Over the past weeks, many of you may have noticed that the website for Passport To World Band Radio, Passband.com (note: no hyperlinking here), has closed shop. This, of course, following the death of every SWLer’s favorite guide, the Passport To World Band Radio. If this is new to you, read some of our previous posts about this.
Alternatives to Passport To World Band Radio
As I pointed out in previous posts, do not despair! There are alternatives for finding shortwave radio schedules. For starters, consider purchasing the World Radio and TV Handbook. If you’re looking for online sources of schedules, also consider some alternatives I listed on SWLing.com’s Resource page.
Passband.com was a great source for news in the world of shortwave radio. I (humbly) believe our blog, the SWLing Post, is as well. Consider subscribing to our RSS feed. Also, check our Blogroll links (right navigation column) for other great radio websites.
We also offer shortwave radio reviews in simple form on our main site and also in (this) blog portion of our website.
At SWLing.com we are also active advocates for shortwave radio–we frequently make our opinions about how vital radio is throughout the world known to international broadcasters and we give you the opportunity to do the same.
Remember, you’re not alone and shortwave radio is not dead. Indeed, it’s quite an active lifeline to many communities around our small planet.
Happy listening!
Rats! I’ve made do with my 2009 Passport for four years and was going to add the 2013 edition to my Christmas wish list before I read this post. Best annual SW book out there, I always thought. I’ll put WRTH on the list now…a good alternative, but not the same.
SORRY TO HEAR OF THE DEMISE OF THE PTWBR HAD INTENDED TO THROW AWAY MY
COPY DATED 2003 EDITION IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT I HAVE JUST LEARNED ABOUT
THE CLOSURE I THINK I WILL STICK WITH IT AND KEEP IT FOR POSTERITY
A VERY GOOD PUBLICATION AND WILL BE SURELY MISSED
REGARDS TO ALL JOHN T JONES ENGLAND
Yes, hang on to those old copies of PTWBR! They’re a great reference book and somewhat nostalgic, even.
-Thomas
I’m a rank beginner, and just a listener at that, but I would not have purchased the two great SW radios and three antennas that I have now if it were not for PPTWBR. Everything was between the covers. If you wanted radio schedules, that was there. If you wanted to see what was new to radios or antennas or some other gear, it was likely discussed and rated. So for someone who wanted to spend their money wisely, and then find a frequency to listen to without consulting multiple books, this was the one. The last one I have in print was the 25th edition, and its like gold to me.
I agree, Robert. I keep all of my old copies. At this point, it’s a great reference for used SW radios tor models that have been on the market for a while.
-Thomas
THIS SUCK THAT CLOSE BC THIS WAS WHAT I HAD AND WAS EASEY FOR ME TO USE NOW BACK TO SPIN MY KENWOOD DIAL AND STAY UP TO WEE HR AND WHAT HAVE YOU SOME NEED TO START A NEW ONE… MAY A EMAIL LIST AS WELL…