What does SSB reception mean?

Question

I'm moving to Morocco and plan to buy the Kaito KA1101 to use as a cheap shortwave radio. It does not have SSB reception, and I was wondering what effect this would have on my shortwave reception, if any.

Answer 1

Single Side Band

AM transmissions have two sidebands, one above and one below the carrier. To save power, a transmitter can choose to use only one of the two sidebands. They can also suppress the carrier.

To receive the signal from a station that is transmitting on one side band you need a receiver that will decode this signal.

So, bottom line, you will not be able to receive SSB signals. How much that impacts you, only you can judge.

.

Answer 2

Ham radio is the most common SSB service. Some industrial applications are also SSB.  Other than these you should be able to receive most if not all of the commercial shortwave services