This article is from the Shortwave radio FAQ, by Ralph Brandi rbrandi@lucent.com with numerous contributions by others.
From a purely technical point of view, shortwave radio refers to those
frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz. Their main characteristic is their ability
to "propagate" for long distances, making possible such worldwide
communications as international broadcasting and coordination of long-distance
shipping.
From a social point of view, shortwave radio is a way to find out what the
rest of the world thinks is important. Many countries broadcast to the world
in English, making it easy to find out what a given country's position is on
those things it finds important. Shortwave radio can also provide a way to
eavesdrop on the everyday workings of international politics and commerce.
 
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