Some developing countries use shortwave as a means of receiving local and regional programming . China and Russia retransmits some domestic channels on shortwave that target listeners in far off provinces . Shortwave listening is also used as an educational tool in classrooms . Poor sound reproduction , unreliable signal quality , and inflexibility of access are seen as disadvantages . Some humanitarian organizations like '' Ears to Our World '' distribute portable , self-powered shortwave radios to less developed parts of the globe , enabling people in remote , impoverished parts of the world to get educational programming , local and international news , emergency information and music . Recently , the group was involved in sending radios to Haiti so victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake could stay abreast of local disaster recovery efforts
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Shortwave listening