# Digital short-wave radio: how much better is it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-short-wave-radio-how-much-better-is-it/150375 "2003-01-23T04:16:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-short-wave-radio-how-much-better-is-it/150375/1 "2003-01-23T04:16:18Z")
In recent weeks, I’ve been hearing talk about digital short-wave radios. If these radios are indeed digital, does that mean the received stations are free from the static and other aggravating anomalies traditionally associated with short wave? Is the reception better (more far reaching)? Clearer? What’s the scoop? ---
**Author:** ![LIONsob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/76d3ee/32.png) [@LIONsob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LIONsob)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-short-wave-radio-how-much-better-is-it/150375/2 "2003-01-23T05:54:56Z")
Most likely they are talking about digital tuning (PLL or phase loop lock). I am a Ham radio operator and I do a fair amount of listening on the shortwave broadcast bands and have not heard any thing about the international broadcasters transmiting digital audio,nor has there been talk of it among the hams on the local VHF/UHF repeaters. The very popular 40 meter band is shared between Hams in North America and shortwave broadcasters in the rest of the world and a switch to digital by the broadcaster would raise a firestorm of protest by Ham radio operators. Peace LIONsob AKA KC5LNN ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-short-wave-radio-how-much-better-is-it/150375/3 "2003-01-23T06:04:52Z")
I presume they are referring to the concept of digital broadcasting on a shortwave frequency. I’ll spare the details, since the resources below do it better. To sum it up, yes. But how you may think. > [@](#): > > Yes, there is an international development going on to replace the traditional AM (amplitude modulation) broadcast on LW, MW, and SW (long, medium and short wave) bands by easy to receive, clear and better sounding digital transmission. > [@](#): > > With near-FM quality sound that offers a dramatic improvement over analogue AM, DRM will revitalize the AM broadcasting bands below 30 MHz in markets worldwide. [http://www.drm.org/whydigital/globwhats.htm](http://www.drm.org/whydigital/globwhats.htm) may be of most interest to you. [http://it.e-technik.uni-ulm.de/DSW/](http://it.e-technik.uni-ulm.de/DSW/) [http://www.drm.org/indexdeuz.htm](http://www.drm.org/indexdeuz.htm) – KF6BDF ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-short-wave-radio-how-much-better-is-it/150375/4 "2003-01-23T10:50:45Z")
Digital radio sounds very good (cannot tell it apart from CD, but I am not a good judge). It is up and running in the UK. cannot tell you what reception is like as i I have only heard it in the shops