Originally Posted by Domino

I have been listening to these things for more than 50 years, so remember valves and crystals, but a reasonable short wave set really opens things up beyond the normal European boundaries, although for a few days of no telly it can prove to get you out of the house with the mind if not the body.
Most airlines still use HF (short wave) for transatlantic conversations with aircraft - but again you need reasonable frequency discrimination.

you will probably need to have a better aerial, but thats another story.