Thursday, February 14, 2013

2013 World Radio TV Handbook Review


2013 World Radio TV Handbook

The new year brings many things to radio hobbyist, including new goals for a successful DX season. Ultimately, listeners always welcome the new edition of World Radio TV Handbook, a stalwart in the industry for 67 years. This year’s edition is no exception, as WRTH continues their reputation as a comprehensive reference book for broadcast radio hobbyists.

The 2013 edition begins with receiver reviews including the new receiver, Newstar DR 111. Small and capable SDR (software-defined radio) continue to gain interest, and reviews will leave little doubt that high performance is now available at very affordable prices. The world of Internet radio continues to expand and WRTH reviews the Best of the Year, Roberts Stream 83i. This year’s reviews also include a look at classic DSP receivers.

Features begin with Children’s Radio Foundation (CRF), a non-profit organization in Cape Town. CRF provides tools and skills to make the voices of African youths, an outlet to tell their stories.

With the absence of broadcasting in the Netherlands Antilles, and unfortunately a decrease in tropical band stations, resourceful DXers have shifted to medium wave and FM transmissions. Listening on Curaçao, by DXer, Max van Arnhem reflects on the political and radio changes in the small island of Curaçao.

Digital Update, revises the annual round-up of what has occurred in the world of digital radio and TV during last year.

Freelance writer Hans Johnson, explains why newly-founded clandestine station Khmer Post Radio, has chosen the send their message via shortwave radio.

George Jacobs updates his annual HF Broadcasting Reception Conditions Expected During 2013, with a prediction of improved grade of service for the worldwide HF listening audience.

National Radio, 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 website if applicable.

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

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 closes this section.

The Frequency List covers medium wave, shortwave, DRM, and a by-hour listing of multilingual international and DRM broadcasters, plus an update on terrestrial television. Closing out this year’s edition is an extensive reference section of global transmitting sites, radio clubs, standard time and frequency stations, and selected Internet Resources.

The World Radio TV Handbook 2013, is the ultimate directory of global broadcasting for a worldwide radio audience. WRTH continues their tradition of producing the very best, most comprehensive and most authorative radio reference book. It is an exceptional annual guide.

World Radio and TV Handbook (BOK ) is available from Grove Enterprises www.grove-ent.com http://www.grove-ent.comfor $ plus S/H. For orders call 1-800-438-8155 or email order@grove-ent.com mailto:order@grove-ent.commailto:order@grove-ent.com. Address: Grove Enterprises, 7540 Highway 64 West, Brasstown, NC 28902 USA.
Review by Gayle Van Horn, Monitoring Times Frequency Manager/QSL Report editor