published in the January issue of Spectrum Monitor e-magazine
World
Radio TV Handbook 2019 Review
Gayle
Van Horn
The
annual release of the World Radio TV Handbook
is always an anticipated event for worldwide radio listener’s, both the casual
program listener, or an enthusiastic radio aficionado.
This
year’s 73rd edition, begins with an editorial and preview by
Nicholas Hardyman, Publisher. If you are in the market for a software-defined
radio, two receivers will undoubtedly pique your interest. The recent release
of WinRadio Excalibur Sigma has been awarded by WRTH as the best and most
capable SDR on the market or perhaps the world.
If
a budget-friendly hobby is required, consider the SDRPlay RSPDuro.In a lower price
class, it was reviewed as a remarkable receiver for its functionality and would
represent an excellent choice. Equally impressive is the review of the Airspy
HF +, awarded Best Value in an SDR. Additional reviews include the Reuter RDR51
‘Pocket’ receiver, and XHData D-808, an ‘ultra-portable’ radio, for its
low-cost and small size AM and FM portable. Scanner fans in the market for a
high-grade wideband hand-held scanning receiver, will find the Icom IC-R30
review, informative and recommended as a good contender to consider.
The
Features section begins with HF Curtain
Arrays. Written by former BBC Senior Transmitter Engineer, Dave Porter
G4OYX, featuring a behind the scenes look at the history and development of
classic HF broadcast antennas.
Freelance
writer and active radio enthusiast, Hans Johnson, explores two radio stations
entitled Broadcasting for Peace. Both
stations, Dandal Kura Radio International, and Radio Ndarason International, share
their goal to bring programming to a troubled region seeking peace.
YLE
foreign news journalist and radio hobbyist Mike Mäkeläläinen, travels to the
Marshall Islands national broadcaster, Radio Marshall Islands. The writer shares
the latest from V7AB and the station’s future. Though a small station, Radio
Marshall Islands transmits a very powerful voice which reaches far beyond the
Pacific region.
A
major new development in 2018, was the TWR Bonaire inauguration, as the most
powerful radio station in the Western Hemisphere. Known as ‘Shine 800,’ the
faith-based station broadcast from a new 440 kW transmitter. TWR Broadcast
Engineer Dave Pedrsen outlines this massive project in the TWR Bonaire feature.
Closing
the features section, is the annual round-up of digital broadcasting. This
year’s edition investigates the distinctive characteristics of analogue and
digital transmission systems. Predictions are that medium wave and FM
broadcasting will remain viable to a world audience.
Ulf-Peter
Hoppe, adjunct professor of physics, updates the annual HF Broadcasting Reception Conditions Expected During 2019. His
predictions are for a good year of reception on the HF broadcasting bands.
The
National Radio section includes
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 world 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 of 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
73rd edition of World Radio TV
Handbook, is a wealth of vital information for any radio or television
hobbyist. It remains the most comprehensive exemplary reference book, and a
must-have for your listening post. I highly recommend this excellent
publication.
