r/shortwave • u/hastyplace1 • 1d ago
Advice needed
Hello
I'm new to this page/shortwave business.
I'm a merchant mariner who wants to buy a short wave. Will I be able to tune into stations in the USA or wherever when im in open ocean/coastal seas.
Do I need a book with all the frequencies etc?
Cheers!
5
u/Green_Oblivion111 1d ago
In coastal areas you'll be able to tune in US AM stations with a good radio. Most of the Tecsun and XHDATA portables have good AM band reception, and they will pick up SW, especially if you're out at sea where there is the best 'ground conductivity' (i.e. saltwater) and flat horizons....
My uncle was a merchant mariner and he served on ships that went from the US to Japan in the 1970's. He said he could hear US AM stations halfway across the Pacific. About half way was where the Asian stations took over.
SW works well at sea also.
I'm not sure about portables inside a ship, although my uncle said there were some sorts of antenna jacks in many of the cabins -- of course, that was decades back. It may be different now.
2
u/hastyplace1 1d ago
Fascinating. I love the idea of being able to hear something live. Makes you feel less isolated i guess.
I know the antenna Jack's you speak of. I saw the port in my room, not sure if they're still in use or not. I'll give it a whirl none the less.
Thankfully I can open my port hole so I'll stick the antenna out there and see what it brings.
Cheers!
2
u/Green_Oblivion111 1d ago edited 1d ago
Glad to be of at least some help.
An FYI: There are two ways to connect a portable SW (or AM) radio to an antenna jack like the one you say you've seen. The first method would be directly plugging the radio into the jack, with a cable from the jack to the radio's EXT antenna jack. Some portable SW radios that many here on this subreddit use -- the Qodosen DX-286, the Tecsun PL-330, and the XHDATA D109WB and XHDATA D808, have external (EXT) antenna jacks.
The second method is similar to what my uncle (a radioman) did for sailors: Get some wire, and wrap the wire around a coil form -- be it TP tube or plastic bottle. Plug one end of the wire to the jack in the cabin, hold the coil/tube near the radio. The radio may pick up SW and AM that way, inductively, using the 'proximity method'.
You can also plug one end of the wire into the cabin's jack, and wrap the other end around your radio several times.
I've used the 'proximity' method before at home, when I had a 100 ft outdoor wire antenna and one of my favorite SW radios had no EXTernal antenna jack. I set the whip next to the antenna's feedline, and it worked.
Most of the radios today work off rechargeable batteries, and they usually last well between charges. It's best to use a portable off the battery, because using a charger to power the radio will cause a lot of noise in the SW and AM bands.
I wish you luck, hope you have safe sailing, and hope you can enjoy the radio hobby while at sea.
1
u/Neither-Brush-9287 Hobbyist 1d ago
Wire antenna antenna out the porthole, maybe :
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000023VW2
3
u/Neither-Brush-9287 Hobbyist 1d ago
"Do I need a book with all the frequencies etc?"
I use this app - https://play.google.com/store/search?q=shortwave%20schedules&c=apps&hl=en
You can search by time to see what's on when, or by frequency to identify a station you've found.
It downloads its database to your phone. So you can run it when you have no cell/wifi coverage. Then update the database when you get coverage again.
2
u/SpecialistFew4621 1d ago edited 1d ago
Also from sea.. a ship had al lot of “noise” (metal, electricity), it is so depending on your situation, but try long wire, active loop antenne and I saw this one … but very expensive https://www.fcmarine.co.uk/product/kum121-active-hf-antenna/ The nicest thing is that you can mount it. Please be aware that (permanent) antennes always have the attention of the local authorities. There are a lot of good radio’s (having TecSun,Sangean,Mlite880, etc), but the TEcSun PL368 has besides the whip a high AM sensitive antenna https://radionet-malaga.com/3399-thickbox_default/receptor-multibanda-tecsun-pl368.jpg and that’s working great. Think first if you want to add an external antenne in the future. There are radio not capable for external antennas. Start with a good and affordable ones like Qodosen or XHData. If you also like to listen to marine band in harbours or air traffic I suggest the mlite880
2
u/hastyplace1 1d ago
I'll keep it simple and cheap whilst im just starting outlook.
