![\"WRTH-2016\"](\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/WRTH-2016-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I received my copy of the 2016\u00a0World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH)<\/em><\/a> directly from the publisher on Christmas Eve 2105. As many SWLing Post<\/em> readers know, I always look forward to receiving this staple radio reference guide each year. This is a special year for the publication, too: it’s their\u00a070th edition!<\/strong><\/p>\n I should note that it was a special edition of the WRTH for me as well: upon request, I contributed two receiver reviews and a feature article. It was an honor working with the WRTH publication staff and being included in the 70th edition.<\/p>\n WRTH\u2019<\/em>s team of noted DXers from around the world curate frequencies and broadcaster information by region; while I\u2019m not sure how they orchestrate all of this, the end result is truly a symphony of radio information. In addition to broadcaster listings, WRTH<\/em>\u2019s radio reviews, feature articles, and annual HF report make for excellent reading.<\/p>\n But the WRTH<\/em> isn’t just<\/em> a frequency guide: the publication always devotes the first sixty\u00a0or so pages to articles relating to various aspects of the radio hobby. Following, I offer a quick overview of these.<\/p>\n The first article always features a WRTH<\/em> contributor<\/strong> (indeed, it’s this very network of contributors that make WRTH<\/em> and its listings such a success):\u00a0 this year, Dave Kenny<\/strong>\u00a0tells us how he got interested in the hobby and what being a contributor means to him. It’s fascinating to read about how his SWLing hobby turned into a career as he worked for BBC Monitoring for many years.<\/p>\n The second set of articles is always my favorite: WRTH<\/em> receiver reviews<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This year, WRTH<\/em> reviewed the C.Crane CC Skywave<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(an update to one of my reviews on the Post<\/a><\/em>).\u00a0 They also review the new\u00a0AOR AR-DV-1<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(above)<\/em>, the Et\u00f3n Satellit Grundig Edition<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(which impressed them favorably), the Tecsun PL-680<\/a> <\/strong>(again, an update of one of my Post<\/a><\/em> reviews), and the Nti ML200 Megaloop<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The following article is “A Brief History of World Radio TV Handbook<\/b>”\u00a0which traces the publication’s history back to the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II. It’s a fascinating read and puts the publication into context as technology,\u00a0international broadcasting and the WRTH team have evolved over the course of 70 years.<\/p>\n In the next article, UK MW & LW Broadcasting: the first 95 years,<\/strong> WRTH contributor Dave Porter (G4OYX), outlines the history and current use of MW & LW broadcasting. A fascinating history written by a former BBC senior transmitter engineer!<\/p>\n Next is the added feature 70 Years of Reception<\/strong> which looks at receiver technology and innovations that have had an impact over the course of WRTH’s long history. They highlight a few select receivers over the decades like the RCA AR-88<\/strong>, Eddystone 840-A<\/strong>, Eddstone EC-10<\/strong>, Barlow Wadley XCR-30<\/strong>, Kenwood R-1000<\/strong>, Drake R8<\/strong> and the WinRadio Excalibur Ultra<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Following this, WRTH<\/em> contributor, David Foster<\/strong>, features an article on Radio in Timore-Leste<\/strong>. \u00a0Foster has been involved in Timore-Leste for many years–his article gives excellent\u00a0insight into this part of Southeast Asia. Indeed, I always<\/em> look forward to David Foster’s articles in WRTH!<\/p>\n This year, WRTH also features an updated and revised article I wrote for them on The Future of Shortwave<\/a><\/strong>. Again, I’m honored to have contributed to the 70th edition of WRTH.<\/p>\n WRTH International Editor, Sean Gilbert, also wrote an excellent Guide to SDRs<\/strong>–a brilliant little summary of what SDRs are, how they work, and some common terminology used in reviews.<\/p>\n The final article–a tradition–is the WRTH \u00a0HF propagation report\/forecast <\/strong>by Ulf-Peter Hoppe. Always an informative read (even if the prediction isn’t positive for DXers).<\/p>\n As expected, the 70th is another great edition of the World Radio TV Handbook.<\/em><\/p>\n As I\u2019ve said many times, though I use online frequency databases fairly regularly, there is just no replacement for a good printed frequency guide–especially for all of my off-grid DXing.<\/p>\n For DXers who collect QSL cards, you’ll find that broadcaster contact information in WRTH<\/em> is often more up-to-date than a broadcaster’s own website. When readers ask me for station contact information, it is the current WRTH I reference.<\/p>\n Not only does WRTH<\/em> contain more in-depth information on broadcasters and schedules, but it makes for quick reference, and doesn\u2019t require a computer or Internet connection\u2013much like, well, your shortwave radio.<\/p>\n Purchase your copy of WRTH 2015<\/em>\u00a0directly from WRTH<\/em>\u2019s publishers<\/a>, or from a distributor like Universal Radio <\/a>(US)\u00a0and\u00a0Amazon.com<\/a>\u00a0(US), or\u00a0Radio HF <\/a>(Canada).<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"AOR-AR-DV1\"](\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/AOR-AR-DV1-1024x542.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Timore-Leste-Map\"](\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Timore-Leste-Map.jpg\")
<\/p>\n