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Wednesday, February 26, 2020

WRTH 2020 Review


originally appeared in the February 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor e-zine


World Radio TV Handbook 2020 Review 
Gayle Van Horn W4GVH

World Radio TV Handbook 2020, has recently released their 74th edition. As hobbyist, we always welcome the arrival during the DX season, and absorb it for days, reading the features, predictions and changes for a new listening year.
The 2020 edition, begins with an editorial by Nicholas Hardyman, Publisher, noting a brief synopsis of products, information on the WRTH Frequency Bargraph and website Updates reminders.  
            WRTH Contributors 2020, features radio hobbyist, Luis Cavalho, WRTH contributor for Portugal, the Azores and Madeira. Luis, an avid radio listener for decades, complies his information using a variety of listening equipment to monitor the bands. To follow Luis Cavalho, visit his blog Mundo da Rádio at http://mundodaradio.blogspot.com/.
Receiver Reviews, begin with a look at the Elad FDM-DUOr. The DUOr, a stand-alone device, is a general-coverage receiver, covering 9kHz-54 MHz and offers AM, USB, LSB, CW and FM reception. Overall, reviews note that despite a few ergonomics considerations, it is a good value for the cost.
The popularity of SDR’s continue to expand. This year, WRTH awarded the new Airspy HF+ Discovery, with the WRTH Awards 2020, for the Best Value SDR. In 2019, with the release of an upgraded version of Airspy HF+, the expanded version Airspy HF+ Discovery, caught on immediately with worldwide radio enthusiasts. Overall, this is an amazing and affordable SDR unit, one that is highly recommended. SDRPlay RSPDuro Diversity is also a popular SDR unit, one with new potential functionally, and excellent reception. SDR’s continue to amaze the casual and experienced hobbyist.
Two of the newer product releases in so-called ‘internet radios,’ is the release of Pure Elan E3, and Pure Elan IR5. The Pure Elan E-3, offers DAB, DAB+, and FM. The Pure Elan IR5, replaces radio reception with internet connectivity in a similar basic package. Both radios are a good choice.
The Tecsun portable radio, has been a popular alternative to hobbyists, in terms of size and affordability for many years. The new Tecsun PL-310ET, is equally impressive, and one to consider, given the size and price. If an external antenna is not feasible at your location, consider the Tecsun AN-200 MW Loop Antenna. The small manually tunable loop antenna is intended for indoor use in the medium wave band (500-1700 kHz). At this low-price, it’s a bargain not to be missed.
Dave Porter G4OYX, opens the Features section, with The Development of HF Broadcast Antennas. The former BBC Transmitter Engineer, continues the story of the development of HF broadcasting from curtain arrays to Allis antenna.
Hans Johnson, a returning features writer and active hobbyist, explores the story behind the transmissions broadcast to Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea, in his informative feature, Sea Breeze & Wind from Japan.
            New Caledonia once graced the airwaves on shortwave and medium wave, however in the modern age of island broadcasting, both have ceased, leaving FM the one means of operation to the island east of New Zealand. Stu Forsyth, WRTH contributor and chief editor of New Zealand DX Times, outlines in Radio on New Caledonia, the history of broadcasting from and on the French Pacific island of New Caledonia.  
Understanding the elements of radio propagation has been known to perplex the beginner, as well as the seasoned shortwave listener. How can a medium wave station, thousands of miles away be audible, when logically it should not be possible? The WRTH staff examines MW Propagation and the finer points to consider.  
Ashraf Chaabane, president of the Association des Radio Amateurs Tunisiens (ARAT), details a recent visit to the old transmitting site in Tunisia. A Visit to Sidi Mansour Transmitter Site, about a once vibrant broadcasting site.
Digital broadcasting continues to gain popularity in the hobby. This edition of Digital Update continues WRTH regular roundup of digital broadcasting, looking this year at the distinctive power characteristics of analogue and digital transmission systems. Will a fully digital broadcasting system be the wave of the future?
Wrapping up the Features section is the annual update of HF Broadcasting Reception Conditions Expected During 2020. Ulf-Peter Hoppe, adjunct professor of physics at the Arctic University of Norway, delves into the New Sunspot Cycle in 2020. As always, it’s an interesting addition, and compliments the Most Suitable Frequencies 2020 listings. Using both sources, you can expect improved reception on the HF broadcasting bands.
Eleven pages of colored maps, plus the World Time Table is a great segue to the National Radio section. Sections include domestic radio stations broadcasting to a national listening audience on medium wave, shortwave, FM and DAB. Listings are grouped by country and include frequencies, transmitter information, power kW, contact and website information.
The International Radio list the same information for international broadcasters, airing to a global listening audience.
Clandestine and other Target Broadcast, cover stations broadcasting politically motivated programming, or those targeted at zones of local or regional conflicts. A one-page listing   Religious Broadcasters Cross Reference Table closes this section.
The Frequency List, includes by-frequency listings of world medium wave stations. SW Stations of the World, is a by-frequency listing of stations, followed by International Broadcasts in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish, in a 24-hour UTC format. DRM International Broadcast, are 24-hour UTC listings of worldwide stations airing on DRM. Closing this section is the National Television listing information in country order.
Lastly, this edition contains an extensive Reference section of country indexes and codes, world transmitting sites, radio clubs, organizations and institutes, selected Internet resources, WRTH abbreviations and symbols. Additional information; Transmitter Sites (Location and Decode Tables) for international transmitter sites, Domestic SW Transmitter Sites, and Standard Time & Frequency Transmissions, containing contact information and schedules for worldwide time and frequency stations.
The 74th edition of World Radio TV Handbook, continues to be a comprehensive reference book. It remains the gold standard, and most authoritative for a global radio and television audience. It remains the gem of the industry, and highly recommended to one and all.

World Radio TV Handbook 2020, is available from the WRTH website at: http://www.wrth.com/
Universal Radio http://www.universal-radio.com/
Amazon http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com