Passport to World Band Radio, 2009 Edition

I can't believe that this is the 25th edition of this wonderful reference book. I've been buying them ever since the first issue. And each one was worth the upgrade. After all, would you want to search for a TV program with last years TV Guide? Shortwave broadcast stations change their programming, their hours, the language used and even the area of the globe they broadcast to. Without this guide you are just shooting in the dark if you are trying to listen to a particular type of programming.

Each year there are reviews of radios, antennas and other listening equipment. Believe me they are not afraid to say what they think and why in their thoughtful and clear reviews. You will know why they liked or didn't like something after reading them. One reason I like to keep my older issues, is so that I can check out the reviews of equipment that I run across on eBay, hamfests, etc. If you are shopping for a world band radio you can save the price of this book on your next radio purchase (new or old).

There are insightful articles about countries around the globe and things you can learn by listening to their local radio stations. The 2009 edition has an approximately 15 page article titled "Columbia: Bandits, Ballads, and Broadcasts". Very interesting!

Then there are the "Getting Started" articles that educate and make a beginner comfortable. Those articles, plus the product reviews, take up almost 200 pages this year.

After that there is a section titled "What's On Tonight". This gives some recommendations about stations and programs to listen to each hour of the day. Detailed enough to take up about 50 pages in the book.

Then there are 60 pages of addresses and contact information of broadcast stations around the world.

The next section is "Worldwide Broadcasts in English". Most of us know that the USA, Canada, Great Britian, etc. broadcast in English. Would you like to listen to news and music from Mongolia? Or, considering the Middle Eastern situation, there are Syrian, Iranian, Saudi, etc. broadcasts in English. There are about 15 pages with schedules in this section.

The final narrative section is "Voices from Home". this is a 15 page section about broadcasts in a station's native language.

Then there is a 13 page glossary with photos of radio and shortwave listening terms and abbreviations.

Finally, there is the detailed schedule by frequency and then time of what you might expect to find on the radio. These schedules are done in a graphic format that is easy to understand. Let's just say that this un-numbered section is between 150 and 200 pages long.

So, for under $20, don't you think you are getting your money's worth?

Purchased as a gift for my husband who enjoys listening to his shortwave at night. Excellent choice - lists lots of broadcasts by country and time. Great explanations of terms

If your an avid SWL or just getting started, this is a wonderful book. It also has good, honest reviews on equipment that are up to date. If you're looking to purchase a short wave set, the price of this book is well worth it before you plunk down your hard earned cash.

This is one of the best books (if not the best) out there for reviews, frequencies, and schedules for HF world band radio. However, the recently published 2009 edition arrived missing 30 pages that were omitted by the publisher. I would give it 5 stars if the pages were not missing.

Amazing Amazon quickly replaced with another book that had all the pages.

Serious radio listeners should never purchase a new radio without checking on what radios are available - and how they rate for function and price. Science is changing at an ever increasing rate. Annual upgraded issues of "Passport to World Band Radio" leads in presenting this new information. It also gives information on collectible vintage radios of interest.

Furthermore, the reader is given an update on stations that can be received from all parts of the world.

Radio improvements occur almost on a daily basis, but this publication is the best single reference helping amateur and even professional radio enthusiasts stay informed.