Shortwave Global Reach explores the history, technology, and enduring importance of shortwave radio. This medium has connected people across borders for nearly a century. The book highlights shortwave's unique ability to transcend geographical limitations and remain crucial for news dissemination, especially in areas with limited internet access.
The book delves into the fundamental scientific principles behind shortwave technology, explaining how radio waves propagate through the ionosphere to achieve global reach. The book's approach is comprehensive, beginning with core technical and historical concepts before dedicating chapters to major themes. It examines the use of shortwave for news dissemination by international broadcasters such as the Voice of America, and its role in emergency communications during natural disasters. It also addresses the controversies surrounding shortwave radio, such as its use for propaganda.
Shortwave Global Reach is a work of technology and history that combines factual accuracy, technical explanation, and historical context to appeal to technology enthusiasts, history buffs, and those interested in the power of communication. The book progresses through chapters that cover the technology's origins, its use during wartime and the Cold War, and its current status. It emphasizes the resilience of shortwave in situations where internet access is limited or censored. The book wraps up with a discussion of the future of shortwave, considering challenges and opportunities for innovation.
