Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well yes that's what I said - these days it's less true with the direct conversion (many superhet's around though still!) but SW numbers stations are not really a thing anymore anyway so the solution is a bit late :) And a direct conversion receiver and the computer attached to it can also leak RF. I'm pretty sure equipment these days leaks more RF than in the 80s. And not just RF. People have even been able to deter…
> standard holiday shortwave receiver A what now? :) Are you sure that is a lot harder to explain away than literally any computer gizmo looking object? (Today, not in the 70ies)
Exactly, numbers stations were a big thing in the 70s-80s.
In those days carrying a SW receiver was pretty standard and almost every country had a world service radio station that people would actually listen to.
These days using the internet makes a lot more sense yes, both for tourists and spies. Because spies want to be where the mainstream is to avoid detection.