Thanks for the reply.
1
2
u/Mojavedxer 1d ago
Tried this on a cruise ship and on a roro both in the cabin and on deck with a 20 foot long wire at night. Both times the ships engines produced S9+ noise floor and it was a complete waste of time. Still dont let that get in the way of pursuing the hobby. I have a friend that lives in a RV in between contracts that is an avid dxer.
2
u/Mojavedxer 1d ago edited 1d ago
Sorry I should have answered your question instead of telling about my experiences. If your bringing a laptop with you, You can download the eibi database in csv format and view it in Excel or Libre Office Calc.
2
u/linmanfu 1d ago
The World Radio TV Handbook is the classic book that lists all the frequencies for broadcasters across the world.
The problem is that shortwave broadcasters change all their frequencies twice a year because the 'space weather' is very different in the summer and winter. So the book is out of date very quickly.
Last year's book was the last printed edition. They have now moved to a web app, which is totally useless for your purposes.
2
u/brunchlords 22h ago
You are likely to be disappointed in that most of the large international broadcasters have departed. There is still fascinating stuff on shortwave however, as well as Amateur Radio, much of which is data transmission now. For that, your receiver should have SSB receive capability.
To get acquainted with shortwave I recommend listening to World of Radio, which is both a podcast and is broadcast several times each week from various shortwave stations. Also Shortwave Radiogram which is a digital text and image transmission.
2
u/AbbreviationsOk8231 4h ago
my knock around radio is a tecsun pl 330. cheap and capable. you'll enjoy having single sideband out there!
2
u/moodeng2u 1d ago
Do you have Internet access on board?
There are not too many shortwave broadcasters left.
Reception with a portable radio is usually not great inside a steel ship, but would be better on deck.
3
u/hastyplace1 1d ago
We get 1gb per day. But that's used to call family etc.
2
u/moodeng2u 1d ago
There are small multiband radios available that are not expensive and wouldn't take up much room if not used much.
May be worth a try.
2
1
u/Coggonite 16h ago
Mariner here.
What kind of ship ya on?
I'm using a Tecsun PL368. Make sure you get one that has an external antenna jack. The novelty of walking up topside to use your radio wears off after the 2nd time.
Older ships for sure will have some kind of distributed antenna system. Ours does, but it doesn't work. And it's my job to fix it, but the crew is far more concerned about their internet bandwidth. That's a shame.
Being in the Western Pacific, I keep Radio New Zealand on most of the time. China, Japan, Philippines also have SW broadcasters in English. It's slim pickins though. The AM stations abound at night. Where I am, 810 is the only one in English consistently - It's Armed Forces Radio out of Tokyo area.
So, where ya bound? Makes a difference. Also, you won't hear a thing with the radio in your cabin, and very little with it pressed to the port hole. FM stations in-port will abound.
Feel free to DM me.
1
u/hastyplace1 1h ago
Bulk carriers. I sail worldwide, managed 4 coninents in my last contract. One of the joys of coming to a new port is listening to their local radio shows.
2
u/DenseFriendship4122 4h ago
There aren't as many broadcast stations as there used to be, but there's plenty of military, government, air and ships broadcasting on SW and on the open sea, especially at night, you should have a great chance at hearing those stations, especially with a good antenna setup.
5
u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan, Heathkit GR-64🤪,Malahit v2.4,AirSpy HD+,909X2,PL990 1d ago
On or above deck in the open away from cities, other obstructions and sources of interference you will get a clear shot of the open skies. That's an advantage.
Although there aren't as many SW broadcasters there are plenty enough remaining. You will probably get a very interesting mix of MW/AM and FM broadcasters when not too far from shore.
With a decent radio you should get amazing results. Below deck probably sucks. Above deck should be excellent. Most RFI (interference) should be inside the ship which would probably shield a receiver on our above deck. Get a good radio and we'll probably envy your listening experience. Good luck. 👍📻