers a broader perspective on the world than any TV program or newspaper. Shortwave lets you pull up a chair and listen for as long as you’d like to the news, the music and the popular programs of other lands. There’s something about hearing the voices that helps a person understand.
There’s also no better way to refresh language skills than listening to native speakers. But the people who eventually find themselves pulled into the static end up staying because of the magic. It’s very much like fishing; you never quite know what you’ll pull in.
So how do you sample this hobby?
The good news is, it’s a lot cheaper than computing. Sony and Grundig make excellent portable shortwave receivers for $200 or less. Even with the built-in antenna, you can cruise the world because commercial broadcasters pump out such strong signals.
Browse amateur radio catalogs online for a receiver in your price range. Ham Radio Outlet can be found here. You can take a look at the Amateur Electronic Supply catalog here - another good source. A low-cost portable from either one is a good way to start.
For computer lovers, several manufacturers make shortwave receivers designed to be connected to - and controlled by - a computer. These radios are very sophisticated and yet, because your computer does much of the work, don’t cost much more than a low-end portable.
My favorite of these computer/radio hybrids is from Ten-Tec. You can read about it here.
Reluctant to spend much money on what may be a passing interest?
Fortunately there are ways to ease into the hobby.
First, consider a book called Passport to World Band Radio 2007. Besides offering an easy-to-understand introduction, you’ll get honest reviews of every radio on the market. If you decide to buy a radio, the book has information about commercial shortwave broadcasters, including schedules and program guides.
You can find the book online. You may also find a review - originally published in this column - on that site. It’s a favorable review but, I promise, I have no financial interest in the book.
Several Web sites allow you to to tune a remote shortwave receiver as if you were sitting at the controls. You can listen with your computer’s speakers. Now that’s real magic.
Try these sites:
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Comments
By Jason
May 25, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Hi Bill, love your tech column and really wish you still got as much space as you used to in the paper. My question for you is why have you stopped your computer game reviews over the last few months? You really should check out the mmog World War Two Online: Battlefield Europe. It debuted in 2001 with a host of problems but has since become a fantastic game. Its also much different than any other online game out today, a complete war simulation. Check it out sometime… www.wwiionline.com Anyway, just wanted to say I really enjoy your column and always look forward to it.
By Jerry Church
May 27, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Bill You mentioned a free operating system in one of your columns. Where can it be found on the web? Thanks, Jerry
By Mary F. Rauch
May 29, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
My startup has way too many processes in it…tell me AGAIN where to find the lists showing what is safe/advisable to disable and what I should leave?
By Bruce Atchison
June 2, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Shortwave seems like magic because it uses no cables or satellites. No licence is required and people can listen to it anywhere. The randomness of the signals and their fading add to the charm of the medium. It also can’t be sensored. Countries regularly jam signals but some get through anyway.
I’ve been a shortwave listener since I first discovered it on the school’s AM/SW receiver. That was more than 40 years ago and I still love shortwave. Though I can now listen to crystal-clear radio stations on my PC, nothing will replace the wonder of tuning in a distant voice from thousands of miles away without any man-made assistance.