A couple of newbie questions

[MDK2]

I suggest that, if you're on Facebook, joining one of the shortwave groups there. Just three years ago I was in exactly the same position as you, didn't know anything about the technical aspects of shortwave, intimidated by the jargon, etc. I can testify that there's no real book out there for SWLing. My earliest information was contained in the user's manual that came with my first SW receiver, a Tecsun PL-600. From there, google was largely my friend. I found videos on youtube. (Look for "Official SWL Channel" for some very good beginner's information videos.) I found this group, which I joined and which introduced me to the fun of pirate radio. And I found the aforementioned shortwave groups on Facebook. Basically you have to ask a lot of questions and take in a lot of video and things do come piecemeal, however if it's really got you hooked, you'll learn quickly. Welcome!

[BoomboxDX]

The best thing one can do as a newbie is get a chart of the SW bands and ham bands, and tune them and listen away.

The most basic 'rule' is daytime the higher frequencies usually have more activity, nighttime you go lower.

Of course, being that we are at the bottom of the solar cycle, the higher bands have less activity than they did in 2011 and 2012 and such.