General Shortwave Answers

Question: What are birdies?

Answer: Birdies are the products of internally generated signals that make some frequencies difficult or impossible to receive. If you program a birdie frequency, you hear only noise on that frequency. The most common birdies to watch for are:

450 kHz
3,844 kHz
9,000 kHz
10,250 kHz
18,000 kHz
20,490 kHz
21,835 kHz
21,868 kHz

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Question: I am getting interference with my signal; what could be causing it?

Answer: Interference from devices such as dimmer switches and motors and atmospheric conditions can disrupt shortwave listening. You can minimize interference by moving the receiver away from the source of noise, or turning off the offending device. Shortwave stations sometimes change their operating frequency to avoid interfering with other stations, to improve reception during different seasons, or to take advantage of signal propagation changes due to sun spots. For this reason, a given station might not be found on the frequency listed in memory. Reception of these stations can also be affected by rapid changes in the ionosphere. Sometimes the station you are listening to might fade out in the ionosphere. Sometimes the station you are listening to might fade out completely. These occurrences are normal shortwave listening conditions.

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Question: My radio cannot get some AM stations; why?

Answer: This is normal; the station may be too weak. You should try adjusting the antenna or using an external antenna.

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Question: How do I improve low frequency reception between 150 and 340 MHz?

Answer: These frequencies fall in the Longwave Band. The reception in this band is better at night; we suggest that you try using radio after sunset. Also, you should try adjusting the antenna or using an external antenna.

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