{"id":9153,"date":"2014-04-03T09:37:53","date_gmt":"2014-04-03T13:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=9153"},"modified":"2014-04-04T17:20:55","modified_gmt":"2014-04-04T21:20:55","slug":"traveling-light-swling-right-the-best-shortwave-radios-for-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/traveling-light-swling-right-the-best-shortwave-radios-for-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling light, SWLing right: the best shortwave radios for travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article originally appeared in the March 2014 issue of The Spectrum Monitor Magazine<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\"SWL<\/a><\/p>\n

With spring around the corner, my thoughts drift toward the outdoors…and especially, toward travel. Those who know me know that I love travelling, anywhere and everywhere\u2013and that I prefer to travel light, with only one bag. In fact, I can easily live for two weeks out of a convertible shoulderbag\/backpack (the Timbuk2 Wingman<\/a>\"\") that\u2019s so compact, I can fit it under the the seat of even the smallest, most restrictive aircraft. I never have to check luggage unless the nature of my travel requires extra supplies (I run Ears To Our World<\/a>, a non-profit that donates radios and other technologies to powerless regions in the developing world).<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My Timbuk2 Small Wingman is very compact, yet holds everything I need for two weeks (or more!) of travel.<\/p><\/div>\n

So, why not pack everything you could possibly ever want on a journey? \u00a0While this remains an option, travelling light has many advantages over the take-it-all traveler\u2019s method. First, it gives one incredible freedom, especially when travelling by air or train. \u00a0I never have to worry about being among the first to be seated in an aircraft, nor do I worry about my luggage not making a connection when I do. \u00a0Second, it\u2019s kinder on the back and shoulders, and easier to maneuver wherever I go\u2013no wheels required\u2013whether in a busy first-world airport or bustling third-world street market. \u00a0Third, I always have my most important gear right there with me. \u00a0And finally (I must admit) I find light travel to be fun, an entertaining challenge; the looks on friends\u2019 faces when they meet me at the airport to \u201chelp\u201d with my luggage is, frankly, priceless. \u00a0Seeing me hop off a flight with my small shoulder bag, friends ask in bewilderment, \u201cWhere\u2019s your stuff?\u201d It\u2019s music to my ears.<\/p>\n

You would think that having such self-imposed restrictions on travel\u2013carrying a small, light bag\u2013would make it nearly impossible to travel with radio. On the contrary! \u00a0Radio is requisite, in my book\u2013er, bag. \u00a0I carry a surprising amount of gear in my small bag: \u00a0once at an airport security checkpoint, an inspector commented, \u201cIt\u2019s like you have the contents of a Radio Shack in here\u2013!\u201d But more significantly, each piece\u2013and radio\u2013is carefully selected to give me the best performance, durability, versatility, and reliability.<\/p>\n

So what do I look for in a travel radio? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n

\"SWL<\/a><\/p>\n

Travel Radio Features<\/h2>\n
\"While<\/a>

The CountyComm GP5DSP has three different ways of auto tuning stations quickly, an alarm function and the display will even indicate the current temperature. Its unique vertical, thin body might be easier to pack at times, depending on your travel gear.<\/p><\/div>\n

In a travel shortwave radio, I search for features I wouldn\u2019t necessarily pick for home use, where I\u2019m mainly concerned with raw performance. I don\u2019t want to carry an expensive receiver while traveling, either: $100.00 US is usually my maximum. This way, if I accidently break the radio (or my gear gets stolen), I won\u2019t feel like I\u2019m out very much money. \u00a0I also prioritize features that benefit a traveler, of course; here are some that I look for:<\/p>\n