Buyer's Guide to Shortwave and World Band Radio Receivers

Owning a shortwave, or "world band", radio allows listeners to hear radio stations from across the nation and around the world. Many countries have shortwave stations, which are usually commercial-free, including Canada, Australia, Russia, The Netherlands, Iran, and others. 

Some shortwave radios can also receive communications and HAM (amateur) radio broadcasts. World band radios have been produced by a variety of electronics brands, including Grundig, Kaide, Bell & Howell, Panasonic, and others. However, shortwave receivers vary substantially in quality and features, making it necessary to consider many factors before purchasing one.

One major consideration is how much of the shortwave frequency range the radio is capable of tuning. The frequency range of shortwave bands, including communications and broadcasting, extends from about 1.8MHz-30MHz, or 1,800kHz-30,000kHz. The Citizen's Band (CB) is considered part of shortwave and is within the upper end of this range. Radio specifications may use either type of measurement (MHz/kHz). Some shortwave radios, like the jWin JX-M14, have a number of shortwave bands, but do not cover the entire shortwave range. 

Many others, such as the Radio Shack 12-795 and Rhapsody RY-610/RY-611, cover a single long portion like 4-12MHz, and may receive CB radio as well. Some of the more expensive radios cover the entire shortwave range or nearly all of it. While greater coverage gives you more listening opportunities, it certainly isn't necessary to receive the entire shortwave range to enjoy listening. Some sections of the SW range have minimal activity in most areas (such as the 2-3MHz section, sometimes called the Marine Band), and many broadcasters have multiple transmitters using different frequencies.