If you are travelling to the less
um
stable parts of the world, a shortwave world band radio is a sensible thing to take. People do get caught up in surprise events: tsunami, civil war, riots, coup detats, Chernobyl-type events, etc. If the worst happens, you can get reliable information from the excellent BBC World Service, or the English Service of Radio Netherlands. Both have a reputation for accuracy and impartiality, unlike local stations, which may well be off the air anyway.
Even at home, the government recommend that you have a battery-powered radio in case of emergency. Also, if you are camping, a shortwave radio gives you a wider choice of stations, especially at night, or in mountainous country where FM reception is often difficult.
Superdrug are currently flogging a 10 band shortwave radio for the enormous sum of £1.99. Thats a pretty good price for any radio, but considering it covers the entire useful shortwave spectrum from 5MHz to 21MHz, it is a steal. If you add in a digital frequency readout (believe me, you want this), it is a serious bargain. Superdrug claim its reduced from £88 perhaps an exaggeration, but I have seen similar sets at £20.
The radio amateur community cottoned on to this 3 years ago when Superdrug were selling a very similar model for the rip-off price of £2.99
. A lot of hams modified them to receive all kinds of things they werent designed to. The current ones are perhaps harder to reassemble, so less good for modifying.
I bought one (well, four actually) and it works pretty well. A quick tune around and I could hear BBC World Service to Europe on 6.195MHz, Voice of Turkey, Radio China International (with on-air Chinese lessons), Deutsche Welle, Kol Israel, Radio Tirana, Voice of America and a couple of US religious stations. All the major shortwave broadcasters can be heard well though if you are not used to shortwave be aware that there is usually some hiss and fading compared to FM, because the signals are bouncing off the sky, not arriving directly.
It also receives medium wave and FM, again with digital frequency readout. It uses two AA cells so good for compatibility with GPS or torch. It is small and has a 50cm telescopic antenna, clock, alarm and headphone socket.
Downsides: it is made in China and feels flimsier than an £80 Sony. Although described as digital it does not use digital frequency control it is an ordinary analogue radio with a digital display. This means tuning can need a deft hand. It is designed to receive broadcast stations - it will not receive amateurs/shipping/aircraft without modification. It will not receive long wave so could be an issue if you need the shipping forecast.
Overall though, it is good kit and very good value at £1.99. Recommended, especially for the tropical traveller.
Even at home, the government recommend that you have a battery-powered radio in case of emergency. Also, if you are camping, a shortwave radio gives you a wider choice of stations, especially at night, or in mountainous country where FM reception is often difficult.
Superdrug are currently flogging a 10 band shortwave radio for the enormous sum of £1.99. Thats a pretty good price for any radio, but considering it covers the entire useful shortwave spectrum from 5MHz to 21MHz, it is a steal. If you add in a digital frequency readout (believe me, you want this), it is a serious bargain. Superdrug claim its reduced from £88 perhaps an exaggeration, but I have seen similar sets at £20.
The radio amateur community cottoned on to this 3 years ago when Superdrug were selling a very similar model for the rip-off price of £2.99
. A lot of hams modified them to receive all kinds of things they werent designed to. The current ones are perhaps harder to reassemble, so less good for modifying.I bought one (well, four actually) and it works pretty well. A quick tune around and I could hear BBC World Service to Europe on 6.195MHz, Voice of Turkey, Radio China International (with on-air Chinese lessons), Deutsche Welle, Kol Israel, Radio Tirana, Voice of America and a couple of US religious stations. All the major shortwave broadcasters can be heard well though if you are not used to shortwave be aware that there is usually some hiss and fading compared to FM, because the signals are bouncing off the sky, not arriving directly.
It also receives medium wave and FM, again with digital frequency readout. It uses two AA cells so good for compatibility with GPS or torch. It is small and has a 50cm telescopic antenna, clock, alarm and headphone socket.
Downsides: it is made in China and feels flimsier than an £80 Sony. Although described as digital it does not use digital frequency control it is an ordinary analogue radio with a digital display. This means tuning can need a deft hand. It is designed to receive broadcast stations - it will not receive amateurs/shipping/aircraft without modification. It will not receive long wave so could be an issue if you need the shipping forecast.
Overall though, it is good kit and very good value at £1.99. Recommended, especially for the tropical traveller.
