During dinner tonight, my mom and I talked about current events and the possibility of an EMP. We currently own a shortwave radio, but my mom suggested that it would be a good idea for everyone to have one. What are your thoughts on this? Do you believe that everyone should have a shortwave radio?

Jeanette Isabelle

I’m a radio nerd. I’m an active ham radio operator, have a GMRS license and train others on emergency communications regularly. Predictably I have a bunch of radios, many of them that can receive shortwave broadcasts.

Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a lot of shortwave broadcast radio that has been interesting to me. While I’m a fan of having a one, it would be a lower priority for me in the “communications” group than a good local AM/FM receiver and communications with your neighbors. If your space, financial or other constraints keep you from having all the radios you want, my suggestion is that shortwave be last on your list.

You can easily get a receiver that covers shortwave and local broadcast, of course. One of my favorite radios is the now-discontinued Kenwood TH-F6A, which is a VHF and UHF ham radio transceiver. It also receives AM, FM and broadcast radio. It’s small and easy to carry — I keep one in my laptop bag.

For a while I thought I could use SW radio to get news from BBC World Service when the local FM/AM stations are down. But then I learned that BBC and most broadcasters have stepped away from SW in favor of internet radio. It's not the 1960s anymore. Whodathunkit? So what I can reliably get in my region? Mostly religious stuff. So I decided not to spend the money.

If someone is going to broadcast in a desaster scenario, a shortwave radio might be useful. For the EMP scenario it should be an oldfashioned glow in the dark radio or have a shielded storage. OTOH an EMP might fry the equipment of potential braodcasters as well.
In Germany there is a government agency responsible for desaster managment and providing information about preparing for citizens. They recommend having a shortwave radio - preferably with a dynamo charger - too.
As a HAM operator I own a shortwave radio with dynamo charger and a couple of other items capable of receiving SW.

Not needed. Had one as a kid in the 90s, was a novelty for a week.

Sorry, but listening to the BBC after an earthquake in CA wasn't particularly relevant.

To stay connected in case of an EMP, shortwave radio is necessary. Local broadcasters may be affected, but those from other parts of the world will still be accessible.

Jeanette Isabelle

Did you still have access to local broadcasts?

Jeanette Isabelle

Well, I listen to BBC ***WORLD SERVICE*** not for local news, but for international news. During hurricanes & blackouts, I often have time on my hands. Since I already listen to BBC anyway, why not catch up on cricket through SW, I thought, not realizing SW is no longer supported.

I recommend international news services like Radio France, Deutsche Welle, Kyodo News, etc. for a different view of the world. For example, US news sources tend not to cover Africa, but BBC does (esp. former British colonies).

I thought BBC restarted SW broadcasts due to the Ukraine war.

Pretty sure there were no local broadcasts, even in normal times. But you're talking 30 years ago, in Los Angeles.

I guess that's something for you to figure- do your locals broadcast? What are you trying to gain from a shortwave?