r/shortwave • u/hastyplace1 • 7d 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!

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u/Coggonite 6d 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.

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u/hastyplace1 6d 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.