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.
Universal
Radio http://www.universal-radio.com/