-=> Quoting Darren Crawford to All <=-
Hello Darren
 DC> Just wandered into this echo to see what was being talked about, and
 DC> decided to ask this question:
 DC> 'What English Speaking Stations, apart from Radio 4 etc, can you pick
 DC> up on Shortwave?'
 DC> I have often wandered into the Shortwave band on my radio, only to
 DC> discover that other stations are frequently interupting the signals.
 DC> So, what's around on Shortwave ?
So, you ask, What is on shortwave, let's see......
First off there is the BBC World Service, knocking around somewhere
This is pretty good, except the output is like R4 24 hours a day !!
Address is BBC World Service, Bush House, The Strand London, WC2B 4PH
web is www.bbc.co.uk or summat like that
Then, there is Radio Netherlands, this puts out a dead good output, 
roadcasts
to europe at 11.30 UTC on 6.045Mhz and 7.190 (6.045 is usually best)
this puts out a wide and varied output throughout the week
Notably Thursdays media network - all to do with SW etc (This follows after
Newsline, a 14 minute news  relateed prog that follows the news)
No newsline at the weekends, and there is sincerely yours on sunday
straight after the news.
Each block to europe is 2 hours long and normally contains quite a few progs
So listen and find out
The address is - Radio Netherlands, Po Box 222, 1200 JG, Hilversum, Holland
or e-mail them for a schedule at: letters@rnw.nl - Web www.rnw.nl
Then there is VOA (Voice Of America) these no longer transmit directly
to europe, but it is possible to pick up tx's directed elsewhere
Unfortunately, although I hae the new sched. I haven't had time to do
much listening...
They put out some good stuff when you have the time to sit down and listen
Address is: VOA, 330 Independence Av SW, Washington DC, USA
There are many other stations around, just twiddle carefully, especially
if your radio is the ghetto blaster type that isn't really designed
for SW reception - What sort of radio are you using ???, I started with
a Codar CR70A MKII I borrowed from my grandad when I was 9 (now 20)
I moved house we set it back up, but then we had to move temporarily
while it was being done up - I never saw it again (he had it back for
the duration)
My interest was re-kindled by twiddling with a Tandy 2 transistor radio kit
(Sadly, now defunct) that I found by slightly rewiring things would pick
up SW stations - It did it all the time though !!
I progressed to using my 'ghetto blaster' CFS201L (Sony), which was a pain
in the bum to tune, as if you slipped you covered about 5 MHz !!!
I bought a cheap SW3000 from Dixons, lasted all of six months, got
a Panasonic RF-b45 which did me for four years, I now own a second hand
Kenwood R-2000, which my grandad had, and I always remember him telling
me how good a set it was !!
Anyway - Back to topic.......
Voice of Russia, great station this, if you twiddle around and hear a clear
station with an english voice, it almost certainly must be Russia
Address is - English Service,Voice Of Russia, Moscow, Russia
e-mail: letters@vor.ru - There is a web page, but i don't have the address !
Reading matter wise, there is a lot to look at - If you intend getting
a proper radio, then you will need to read up on some literature
Shortwave magazine, published last thur of the month (Next one
due on 28th December - Current one still available, Check Smiths
or your local good newsies)
Very good nag, been reading it since 1991, has loads of info relating
to stations, receivers, accesories, aerials etc - Too much to really mention
get yourself a copy and have a read - I would thouroughly recommend
it to anybody.
It does have a 'sister' mag - Practical Wireless (PW) - THis is aimed
mainly at amateurs.
Passport to World Band Radio - This is a book (Abt 20 quid) that is like
a tv guide, apart from receiver reviews etc, it tells you what is on each
hour of the day from all the different stations, as well as the infamous
blue pages - Like a cross reference guide where if you tune to a frequency
and don't know what the station is, just look it up.
(Use it for the entire year)
There is some good advice in there for new starters
Some libraries have a copy - borrow it, or borrow, or buy (normally
very cheap)  a copy of a previous years passport, to see what your letting
yourself into !!!!!
There's loads more, I could go on all day, but if there is anything more,
then either mail me, or post a message to all in this echo - Someone'll
help you..
Regards
Mark
... "It compiled?  The first screen came up?  Ship it!" -- Bill Gates
--- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro
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