This cheap radio simply works.It can only receive strong signal of international stations. It has poor nearby station rejection.This radio has very poor sensitivity in all bands. For example, I live in San Francisco and I was unable to receive KLIV1590 a San Jose station. The nearby strong station 1550 just overwhelms the signal. Shortwave major bands 19m, 25m, 31m, 49m all have poor reception.I will NOT recommend this radio for everyone who like to listen to shortwave program. But I will consider that this is an earthquake prevention radio since it has very light weight and can receive local stations.