The Secret Service certainly uses shortwave on a variety of frequencies, both for long distance and as VHF/UHF backups. In fact, they're not hard to pick up and they're unencrypted. You hear all kinds of funny stuff there, including the code names used for officials. The Air Force uses SW too, as does the FAA. ("Monitoring Times" magazine has a column devoted to milcom every month.)

The Collins are worth quite a bit in good condition. There is an active market for them and replacement tubes.