The nonlinear progressive wave equation (NPE) model has been used to investigate the propagation of linear and nonlinear broadband signals in a range‐dependent shallow water waveguide. The NPE is the nonlinear time domain equivalent of the frequency domain parabolic wave equation (PE). Results from each of the studies are given in short computer‐generated movies illustrating a four‐cycle sine‐wave pulse propagating a total of 20 km in isovelocity water (c = 1500 m/s) over a bottom (c = 1600 m/s) whose depth profile contains a shelf of slope 0.15 connecting regions of constant depth 225 and 150 m. Effects evident in the movies are: radiation into the bottom resulting in head waves that re‐radiate back into the water column; energy dumping following reflection from the sloping bottom and surface; and mode separation at late times. Early time results suggest that bottom penetration is greater when nonlinearity is included.