Shortwave Radios Explained

The best shortwave radios allow users to hear what the rest of the world is saying. However, some can be noisy and may cause you to quit listening to them. This is why you should invest in one of the best shortwave radios for better quality and less noise.

This article aims to help shortwave radio users and enthusiasts choose the best shortwave radios to satisfy their needs.

What is Shortwave Radio?

A shortwave radio is a custom-built receiver receiving shortwave radio broadcasts ranging from around 3Mhz to 30Mhz between the conventional AM and FM bands. 

Shortwave can travel extremely vast distances, making it a good choice for anybody looking to reach a large audience.

How to buy A shortwave radio?

The following are some important factors to consider when selecting a shortwave radio.

The Battery Life

The battery duration affects how long the radio can be used. You should ensure that the quality and duration of the radio’s battery are as high as feasible. The longer the battery life, the longer you can use it. 

Frequency range

One of the most important things to note for shortwave radios is the frequency range that they can detect. Shortwave frequencies range from 1,710kHz (or 1.7MHz) to 30,000kHz (30MHz). Some of the lower-priced models range from 2.3MHz to 21MHz, more or less. High-end radios can reach a wide range. 

Sensitivity

The ability of a radio to detect faint signals is also essential. The higher the sensitivity, the more signals it can detect, making the sound clearer and more stable. 

However, high sensitivity might detect other signals, resulting in “outside” noise. Unfortunately, the only way to determine a radio’s sensitivity is to try it out or read detailed reviews or hearing tests online. 

Selectivity

The capacity of a receiver to focus on a frequency selected while avoiding interference from other “nearby” frequencies is also something to look out for. Look for bandwidth filter options when choosing a radio. You can select larger bands to maximize the amount of information received by radio. 

The smaller you go, the better it is to hear a single voice and block out other background noises. 

Panasonic Portable AM / FM Radio, (RF-2400D)

  • This shortwave radio is equipped with a large dial with a bright pointer that allows easy viewing. It also comes with a digital tuner which enables you to search for radio stations easily. 
  • Dual power supply: This feature enables you to use batteries or electric power sources. This shortwave radio comes with an AC adapter and accepts 4 AA/LR6/R6 batteries.
  • This radio is compatible with headphones with a 3.5-millimeter connector to listen privately. You can purchase this radio on Amazon at an affordable price.

Greadio Portable Shortwave Radio,

  • This shortwave radio comes with a 12-month warranty, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7 customer care.
  • This shortwave radio is also equipped with a large LCD screen, allowing you to see each AM/FM/Shortwave station as you turn the knob. On the LCD display, you can also see a time setting. 
  • This radio comes with a DSP chip to ensure the radio signal is durable and stable. It also features a quality in-built 2W speaker and a 3.5mm earphone port for when you want to listen to music privately. 
  • This radio has dual tone modes, which allows you to listen in high or low tune mode. It has two methods: use AC power or insert 4 D Cell batteries to power the radio. You can purchase this radio from Amazon at an affordable price.

Retekess V115 Digital Radio AM FM

  • This shortwave radio is only 4.7 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches, making it ideal for shirt pockets and easy to carry. It also has a digital tuner and numbers pad which allows for automatic search, manual search, and radio station storage.
  • MIC Recorder: Digital radio bass sound recording with MIC and line in; Insert the TF card to record your voice or the voice of a radio station. You can also choose either Chinese, English, Spanish, or Russian.
  • A unique feature of this radio is its USB cable and charging port, allowing you to charge the radio from a computer or connect to a phone adaptor. You can get this product on Amazon at an affordable price.

Jazmm AM FM Portable Radio

  • This shortwave radio is equipped with an FM/AM analog tuner with a frequency range of 87-108MHz FM and 520-1730kHz AM. It also includes a long antenna, which boosts the FM signal in areas with poor reception. 
  • This radio has dual tone modes, which allows you to choose between High and Low tone modes. it also has dual power modes, you can use either AC or 4x DC-1.5V batteries,
  • This radio has large speakers with clear and good sound quality. It also has a 3.5mm earphone port for listening to music discreetly. It is available on Amazon at an affordable price