{"id":8604,"date":"2014-01-19T16:02:08","date_gmt":"2014-01-19T20:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=8604"},"modified":"2014-01-19T16:02:08","modified_gmt":"2014-01-19T20:02:08","slug":"2014-wrth-a-look-inside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/2014-wrth-a-look-inside\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 WRTH: A look inside"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"wrth-2014\"<\/a>I received my copy of the 2014 World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH)<\/em> directly from the publisher a few days ago, just prior to a 24 hour power outage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As many SWLing Post<\/em> readers know, I always look forward to receiving this staple radio reference guide each year. While other reference guides have dropped out of the scene, WRTH<\/em> has remained strong, somehow resistant to the economy\u2019s negative influence upon radio\u2013and the publication’s quality has been wonderfully consistent. It’s no wonder that\u00a0WRTH<\/em> has a loyal readership\u2013not only among hobbyists, but also among commercial broadcasters, thus giving it a much broader reader base.<\/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 fifty or so pages to articles relating to the 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, writer Max van Arnhem tells us how he got interested in the hobby and what being a contributor means to him.<\/p>\n

\"FunCubeDongleProPlus\"<\/a>The second set of articles is always my favorite: WRTH<\/em> receiver reviews<\/strong>. And the review in this issue is no exception. This year, WRTH<\/em> reviewed the CommRadio CR-1<\/strong> (which won their Best New Receiver<\/em> award, and, I was pleased to see, received many of the same good marks I gave it<\/a>).\u00a0 They also review the FunCube Dongle Pro+<\/strong> (above)<\/em>, the new AOR AR6000<\/strong>, the WinRadio Excalibur Ultra<\/strong> (spoiler: the reviewers say it’s the best they’ve ever tested!), the AOR AR8200D<\/strong> handheld receiver, and the YouKits FG-01 Mk II Antenna Analyzer<\/strong>. As I’ve come to expect from this publication, these are all great comprehensive reviews.<\/p>\n

The following article is “The History of Shortwave Broadcasting in a Nutshell,<\/strong>” written by noted radio historian and author, Jerry Berg. In just a few pages, Berg takes you through the remarkable history of shortwave radio broadcasting.<\/p>\n

\"SriLankaMap-SM\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Following this, noted DXer and WRTH<\/em> contributor, Victor Goonetilleke, offers a fascinating article focusing on broadcasting on his home island country of Sri Lanka<\/strong>. It’s a enlightening overview of some of the changes that have occurred within the Sri Lankan broadcasting scene (DXers and SWLers will likely recognize many of the stations Goonetilleke mentions).<\/p>\n

\"Voice-Of-Vietnam\"<\/a>WRTH<\/em> always highlights a radio broadcaster as well, and this year, it’s the Voice of Vietnam.<\/strong> Despite my many years of hearing VoV on the air, I did not realize how deeply involved they were during the Vietnam War (which took place when I was a kid). The station today prides itself on responding to QSL requests and listener comments.<\/p>\n

The final sections of articles are dedicated to the WRTH digital update\u2013this year’s subject is “Digital Future<\/strong>“\u2013and their HF propagation report\/forecast.<\/p>\n

In summary, this is another great edition of the World Radio TV Handbook.<\/em> 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. 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.<\/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 2014<\/em> directly from WRTH<\/em>\u2019s publishers<\/a>, or from a distributor like Universal Radio (US)<\/a> or Radio HF (Canada)<\/a>. Happy reading\u2013and listening\u2013<\/em>in 2014!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I received my copy of the 2014 World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH) directly from the publisher a few days ago, just prior to a 24 hour power outage. As many SWLing Post readers know, I always look forward to receiving this staple radio reference guide each year. While other reference guides have dropped out […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[251,56,3,129,438,651,43],"tags":[2523,1934,193,2522],"class_list":["post-8604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books","category-broadcasters","category-news","category-reviews","category-schedules","category-schedules-and-frequencies","category-shortwave-radio","tag-2014-wrth-review","tag-world-radio-tv-handbook","tag-wrth","tag-wrth-review"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-2eM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":38184,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/wrth-a19-season-updates\/","url_meta":{"origin":8604,"position":0},"title":"WRTH A19 season updates","author":"Thomas","date":"June 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: WRTH) The latest version of the A19 International and C&OTB broadcaster schedules pdf has been uploaded to the WRTH website. This download is available free of charge and includes the transmission schedules from 180+ International and Clandestine\/Target broadcasters, arranged by country. For maximum usability, these schedules are in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/WRTH-2019-e1545397497805.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/WRTH-2019-e1545397497805.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/WRTH-2019-e1545397497805.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2679,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/02\/updates-to-the-wrth-b11-schedules-are-now-available-for-download\/","url_meta":{"origin":8604,"position":1},"title":"Updates to the WRTH B11 schedules are now available for download","author":"Thomas","date":"February 1, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH) B11 schedules updates file is now available to download, free of charge, from the WRTH website. This is a comprehensive update and supplement to the printed 2012 WRTH.","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/WRTH2012-179x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3929,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/07\/updates-to-the-wrth-summer-a12-schedules-are-now-available-for-download-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":8604,"position":2},"title":"Updates to the WRTH Summer A12 schedules are now available for download","author":"Thomas","date":"July 20, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH) has updates their A12 International Radio Supplement as of July 13. The file is now available to download, free of charge, from the WRTH website. This is a comprehensive update and supplement to the printed 2012 WRTH.","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/WRTH2012-179x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16117,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/wrth-2016-now-in-publication\/","url_meta":{"origin":8604,"position":3},"title":"WRTH 2016: now in publication","author":"Thomas","date":"December 11, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm very happy to see this notice from Nicholas Hardyman, Publisher of the World Radio TV Handbook: We are delighted to announce the publication today of the 70th edition of WRTH. For full details of WRTH 2016 and to order a copy please visit our website at www.wrth.com where you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"WRTH-2016","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/WRTH-2016-191x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6509,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/wrth-2013-summer-a-season-available-for-download\/","url_meta":{"origin":8604,"position":4},"title":"WRTH 2013 Summer (A) season available for download","author":"Thomas","date":"May 14, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"I just received the following message from Sean Gilbert with WRTH: The WRTH editorial team are pleased to announce that the Summer (A) Season broadcast schedules file is now available to download for free from\u00a0http:\/\/www.wrth.com\/\u00a0just follow the link on the front page (updates). Included in this file are: Broadcast schedules\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"WRTH2013","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/WRTH2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48902,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/wrth-a21-season-broadcasting-schedule-updates-available-as-free-download\/","url_meta":{"origin":8604,"position":5},"title":"WRTH A21 season broadcasting schedule updates available as free download","author":"Thomas","date":"May 13, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Sean Gilbert, with the World Radio TV Handbook, who shares the following announcement: WRTH is pleased to announce that the A21 (Summer) season broadcasting schedules for International and Clandestine\/Target broadcasters are now available for download, free of charge. This file is in PDF format so you will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2021-WRTH-1-e1612533158258.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2021-WRTH-1-e1612533158258.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2021-WRTH-1-e1612533158258.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2021-WRTH-1-e1612533158258.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8604\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}