I have always been interested in Radio and electronics, in the days before the internet I enjoyed listening through an earpiece to far flung stations (trainspotter like).
I was interested in news and current affairs, and back then there were many european particularly central and eastern european radio stations, now not so much but a lot of chinese broadcasting on SW.
While studying Physics in Maynooth I took the option to do an Amateur Radio Course, and nigh on 12 years later took the Comreg/Irish Radio Transmitters Society run Examination and got the Licence and Call Sign ei5gab.
In recent years many stations have been switched off on the AM frequencies.
One consequence is some of the frequencies are a little clearer, although interference from other electronic devices is considerable. A few countries like Norway, are looking at closing down FM stations in the short term.
Medium Wave Channels www.mwradio.eu
Medium and Long Wave Channels www.mediumwaveradio.com
Short Wave Frequencies www.short-wave.info
Ham Radio Ireland Information www.hamradio.ie
Comreg Radio Amateurs www.comreg.ie
Radio Society of Great Britain rsgb.org