I am licensed as well (Extra). What most overlook about shortwave/HF comms for preparedness is that the real value is in single sideband (SSB) transmissions. Yes, broadcast shortwave isn't what it was 30 years ago. But being able to hear SSB from amateur/pirate/emergency transmitters is valuable. In a regional emergency, amateur radio operators will utilize NVIS antenna arrangements to mitigate the skip effect and send info much closer to home.

When shopping for a shortwave receiver, get one that handles SSB, such as the TecSun PL-660 or the amazingly compact Crane Skywave SSB2.



Buy a radio like the C.Crane Skywave SSB2 and you'll get FM/AM/NOAA weather/aviation/shortwave SSB in a superbly compact package with it's own longwire antenna for the shortwave. It will be perfectly at home in your EDC or get-home bag, and it runs on a couple of AA batteries. It will be a better radio than most for the common bands, and you'll have access to SSB shortwave. Easy.

Hand a person who knows nothing about radio, SSB, AM, FM, whatever, a SW radio or an FM Radio.

Tell them to find a broadcast. I’ll wait.

Look, I’ve messed with HF, and the term hams use “working” a band or mode is 100% true. It’s work. Yes, you can dial around and hear something with ordinary SW, but I’ll go to the evidence in the case of recent and real major widespread emergencies (Hurricane Sandy, West Coast Wildfires, Blackout in Puerto Rico) and I can’t find anything where SW radio as a broadcast medium was used to communicate with the general populace.

Hand a person who knows nothing about a fire lay, how to prep tinder, how to find natural tinder, how to shield a fire from wind, etc a ferro rod, Bic, or propane torch.

Tell them to start an effective fire. I'll wait.

You know the rest.

Learn something about a skill, or God forbid practice that skill by working it?! Heaven forfend! Too much effort.

It's easier to just read posts on internet survival forums and call it good.

The problem with the SW radio is that it is not that obvious that you may need some knowledge and actual practice for operation. The expectation is that the radio is basically plug and play. For many it is just throw in your BOB and call it prepared. I am willing to help people in real live on that topic. Some do not need help. Those how would are mostly in he line of "It´s a radio. Turn a knob and it makes a sound. How hard can that be?".