Reddit mentions of Tecsun PL-600 AM/FM/LW SSB Shortwave Radio, Black

Instead of the R820T, I suggest the R820T2 which has improved sensitivity and noise characteristics.

For DXing (long distance), you can get a shortwave receiver with SSB for under $100 (example). If you want to transmit back to those stations you would require a HF transceiver and a ham license (in the US, General-class is recommended). You can get a 1980s-vintage model used for $250-350. Or a new one like the FT-450 for $650-700. Also required for a transceiver would be a power supply or 12V battery, an antenna, and possibly an antenna tuner.

I used to in a reasonably packed area of San Fransisco, and most nights I was able to receive Radio Havana Cuba(6100khz),CHU on 7850KHz, WWV/WWVH(5MHz&10MHz), Radio New Zealand International, and Radio China International with the indoor longwire antenna with a $30 homemade set. More recently I bought the Tesun PL 600 from amazon(~75USD) and I think its a capable receiver. The active antenna of the PL600 allows me to pick up quite a bit of Broadcast Shortwave. In addition the PL600 has SSB(single side band) which allows me to listen to ham traffic(My favorite bands are 40Meters and 80Meters) as well as CW(Morse code). In addition once and a while you can find traffic on HF ATC frequencies which is cool. Outdoor antennas do help a lot, but just going to the park with a portable receiver should reduce any interference. These bands are useable globally and the mountains should not be an issue. Since you are not transmitting, a long strand of wire, or the dipole included on the portable radio itself should be enough! If you have any questions feel free to ask!

if you like computers and software, you should look into wideband SDR, which is like this but using your own equipment and antennas. Its fairly simple to get started nowadays, with a PC/ RTL SDR / HF Upconverter.

This is the Radio I bought, the Tesun PL 600, there are probably better out there but for SSB at the time it was the cheapest.

this is very similar to the circuit I constructed for my first shortwave receiver if you are into DIY.

You will have more luck with a portable shortwave receiver than any typical walkie-talkie type amateur transceiver.

Such as: Tecsun PL-600 AM/FM/LW SSB Shortwave Radio, Black Tecsun https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESUOMFW/

I just remember randomly reading somewhere that 14070hz is pretty much universally PSK31 around the world. I think alot of HAM user's usually use that or RTTY. Plus of course CW or "morse code". I've also seen Hellschreiber used a few times (you know on news channels that show stock prices going across the bottom of the screen? sortof like this It's basically like in the old days, a printer would print out on a thin piece of paper to update stock at remote locations. They use Hellschriber as the transmission method). Though it's been awhile.


Also if you're REALLY lucky you can capture SSTV color images being sent over radio. I haven't caught one yet but i'm probably just not looking around the right frequencies. They have a very specific tone though. You can try it out for fun though if you have the first Portal game. They had an easter egg of some sort using SSTV. Like this


The "closest" i've been able to capture images was just some weather map lol. In black and white but it was something. But! This was off my own radio i got off of Amazon. The Tecsun PL-600 (I wrote a super long but probably boring review on Amazon's page, under the name Mobius there if you want to read it). It was pretty cool though. I saved an image of it.


Imgur


I sometimes need help seeing it too :p