From a purely technical point of view, shortwave radio refers to those
frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz. Their main characteristic is their
ability
to "propagate" for long distances, making possible such worldwide
communications as international broadcasting and coordination of
long-distance
shipping.

From a social point of view, shortwave radio is a way to find out what the
rest of the world thinks is important. Many countries broadcast to the
world
in English, making it easy to find out what a given country's position is on
those things it finds important. Shortwave radio can also provide a way to
eavesdrop on the everyday workings of international politics and commerce.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/radio/monit...shortwave-faq/

Hopefully these guidelines will be born in mind by those who post to this
group.