Passport to World Band Radio: 2004 (Passport to World Band Radio, 2004)

Rating:
Summary: Helping to demystify "World Band (Shortwave) Radio"
Review: Since the early days of radio, shortwave radio has been a mystery to many potential listeners. There are many factors in getting involved in this fascinating hobby. You will need a receiver, an antenna, a list of broadcasting stations, their frequencies and time schedules and an understanding of how radio signals move through and bounce off of the atmosphere and earth. Quite a daunting task for the shortwave radio novice. Becoming a shortwave radio listener (SWL) has become much easier and more pleasurable with Lawrence Magne's "Passport to World Band Radio" (I'm not sure if Magne's group coined the phrase "World Band Radio" or not but the phrase is used interchangeably with "shortwave radio").

Just after the end of World War II "The World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH) began publishing. It has evolved into a huge reference of world radio. Nearly every broadcasting station around the globe is listed with their schedules. It is a required reference work for hard core enthusiasts (DX'ers) who cherish pulling in weak and low powered stations. The WRTH is a bit much for the casual to hobbyist-level SWL. In 1985 the first "Passport to World Band Radio" was printed. As an active SWL (already with a 1985 WRTH) I decided that I had to check it out. I realized then (just as much as now) that the "Passport" isn't as a thorough reference as the WRTH. That isn't a bad thing - in fact it's a great thing. Most articles are aimed solely at the casual SWL and not at the professional DX'er with his or her antenna farms and ten radios. If you are new to the hobby (or are returning to it like I am) this is probably the first place to study. I will not compare "Passport" to the WRTH anymore. They both have their niche in the hobby.

New receiver reviews are included each year. They run the gamut from the cheaper $50 portables to the $1000+ professional models. Other articles differ from year to year one was on Internet Radio, one on propagation - how the atmosphere reflects some signals, cancels some signals out and twists others and one on World Time stations which can help keep all of your clocks accurate. There are few advertisements - all relating to the SWL hobby.

The meat of "Passport to World Band Radio" is the guide to the individual stations and their schedules. The guide to the stations is arranged alphabetically by country. It even lists the stations' addresses. This is important as hobbyists often contact the stations to verify their reception. The station usually returns a letter or a "QSL" card to verify the reception. Stations often include pennants, stickers and other neat souvenirs. The schedules list at least 90% of the SW schedules. With seasonal changes, the schedules themselves may change over time. With a current year Passport on hand you will always find something of interest to listen to. Most English language broadcasts aimed at North America are transmitted in our evening hours. However, you will generally find some English broadcasts around the clock. Many European broadcasters transmit in their native language to North America for former residents.

You will find being a SWL a great hobby and this book will help you out a great deal.

Rating:
Summary: Helping to demystify "World Band (Shortwave) Radio"
Review: Since the early days of radio, shortwave radio has been a mystery to many potential listeners. There are many factors in getting involved in this fascinating hobby. You will need a receiver, an antenna, a list of broadcasting stations, their frequencies and time schedules and an understanding of how radio signals move through and bounce off of the atmosphere and earth. Quite a daunting task for the shortwave radio novice. Becoming a shortwave radio listener (SWL) has become much easier and more pleasurable with Lawrence Magne's "Passport to World Band Radio" (I'm not sure if Magne's group coined the phrase "World Band Radio" or not but the phrase is used interchangeably with "shortwave radio").

Just after the end of World War II "The World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH) began publishing. It has evolved into a huge reference of world radio. Nearly every broadcasting station around the globe is listed with their schedules. It is a required reference work for hard core enthusiasts (DX'ers) who cherish pulling in weak and low powered stations. The WRTH is a bit much for the casual to hobbyist-level SWL. In 1985 the first "Passport to World Band Radio" was printed. As an active SWL (already with a 1985 WRTH) I decided that I had to check it out. I realized then (just as much as now) that the "Passport" isn't as a thorough reference as the WRTH. That isn't a bad thing - in fact it's a great thing. Most articles are aimed solely at the casual SWL and not at the professional DX'er with his or her antenna farms and ten radios. If you are new to the hobby (or are returning to it like I am) this is probably the first place to study. I will not compare "Passport" to the WRTH anymore. They both have their niche in the hobby.

New receiver reviews are included each year. They run the gamut from the cheaper $50 portables to the $1000+ professional models. Other articles differ from year to year one was on Internet Radio, one on propagation - how the atmosphere reflects some signals, cancels some signals out and twists others and one on World Time stations which can help keep all of your clocks accurate. There are few advertisements - all relating to the SWL hobby.

The meat of "Passport to World Band Radio" is the guide to the individual stations and their schedules. The guide to the stations is arranged alphabetically by country. It even lists the stations' addresses. This is important as hobbyists often contact the stations to verify their reception. The station usually returns a letter or a "QSL" card to verify the reception. Stations often include pennants, stickers and other neat souvenirs. The schedules list at least 90% of the SW schedules. With seasonal changes, the schedules themselves may change over time. With a current year Passport on hand you will always find something of interest to listen to. Most English language broadcasts aimed at North America are transmitted in our evening hours. However, you will generally find some English broadcasts around the clock. Many European broadcasters transmit in their native language to North America for former residents.

You will find being a SWL a great hobby and this book will help you out a great deal.

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate shortwave guide
Review: This is the best book to get if you are into SW. reviews of radios, addresses, guides to what to listen to according to time, country, language, and frequency (for when you find a station but have no idea what you are listening to). This is the best money you will spend if you want to explore SW.
Shortwave is great for listening to news. BBC, Radio Canada, Voice of America (paid by your tax dollars) all are worth listening to. I am less interested in the overwhelming amount of propaganda and religious programming (just how many world wide gospel broadcasts do we need?) that is on Shortwave. SHortwave radios are also great because they usually are well made an d will pull in more FM and AM stations.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Get Into Shortwave Radio Without It
Review: Using your shortwave radio without this book would be like trying to use the Internet without a search engine. Passport is cross linked so many ways. By time, frequency and station. If you don't already have a SW receiver, it's a good place to read-up on what's hot and what's not before you choose.

Rating:
Summary: A must for shortwave listeners.
Review: Yes, shortwave radio still exists. Hundreds of millions of people across the globe rely on it daily for their news and information. Any well rounded news freak, travel junkie or culture hound should own one. Maybe for use occasionally, maybe for use while travelling, or maybe, like many of us, you listen daily. If you own a shortwave (world band) radio and want to make the most use out of it, you must own this book. Whether at home with your radio, or travelling, it is the key to unlocking the potential of shortwave. The schedule information for stations worldwide is as complete and current as you can find anywhere. The reviews of shortwave radios are thorough and will make sense to the beginner or the advanced listener, and infused with enough humor to keep the material interesting, even if you aren't shopping for a new one. Lastly, the theme for each yearly edition changes and while the 2004 edition isn't quite as in-depth, topically, as last year's (2003), the book is an interesting read even if you don't yet own a shortwave radio. It will probably inspire you to buy one.