IPod, laptop and other devices now connect people to each other and also to audio content. You can hear in real time and with no noise just about any radio show you want. This means no fading of signals. Somehow for an older guy like me that seems odd.
I grew up listening to shortwave radio when I was at my grandma's home and also at my aunt's home. I found it really interesting to listen to the BBC, Radio Canada and other stations from around the world. I also heard morse code, CW as ham and other users call it on a regular basis. In fact it's funny knowing that probably somewhere in the world someone listening on such a radio has heard me key as I work a station using the code. I know this because I have actually gotten report cards, called QSL's from people who have heard me on the air most have been voice or SSB as we radio types call it.
While it ma be cool to listen to the in studio signal of a broadcaster it's even more interesting to listen to what is known as off air signals.
I found some places on the net where you can find stations to listen to if of course you have a shortwave radio and even if you do not you can listen to off air signals online.
Prime Time Shortwave has a list of stations that you can check out from around the globe. The list can be looked in many forms from frequency to a listing of each country and who broadcasts from there.
I did not read the article, but it's worth noting that
Wikipedia has one on shortwave radio.
If you are just beginning to try SWLing, check this site out
http://www.swling.com/
And, if you can not get your own radio use this site to listen to stations off air
http://www.globaltuners.com/
Oh yes Gooooogle. Shortwave radio for more on the subject.
Happy listening.
C. T.