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Shortwave radio broadcasts between 3 and 30 MHz (3,000 kHz to 30,000 kHz), and signals can be heard across long distances. They were frequently used during World War II, usually transmitting coded messages.
First introduced in the 1920s, shortwave broadcasts revolutionized the world of radio, making international broadcasting and international communication possible. Shortwave broadcasts work in conjuncture with the ionosphere... the frequencies fall into the ionosphere and bounce back, broadcasting across the globe.
Although radios that pick up shortwave broadcasts can still be bought today, vintage shortwave radios are a fun (and useful!) collectible.
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by Interviews & Articles
Understanding Antique Radios
You've just acquired an old radio, but apart from the manufacturer's name on the front, you don't know a blessed thing about it. L… [more]
Vintage Transistor Radios of the 1950s and 60s
Perhaps you recently saw a picture of a cool looking pocket radio from the early 1960’s and were reminded of your carefree, youthf… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Jim's Antique Radio Museum
Jim Tripp's showcase of radios from the 1920s to late 1950s, organized by style and theme (wood, console, plastic, … [read review or visit site]
The Radio Attic's Archives
This photo gallery of over 7800 vintage radios, categorized by manufacturer and model number, is a group effort wit… [read review or visit site]
AntiqueRadios.com
Alan Voorhees' reference resource for vintage radio collectors includes a photo gallery, article library, PDF archi… [read review or visit site]
Radiomuseum.org
This vast archive and community of radio collectors features over 120,000 radio model listings and 350,000 photos a… [read review or visit site]
Phil's Old Radios
This extensive collection of antique radios includes beautiful photos and detailed historical descriptions. The sit… [read review or visit site]
Radiophile.com
John Pelham's collection of wood and plastic radios from the 1930's and 40's. What sets this site apart is the deta… [read review or visit site]
Radio-Guy
Steve Erenberg's extremely wacky and well-done collection of vintage mad-scientist devices and contraptions. Writte… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations
- Antique Wireless Association
- Southeastern Antique Radio Society
- New Jersey Antique Radio Club
- British Vintage Wireless Society
- California Historical Radio Society
Discussion Forums
Other Great Reference Sites
Top eBay Auctions
1950's Grundig Record Player Shortwave Radio
Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium Short Wave Am Fm World Radio Receiver
Vintage Galaxie Hi Fi Tube Radio, Model Fm203, Am/fm/short Wave, Working Nice!
Near Mint Vintage Zenith H500 Trans-oceanic Shortwave/am Radio Receiver
Zenith Wavemagnet Transoceanic Short Wave Radio Model H500 1950s Works Black
Vintage Hallicrafters S38 Shortwave Tube Am/ham Radio
Norelco Model B3x08 Amfm Shortwave Radio Wmagic Eye Works Made In Holland. Rare
Wooden Coronado Radio Am Shortwave Model 867 Circa 1939
Vintage Philco Wood Tube Radio Am/short Wave Model 42-322 1941 Working
Vintage 8 Band Shortwave Multiband Radio Candle Tk-2653 Tokyo Transistor
Sears Silvertone Tube Radio Model 6124 Am Shortwave
Zenith Trans-oceanic Short Wave Receiver
Patrolman -9 - Realistic - 9 Band Transistor Radio - Short Wave, Etc
Grundig Portable Am-fm Shortwave Radio W-light Works Fr-200
Vtg Portable Minerva Tropic Master Short Wave Tube Radio Powers Up Model W 117
Rare Victor (jvc) Model Th-2770s Am/shortwave Transistor Radio - Clean & Works!
Service Bulletin C1946 Northern Electric Short Wave Superhetero Radio Model 5002
Zenith Vintage Reconditioned Trans-oceanic Am Shortwave Radio Y-600 Good Working
1952 Awa Radiola Radio Brochure - Short Wave Station Transmission Times
Antique Radio Magazine Short Wave Craft April 1936 P768 Fair Condition
Antique Radio Magazine Short Wave Craft May1936 P64 Fair Condition
Antique Radio Magazine Short Wave And Television Dec. 1937 P464 Fair Condition
Antique Radio Magazine Short Wave Craft Sept. 1933 P318 Fair Condition
Antique Radio Magazine Short Wave Craft Oct. 1936 P384 Fair Condition
Antique Radio Magazine Short Wave Radio Oct. 1934 P48 Fair Condition
Antique Magazine Radio News And The Short-wave Sept. 1934 P192 Fair Condition
Recent News: Shortwave Radios
Source: Google News
Is America Losing Its Voice?
UNC Chapell Hill, June 19thVOA broadcasts in 45 languages, with 24-hour television satellite network streams, numerous AM and FM and shortwave radio broadcasts, and many affiliate radio and TV stations around the world. VOA is also riding the digital wave, with a number of ...Read more
Brazil to Retest DRM, HD Radio
Radio World, June 19thThe trials will include shortwave, AM and FM, reports Carlos Eduardo Behrensdorf, who adds the shortwave and AM testing will use DRM technology while both high- and low-power FM testing will use HD Radio. Brazil Communications Co. will conduct the ...Read more
Annual Field Day event for amateur radio operators this Saturday
Rome News Tribune, June 19thHam radio users need only a short wave radio, a transceiver, an antenna and a power source. Field day participants will use alternative power sources such as a generator or solar power. Keith said ham radio operators typically have no traditional power ...Read more
Shortwave radio works when all else fails
Southgate Amateur Radio Club, June 19thThey say "More than 100 years after the advent of amateur radio, known as short wave, the old form of communication remains a backup to emergency crews in times of disaster." "The national event [Field Day], sponsored by the Amateur Radio Relay League, ...Read more
Amateur radio fans get antennas up for big annual field day
Chinook Observer, June 18thThe public is invited to observe amateur radio at work and learn how to make contact with other radio stations in North America. One station is dedicated for use by the public and for amateurs who do not typically operate on the short-wave bands. The...Read more
Elmhurst radio club to compete in national contest
Suburban Life Publications, June 17thELMHURST – The York Radio Club of Elmhurst will show non-members how to use a short-wave radio as part of the American Radio Relay League's annual Field Day Contest. The more visitors the York Radio Club has, the more points they earn during the ...Read more
Introducing the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive
Southgate Amateur Radio Club, June 4thI am very happy to announce a project to share and archive our shortwave radio recordings: The Shortwave Radio Audio Archive. Many of you probably already know that I believe archiving our shortwave radio broadcasts is vital now. Many broadcasters are ...Read more
Bouncing Through the Night: Shortwave Memories
My New Orleans, May 31stExperiencing “TuneIn” reminded me of my old shortwave radio, which now collects dust next to the sofa where I sat when I first used the app. I was never a shortwave fanatic exactly, but there was something intriguing about spending a few minutes on...Read more