Your idea of how we should listen to, watch or read "media" sounds like too much work to me. I fail to see why it shouldn't be a "passive", a.k.a. simple and relaxing activity. One of the problems I have with the net and the new technology is exactly that it's TOO "interactive", and as such, too BUSY. Lying back with a zine, magazine or paperback is simplicity itself and that's why one reason I like them so much. So far they're not too complicated, but when I first saw the "interactive" DVD's with there "menu options", I groaned. Another silly techno-gimmick to complicate things. The on/off switch, play, FF, RW were more than good enough for me. I never learned how to "program" my VCR and I doubt it would have been worth the trouble to. So far, DVD's are simple enough, and I hope they don't try to make them more "interactive".
I see nothing wrong with turning on the radio or TV as background, e.g. while getting ready for work in the morning or doing some task. If you hear something interesting, then you stop and watch it. Keeping myself company with backround talk or music is something I like to do now and then, as long as it's not too boring or obnoxious---which, sadly, it often is.
Zine enthusiasts at least point newcomers interested in zines to Zine World or whatever happens to be the main review zine. They don't just say, "Hey, you're on your own.
Whaddaya want? Me to lead you by the hand and SHOW you where to get zines. You'll have to do a little WORK if you want any." Why don't free radio enthusiasts have something like Zine World. ZW has simple straight forward addresses of zines and advice on how to go about getting them. Shortwave enthusiasts need to have something similar. Something simple, direct and demystifying---CHANNEL NUMBERS, DAYS AND TIMES. (See P.S. below)
I bought a mail order antenna years ago, called a "ClearVue". It was touted as being some kind of miracle device that would radically boost analog TV reception. I had some trouble understanding how to connect it, and actually gave up, thinking it was impossible. I've taken another look at it though and I think I might be able to. Problem is, my VC Player and the antenna as far as I can see can't be connected at the same time. I recently bought a used TV for $50, a 90's Magnavox, and with that I'll do some experiments, and maybe see what I can do with picking up pirate broadcasts. The possibility of success with that I think seems very remote, but I'll let you know how I do with it.
I finally got my handcrank TV from Heartland America out of the box---The Weather Channel Stormtracker, by Vector Products, made in China. It doesn't have any attachments for an antenna, but a single built-in one. (Of course this isn't the fault of the manufacturer, but I've just about broken off every antenna on every radio I've ever had. At some point I don't notice it's extended as I'm moving it around amid all the clutter, and manange to bend or break it.)
I turned the crank on this one a while, but didn't get a thing. It has both AC and DC adapters, so I guess I'll try them next. I may tinker with it now and then as time allows and see if I get anything in the future.
I'm not saying I'm giving up, but if all this shortwave, pirate stuff is as much and as constant work as the computer and the net are, I'm not sure if it's worth it. But I'll keep tinkering with it as I have the time.
James N. Dawson
P.S.--While looking for the address for your blogspot I came across your 4-8-07 e-mail to me giving me some shortwave numbers and times to tune in, as well
www.outfarpress.com. So my apologies for whining about not getting any info. I'll try to tune in this weekend to the stations you provided and I'll tell you what happens. I'll also check out and probably print some relevant pages from OutFar to look over.
