Recent interest may indicate increasing use of radio in foreign language learning despite some of the very realistic obstacles that face the beginner. Shortwave radio can be used imaginatively in a variety of ways, including: (1) increasing the reality, currency, and accuracy of listening comprehension skills; (2) actual communication with speakers of the target language; and (3) stimulating real interstudent communication in the target language. Some of the problems associated with the use of the shortwave radio in the foreign language classroom include: (1) the need for enough money to invest in quality equipment; (2) the need for classroom and non-classroom time; (3) unexpected problems such as differentiates between the skilled and the non-skilled listener, but this problem can be a valuable element in developing listening comprehension skills. An addendum describes the steps in obtaining an amateur license. One must: (1) pay an application fee; (2) pass a Morse Code test; and (3) pass a written test on radio theory and regulations. (AM)