Review: World Radio TV Handbook 2015

World Radio TV Handbook 2015 Review 
Gayle Van Horn W4GVH
Teak Publishing

To radio hobbyists, a new year brings goals for a successful year, whether as a casual program listener, or as a dedicated DXer. This year as in previous years, the casual program listener and DXer always welcome the new edition of World Radio TV Handbook.

With a friendly opening by Nicholas Hardyman, Publisher, this year’s 69th edition begins with reviews featuring the popular SDRplay-a software-defined radio hardware that continues to gain popularity. Additional reviews include the MFJ-1046 Preselector, Tecsun PL-600 and CommRadio CR-1a, an upgraded version of their CR-1 table-top receiver. An in-depth review on the Wellbrook ALA 1530S+  Imperium Loop antenna is noted as the WRTH Awards for 2015 as the Best Antenna, and may solve your HF noise problem. A closer look at the Apache ANAN-10 is certainly suggested for the amateur operator or listeners interested in a multi-receiver SDR.

The first HF relay station in the world is still going strong. Dave Porter, G4OYX,one time Senior Transmitter Engineer at the site, outlines its history and current status in Wooferton 70 Years on the Air. First known as OSE-10 (Overseas Station Extension 10), Wooferton continues to bring the world to listener’s with hopes of another 70 years.

Max van Arnhem, WRTH contributor and well-known DXer, brings his perspective on The Future of DXing, followed by the annual round-up of developments in digital broadcasting, together with a look at the forthcoming World Radiocommunications Conference WRC).

Ask any amateur radio operator, and chances are they will announce that Lord Howe Island remains on their “Must Work” list. David Foster visited the remote and beautiful island near Australia. The state of radio on this remote island may surprise you.

In radio-circles, Watkins-Johnson radios are the most illustrious of receivers. Regarded as classics, most were for military and government use. An in-depth feature on the 8711A version will convince you of it’s well-deserved reputation.

This years HF Broadcasting Conditions cover what to expect during 2015, and most suitable frequencies. The National Radio section, are domestic radio stations which broadcast to a national listening audience on medium wave, shortwave and FM. Listings are arranged by country and include frequencies, transmitters, kW, contact information, and websites.

International Radio, contain stations broadcasting to an international audience. Similar to the latter, this informative section includes frequencies, transmitters, kW, contact information and websites.

Clandestine and Other Target Broadcast are stations broadcasting politically motivated  programming or those targeted at zones of local or regional conflicts. A one-page listing of Religious Broadcasters Cross Reference Table list the names of religious broadcasters.

The Frequency List, covers medium wave, shortwave, DRM, and a by-hour listing of multilingual international and DRM broadcasters, plus an updated section on National Television.

Closing this year’s edition is an extensive reference section of country indexes and codes, world transmitting sites, radio clubs, book abbreviations, and domestic shortwave transmitters. Standard Time and Frequency Transmissions contain schedules and contact information for worldwide time/frequency stations.

World Radio TV Handbook 2015, remains the ultimate directory of global broadcasting for a global audience. WRTH sets the standard for the radio hobby. It is an excellent reference book, and should compliment every listening-post.

World Radio TV Handbook (ISSBN:978-0-9555481-7-8) is now available and the upcoming WRTH A15 Bargraph CD, for order at: http://www.wrth.com/_shop/ 

International Shortwave Broadcast Guide - Winter Frequency Updates

This is the third frequency update for the 2014-2015 winter edition of the International Shortwave Broadcast Guide. This e-book from Teak Publishing, can be purchased at Amazone.com for U.S. $4.00, and is available at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QU8LC6M

All time references are UTC, frequencies in kHz (kilohertz) // indicates heard on a parallel frequency. Broadcast are daily unless otherwise indicated.

