Stock photo of an old shortwave radio receiver showing the names of all the countries' services that can be received, with dozens of different cities and nations written all over the dial.

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1. Fedi.Tips (feditips@mstdn.social)'s status on Friday, 04-Mar-2022 23:32:10 UTC Fedi.Tips

   Okay, something a bit different today:

   The internet grew up relatively unrestricted, but now governments are blocking it ever more tightly. Putin blocks Tor, for example.

   We perhaps need a "Plan B" for following world events, just in case things go really bad.

   I'd like to introduce you to #ShortwaveRadio

   Before the internet and satellite, #shortwave #radio used to be the most popular way to follow the whole world's media in real time. Every country had its own transmitter, and the dial was full of place names (see the attached photo).

   Most services shut down due to the internet, but some are coming back. The BBC just reactivated its shortwave Ukrainian service, for example.

   Shortwave radios are very simple and low power, they need just a couple of AA batteries, some even have handcrank power. A basic model costs about €30 / $30, and lets you pick up broadcasts from around the globe.

   I'd suggest getting one and putting it in storage. You never know when it might be useful.