Natural Radio receivers are a high gain audio amplifier connected to an antenna. There are several kits and prebuilt receivers available. It is also easy to build your own if you have basic electronics experience. See the Equipment & Software section of this website.
FAQ
Are there any preferred geographic listening positions for Natural Radio signals?
Sferics and tweeks can be heard almost anywhere, but whistlers and VLF emissions are more prevalent in northern and southern latitudes. These signals are rarely heard in the tropics. Since whistlers and VLF emissions propagate along the earth’ field lines, they tend to exit the ionosphere at higher latitudes and thus are more often heard there. Whistlers tend to be most prevalent around a geomagnetic latitude of 50 degrees.
In the USA there seems to be better Natural Radio reception in the Western States as opposed to the eastern states and Midwest. I don’t know of any studies that have been done on this, but it may be due to the fact that there are more open spaces away from power lines and thus better listening locations in the west. It also may be due to some other phenomenon.
Where should I listen?
Power line interference in the form of hum and buzz is very disruptive of Natural Radio listening. Your best listening will be when you are as far away from power lines as possible. You should be at least a couple of miles from transmission lines (The lines with big insulators, usually on metal towers) and a half mile or more from distribution lines (the lines that bring power to homes and businesses.) This isn’t difficult in a rural area, but is tough for the city or suburban dweller. Look for parks and other open spaces, or even neighborhoods with underground power lines. Finding a quiet listening area that is accessible during the pre-dawn hours is often the biggest challenge for the natural Radio Listener.