County/Station
Language
hrs/freq/info

Clandestine
Farsi
R Ranginkaman/R Rainbow  Mon/Fri 1700-1730 7550as // 9925as additional frequency

RTV Algerienne  (via Issoudun, France transmitters)
0400-0458 on  5865 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Holy Quran px

0500-0558 on  5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px
0500-0511 on  7295 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf French news bulletin
0511-0548 on  7295 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1
0548-0552 on  7295 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf French news bulletin
0552-0558 on  7295 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1

0600-0611 on  5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf French news bulletin
0611-0648 on  5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px
0648-0652 on  5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf French news bulletin
0652-0658 on  5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px

1800-1900 on 11985 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Holy Quran px

1900-2000 on 11775 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px
1900-1911 on 11985 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf French news bulletin
1911-1948 on 11985 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1
1948-1952 on 11985 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf French news bulletin
1952-1958 on 11985 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1

2000-2100 on  9380 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Holy Quran px
2000-2011 on 11775 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf French news bulletin
2011-2048 on 11775 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1
2048-2052 on 11775 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf French news bulletin
2052-2058 on 11775 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1

2100-2200 on  6145 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px
2100-2111 on  9380 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf French news bulletin
2111-2148 on  9380 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1
2148-2152 on  9380 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf French news bulletin
2152-2158 on  9380 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf Arabic Nat. Chaine 1

2200-2211 on  6145 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf French news bulletin
2211-2248 on  6145 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px
2248-2252 on  6145 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf French news bulletin
2252-2258 on  6145 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf Arabic Holy Quran px
(Ivo Ivanov/DX Re Mix # 892/25 Jan)

BBC frequency changes 
0000-0100 NF 13700 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex 13725
0000-0100 on 15755 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex Daily
0000-0100 on 13725 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex Daily
0000-0100 NF 15200 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex 15755
0000-0100 NF 13700 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex 13725
0000-0100 NF 15640 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex 15755
0000-0100 NF 13635 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex 13725
0000-0100 NF 15640 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex 15755
0000-0100 NF 13635 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex 13725
0000-0100 on 15755 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex Daily
0000-0100 NF 13700 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex 13725
0000-0100 NF 15200 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex 15755
0000-0100 NF 13635 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex 13725
0000-0100 NF 15200 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex 15755

0100-0200 on  5925 SLA 250 kW / 063 deg to SoAs English, addit. freq.
0100-0200 on 15310 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Mon, ex Daily
0100-0200 NF 15490 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Tue, ex 15310
0100-0200 NF 15490 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Wed, ex 15310
0100-0200 on 15310 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Thu, ex Daily
0100-0200 NF 15780 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Fri, ex 15310
0100-0200 NF 15780 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Sat, ex 15310
0100-0200 NF 15490 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Sun, ex 15310

0200-0300 on  9920 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs English, addit. freq.
0200-0300 on 15310 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Mon, ex Daily
0200-0300 NF 15490 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Tue, ex 15310
0200-0300 NF 15490 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Wed, ex 15310
0200-0300 on 15310 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Thu, ex Daily
0200-0300 NF 15780 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Fri, ex 15310
0200-0300 NF 15780 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Sat, ex 15310
0200-0200 NF 15490 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English Sun, ex 15310

1000-1100 NF 11565 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex 11895
1000-1100 NF 11935 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex 11895
1000-1100 NF 11565 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex 11895
1000-1100 NF 11935 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex 11895
1000-1100 NF 11935 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex 11895
1000-1100 on 11895 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex Daily
1000-1100 NF 11565 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex 11895

1100-1200 NF 11805 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex 11895
1100-1200 NF 12030 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex 11895
1100-1200 NF 11805 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex 11895
1100-1200 NF 12030 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex 11895
1100-1200 NF 12030 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex 11895
1100-1200 on 11895 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex Daily
1100-1200 NF 11805 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex 11895

1200-1300 NF 11805 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex 11895
1200-1300 NF 12030 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex 11895
1200-1300 NF 11805 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex 11895
1200-1300 NF 12030 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex 11895
1200-1300 NF 12030 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex 11895
1200-1300 on 11895 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex Daily
1200-1300 NF 11805 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex 11895

2200-2300 on  3915 SNG 100 kW / 160 deg to SEAs English, addit. freq.
2200-2300 on  5890 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English, addit. freq.
2200-2300 on  5890 NAK 250 kW / 150 deg to SEAs English, addit. freq.
2200-2300 on  6195 SNG 125 kW / 000 deg to SEAs English, addit. freq.
2200-2300 on  6195 SNG 125 kW / 090 deg to AUS  English, addit. freq.
2200-2300 on  6195 SNG 250 kW / 013 deg to EaAs English, addit. freq.
2200-2300 on  7490 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English, addit. freq.

