Choose a shortwave radio for news when local stations go quiet
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Quick answer
A shortwave radio picks up long-distance broadcasts that travel far beyond local AM and FM range. C. Crane's CC Skywave SSB 2 covers shortwave from 1711 to 29,999 kHz with single sideband (SSB), plus AM, FM, NOAA weather with alert and VHF aviation, and comes with a 23 ft reel antenna. The CC Skywave 2 covers 2300 to 26,100 kHz without SSB. Both run about 60 to 70 hours on two AA batteries and weigh about 6 oz without batteries.
- C. Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 (SSB2). Best for: Emergency listening, including single sideband. See options on Amazon
- C. Crane CC Skywave 2 (SKWV2). Best for: Travel and everyday world-band listening. See options on Amazon
Why a shortwave radio
Shortwave signals bounce off the upper atmosphere and can travel across countries and oceans, so a shortwave receiver can pull in broadcasts from far away when local stations are off the air. C. Crane says single sideband is a reliable way to get long-range information after an earthquake or hurricane, when normal communications are down.
Both Skywave models are receivers only; they cannot transmit. For two-way radio, see our ham radio guide.
The two Skywave radios compared
| Feature | Skywave SSB 2 | Skywave 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Shortwave range | 1711-29,999 kHz | 2300-26,100 kHz |
| Single sideband | Yes | No |
| Also covers | AM, FM, NOAA weather + alert, VHF aviation | AM, FM, NOAA weather + alert, VHF aviation |
| Memories | 400 | 400 |
| Reel antenna | Included | Not included |
| Battery life (2 AA) | About 60-70 hours | About 60-70 hours |
Figures are C. Crane's. Both list 6.0 oz without batteries.
Single sideband: who needs it
Single sideband (SSB) is a way of transmitting voice used by ham operators, ships and aircraft on long-range frequencies. A regular shortwave radio turns SSB into garbled noise; an SSB radio lets you tune it clearly. C. Crane says the SSB 2 tunes SSB to 10 Hz resolution.
If you want to listen to amateur radio nets or marine and aviation traffic during an emergency, pick the SSB 2. If you mainly want world news and music broadcasts, the Skywave 2 is enough.
Antennas and reception
Both radios have a shortwave antenna jack. C. Crane says the jack can significantly improve shortwave reception with an external antenna. The SSB 2 includes a 23 ft reel antenna and the wire terminal adapter; for the Skywave 2, C. Crane says the adapter is sold separately.
Reception is usually best outdoors or near a window, and at night for many shortwave bands.
Weather alert and aviation
Both radios cover NOAA weather radio with an alert function. When the alert is turned on, the radio monitors the weather channel and sounds an alert when the National Weather Service sends one. Both also cover the VHF aviation band, and C. Crane says 10 aviation memories can be scanned for activity.
For a dedicated bedside alert radio, see our weather radio guide.
Power and battery life
C. Crane lists about 70 hours on earbuds and 60 hours on the built-in speaker from two AA alkaline batteries, which are not included. Both have a USB power input, and C. Crane says the SSB 2 supports in-circuit charging of optional AA NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Keep a sealed pack of AA batteries with the radio so it is ready in an outage.
Getting started
Both radios have direct frequency entry and an auto scan and store function, so you can type in a known station or let the radio find active frequencies and save them to its 400 memories. C. Crane also publishes a shortwave frequency list on its site and a quick guide to single sideband listening.
Practice before you need it: find a few reliable stations at different times of day, save them to memory and note them on a card kept with the radio.
Which one to buy
For a preparedness kit, the CC Skywave SSB 2 covers the most: full shortwave range, SSB, weather alert, aviation and the reel antenna in the box. Pick the CC Skywave 2 if you mostly travel and listen to broadcast stations and do not need SSB.
What to look for when you buy
C. Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 (SSB2)
Best for: Emergency listening, including single sideband
C. Crane lists AM, FM, NOAA weather with alert, shortwave from 1711 to 29,999 kHz with single sideband tuned to 10 Hz resolution, and VHF aviation with 10 scannable memories. It has 400 memories, a shortwave antenna jack, and includes a 23 ft shortwave reel antenna, earbuds and a case.
Watch out: C. Crane lists about 70 hours on earbuds and 60 on the speaker from two AA batteries; carry spares.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)C. Crane CC Skywave 2 (SKWV2)
Best for: Travel and everyday world-band listening
C. Crane lists AM, FM, NOAA weather with alert, shortwave from 2300 to 26,100 kHz and VHF aviation, 400 memories, a lighted display, clock and alarm, and a shortwave antenna jack. Earbuds and a carry case are included.
Watch out: No single sideband, and C. Crane says the wire antenna adapter for the jack is sold separately.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What is a shortwave radio good for in an emergency?
- Shortwave broadcasts travel long distances, so you can hear news from far away when local stations are down. C. Crane says single sideband is a reliable way to get long-range information after earthquakes or hurricanes.
- Do I need a license for a shortwave radio?
- These radios only receive and cannot transmit. Licenses apply to transmitting, such as ham radio.
- What is the difference between Skywave SSB 2 and Skywave 2?
- The SSB 2 adds single sideband and wider shortwave coverage (1711 to 29,999 kHz versus 2300 to 26,100 kHz) and includes a reel antenna.
- How long do the batteries last?
- C. Crane lists about 70 hours on earbuds and 60 hours on the speaker from two AA alkaline batteries.
Sources
- CC Skywave SSB 2 (ccrane.com), C. Crane
- CC Skywave 2 (ccrane.com), C. Crane