DownTheRoad.org
The continuous bicycle touring story since 2002
no plans to stop

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The story of how I saved money, quit my job, sold my possessions, and set off to endlessly travel by bike around the world. My Plan

My 3 Books
I write, self publish and sell books about touring

(see all 3 book)

HOME
Where am I?
Videos
Picture Gallery
Journals
Travel Plan
Finances
Shopping
Equipment
My Books
About Me
Media/Press Room
Contact

Photo Use Info

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Places I have been
(How can I afford this?)

India and Neighbors
May 2010 to present

Alaska / Canada / USA
May 2008 to April 2010

New Zealand
Sept 2007 to May 2008

Australia
Sept 2006 to Sept 2007

SE Asia / China
Nov 2004 to Sept 2006

South America
June 2003 to June 2004

AZ, Mexico, and Central America
March 2002 to April 2003

How I started
The 5 years before I left

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Written on the road as I travel around the world on my bicycle

*Help Support this Web Site and Continue My Travels.

Equipment Pages Index

Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advice About Advice
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers
(See more about Sponsorship)

START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Custom Touring Bicycles and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide
Bicycle Touring Frames
The Steel Repair Myth.
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs

Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Kickstands
Sealed Cartridge Headsets
How to prevent flat tires
Bike Route Trails and Maps

Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter
First Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp

Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts

Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3
Bicycle touring lights

Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping

See My Videos Here

Shortwave Radios and Multi World Band Radio Frequency Guide

This seems like the old high tech toy but it is one of the most useful things that I carry. Without my portable Shortwave radio bringing me news every day I would be clueless about world news and information back in the USA.

I have read several books and websites about people who have traveled throughout the world and there was one reoccurring topic - most had or wanted a shortwave radio. It is a very practical thing, the shortwave radio as it allows you to listen to news in English (or any other language) from anywhere in the world. I have just bought my first Shortwave radio and it has as many buttons as the camcorder. I am surprised by how complicated it is. It is just a radio after all. No CD player or mp3 capabilities.

I kind of get the idea of how it works but I believe that there is a lot more to it than I have currently figured out. Hopefully, sooner or later, I will bump into someone that will show me all of it. What I know now is limited. I am trying to find programs that I can pick up clearly in my current location. I have a few favorites but I am always looking for more clear stations. I think that I need a good schedule. I had several good books about Shortwave radios and listening schedules but I ran out of time before I left and never really got to study them much. I wish that I had because as far as I can tell this makes all of the difference. Now that I am on the road I am having a hard time finding information.

I would like to know of a good website that lists the schedules and possibly how to use my radio better. I would also like to know what frequencies I should be trying in order to receive good English news and other entertaining programs. Because of my limited surfing time on the internet I have not been able to come up with much information on my own. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone out there would email me with any helpful information especially some good programs to try out. Of course I need times and frequencies the most but any help or advice would go a long way

**Grundig Mini 300 Shortwave Radio**
Click to purchase.	At 4.7 ounces, here's a must-have radio for any outing! This pocket-sized, but power-packed receiver plays AM, FM and seven shortwave bands. Includes: batteries, ear buds, protective case, owner's manual and shortwave listening guide. LCD screen displays all the information you need at a glance, indicating radio band, frequency, time and alarm status. More than just a radio, alarm function allows you to wake to your favorite station. Tune-in to the world from wherever you are; large LCD screen and long telescoping antenna offer easy tuning and great reception. Two AA batteries supply hours of use. Buy HERE

**Grundig FR200 Emergency Shortwave Radio**
Click to purchase.	This self-powered emergency radio will keep you informed and entertained when a storm knocks out your power. No need to buy batteries! Simply flip out the side hand-crank and give it a quick 60 turns for an hour of battery-free listening. Built-in emergency light is also powered by the rechargeable hand-crank battery. Four-band tuning features FM/AM and two shortwave options (3.2 - 7.6 MHz and 9.2 - 22.0 MHz). Analog tuning features a separate fine-tune dial to zero-in on a finicky signal. Telescoping antenna for SW/FM reception; internal antenna for AM reception. Comes with a durable nylon case with shoulder strap. Will also operate on three AA batteries, not included. Buy HERE

Below are some notes that I have taken on programs but most of these frequencies no longer work for me.

BBC World News for Salta, Argentina (Local Time)
06:00 - 09:00 @ 15190
08:00 - 11:00 @ 17790
18:00 - 21:00 @ 12095
21:00 - 00:00 @ 12095 & 9825
VOA for South America has a lot less programming
21:00 - 23:00 @ 5995, 6130, 7405, 9455, 9775, 11695 and 13790
(you lose the last 3 stations after 22:30)
Two Commercial Stations that broadcast via shortwave from the USA:
WRMI - Radio Miami (English & Spanish) @ 7385, 9955 and 15725
WBCQ - The Planet @ 5105, 7415, 9330 and 17495
The link shown below will let you search by Program Type and Day, I know you don't have very good Internet connections so a search will be difficult. If you will tell me what kind of programming your looking for I can do some searches for you.
anarc.org/naswa/swlguide/