2300-2400 NF  5895 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex  5875
2300-2400 NF  7600 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Mon, ex  7490
2300-2400 NF  5895 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex  5875
2300-2400 NF  7520 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Tue, ex  7490
2300-2400 on  5875 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex Daily
2300-2400 NF  7520 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Wed, ex  7490
2300-2400 NF  5830 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex  5875
2300-2400 NF  7520 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Thu, ex  7490
2300-2400 NF  5895 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex  5875
2300-2400 on  7490 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Fri, ex Daily
2300-2400 NF  5830 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex  5875
2300-2400 NF  7600 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sat, ex  7490
2300-2400 NF  5830 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex  5875
2300-2400 NF  7600 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English Sun, ex  7490

1300-1330 on 13865 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Mon, ex Daily
1300-1330 NF 15595 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Mon, ex 15510
1300-1330 NF 17550 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Mon, ex 17780
1300-1330 NF 13700 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Tue, ex 13865
1300-1330 NF 15730 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Tue, ex 15510
1300-1330 NF 17550 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Tue, ex 17780
1300-1330 on 13865 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Wed, ex Daily
1300-1330 NF 15730 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Wed, ex 15510
1300-1330 NF 17850 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Wed, ex 17780
1300-1330 NF 13760 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Thu, ex 13865
1300-1330 on 15510 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Thu, ex Daily
1300-1330 NF 17850 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Thu, ex 17780
1300-1330 NF 13700 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Fri, ex 13865
1300-1330 NF 15595 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Fri, ex 15510
1300-1330 NF 17850 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Fri, ex 17780
1300-1330 NF 13760 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sat, ex 13865
1300-1330 NF 15730 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sat, ex 15510
1300-1330 on 17780 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex Daily
1300-1330 NF 13760 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex 13865
1300-1330 NF 15595 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex 15510
1300-1330 NF 17550 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex 17780

BBC frequency changes in Dari/Pashto
0830-0900 on 15310 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari, new
0830-0900 on 17720 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Dari, new
0900-0930 on 15310 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex 0830-0930
0900-0930 on 17720 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex 0830-0930
0930-1030 on 15310 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari, ex 0930-1030
0930-1030 on 17720 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Dari, ex 0930-1030
1000-1030 on 15310 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto, new
1000-1030 on 17720 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Pashto, new
1030-1100 on 15310 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari, new
1030-1100 on 17720 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Dari, new
1100-1130 on 15310 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex 1030-1130
1100-1130 on 17720 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex 1030-1130
1800-1830 on  5875 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Dari, ex 1800-1900
1800-1830 on  5910 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari, ex 1800-1900
1800-1830 on  7505 NAK 250 kW / 305 deg to WeAs Dari, ex 1800-1900
1830-1900 on  5875 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg to WeAs Pashto, new
1830-1900 on  5910 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto, new
1830-1900 on  7505 NAK 250 kW / 305 deg to WeAs Pashto, new

BBC morning transmissions remain unchanged
0030-0100 on  5940 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari
0030-0100 on  7435 WOF 250 kW / 082 deg to WeAs Dari
0100-0130 on  5940 MOS 300 kW / 095 deg to WeAs Pashto
0100-0130 on  6195 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto
0100-0130 on  7445 WOF 250 kW / 082 deg to WeAs Pashto
0130-0200 on  5940 MOS 300 kW / 095 deg to WeAs Dari
0130-0200 on  6195 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari
0130-0200 on  7445 WOF 250 kW / 082 deg to WeAs Dari
0200-0230 on  6195 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto
0200-0230 on  7445 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto
0200-0230 on 15755 NAK 250 kW / 305 deg to WeAs Pashto
0230-0300 on  6195 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari
0230-0300 on  7445 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Dari
0230-0300 on 15755 NAK 250 kW / 305 deg to WeAs Dari
0300-0330 on  7445 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Pashto
0300-0330 on  9880 ERV 100 kW / 125 deg to WeAs Pashto
0300-0330 on 11970 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg to WeAs Pashto
(Ivo Ivanov/DX Re Mix # 892/25 Jan)

Legend
af (Africa)
as (Asia)
NF new frequency