Things You'll Need:
- Deep-cycle Battery
- ARRL Study Material
- 12-V Battery Chargers
- Antenna Coaxes
- Ground Wires
- Shortwave Radio Receivers
- UTC Clocks
- Morse-code Instruction Software
- Aluminum Push-up Pole
- Corrosion-preventive Sprays
- Ropes
- Electric Drill/assorted Bits
- Electrical Testers
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Nut Drivers
- Pulleys
- Slotted Screwdrivers
- Soldering Guns/irons
- Wire Nippers
- Wire-insulation Strippers
- Needle-nose Pliers
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Step 1
Subscribe to a magazine for SWLs (shortwave radio listeners).
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Step 2
Subscribe to an SWL e-mail discussion list.
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Step 3
Join an SWL club.
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Step 4
Check frequency lists for major shortwave broadcasters like the BBC and Radio Netherlands.
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Step 5
Follow the news. For example, if there's a crisis in Africa, listen to Radio South Africa and other regional broadcasters.
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Step 6
Listen for any long-range military communications that are sent in the clear on high frequencies.
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Step 7
Remember that intermixed on the bands are communications from ships at sea and other interesting commercial traffic.
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Step 8
Spend time simply tuning around the bands.
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Step 9
Tune the international bands between 5.9 and 17.9 MHz regularly.
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Step 10
Establish a log of stations heard for ready reference.
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Step 11
Keep a 24-hour display clock set to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) near your SWL receiver. All time references in shortwave radio are expressed in UTC.
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Step 12
Consider learning Morse code.
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Step 13
Listen at different times of the day and night - lower frequencies during the night and higher frequencies during the day. For example, more stations broadcast around 6 MHz during nighttime hours.
