Shortwave radio has amazing properties allowing world-wide communications. Its been in use since Marconi made his first transmissions. Many millions of people tune into shortwave radio everyday to hear broadcasts from the USA, Russia, China, Canada, the UK and a host of other world locations. It is also used by radio amateurs who communicate with each other over vast distances and at times of national emergency, it acts as a backup communications network, which is vital to us all. It is a way of life for many who may be housebound, those who wish to keep in touch with events from their home country or who enjoy learning about language and traditions from other countries.