Passport to World Band Radio by Lawrence Magne
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Book Reviews of Passport to World Band Radio
Book Review: A Classic--Valuable for Years
Summary: 5 Stars
I first got into shortwave listening in the mid-90's on a Sangean 505. Not a great receiver, but a good one--particularly starting out. Somehow or other, I found out about Passport to World Band Radio. Passport made shortwave listening fun. I still have my first copy, the 1997 edition.
Now I have a Hammarlund 180a, a "real" receiver that puts the likes of my beloved 505 to shame. Passport is a near-requirement with better quality receivers, if only because there are so many more stations to identify.
There are alternatives for finding stations. Monitoring Times is a great magazine, and it includes a station log every month. WRTH is great, and it inclues more frquencies than shortwave. There are quite a few resources online.
But for the "total package" -- ease of use, quality of content, equipment reviews, foreign addresses, a glossary, a "TV Guide" section spotlighting major broadcasts by 1/2 hour, the frquency guide itself -- nothing I've seen comes close to Passport to World Band--the ultimate niche publication.
I'm writing this in February 2010, and I would buy this 2009 edition today if I didn't already have it. Since it's "old," why?
It was old the day it was printed--a bit like a world atlas or dictionary. But while things have changed since publication, they have not changed so much to render the edition obsolete. Think of Passport as your "baseline" reference, your foundation. If you're not up on "the basics," Passport will get you up to speed.
I'd think this (evidently) final edition would be valuable for purchase through 2010 and into 2011, if not somewhat beyond. I wouldn't let the "2009" scare you.
If you're interested in shortwave, grab a Sony 7600gr and a copy of Passport to World Band Radio. They may be the two best deals going in the shortwave world, and they'll complement each other like white on rice.
Book Review: Goodbye to an old friend
Summary: 5 Stars
I started listening to shortwave radio (world band radio) in the 60's with a Zenith TransOceanic 1000 receiver and I'm still at it today using a Sony 7600GR. About every other year for the last 10 years or so I've purchased the yearly Passport to World Band Radio book. Frankly, I don't know how I got along without it. Everything you need to know (and then some) about shortwave radio listening and stations is in this beautiful, glossy book. Found a station on a frequency at 0300 GMT in Spanish? Passport will tell you exactly what station you're listening to, how long it will be on, what kind of programming to expect, etc. Want to listen to a Cuban, German or North Korean broadcast in English? Passport tells you where to tune. It also has comprehensive, no-holds-barred reviews of all types of shortwave receivers and antennas (super cheap to ultra expensive). This book is a true bargain. But now I hear this 2009 edition may be the last. All good things come to an end, I guess. Perhaps the publishers will relent. Perhaps not. Take this opportunity to get the 2009 edition while it is still available.
Later update: Passport has now announced that this will be the last issue.
Book Review: Great book to have
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a beginner at shortwave radio so I'm still learning all about it. Book is full of good information. I like the reviews of the various shortwave radios from the most basic type to the high end tabletop version. They are very detailed. Also antennas are reviewed. Articles are interesting and present various station programing. I also like the schedule that is included at the end of the book. From what I've read on the internet, it looks like there is no 2010 version...so this one is the latest. If your considering buying a shortwave radio, this book may help you choose the one you want. Also consider that depending on where you are at on this planet, you may not be able to listen to all stations. I've found that an external antenna works best, keep it away from electrical sources, they emit radio interference. This book explains these concepts. Buy it!Book Review: A "Passport" in every sense!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you happen to have a SW receiver or are just interested in the hobby, I say to you,this purchase will give you an opportunity to see what is available,what stations are on and at what time and a brief paragraph describing the content.
This book will answer most questions a person interested in the field would have.Written by radio enthusiasts that had the same questions when they approached this hobby and/or pasttime.
Printed yearly,it is kept up to date. You may not be bitten by the bug but let me tell you this. The world changes all too frequently for most of us,and to be able to go around the world,to sit in on broadcasts from every place on the globe,well,it is indeed a "window to the world"!
When an evening approaches,you can sit down andlet your radio and this "passport" take you around the world.And it won't take 80 days!
Book Review: Still the best source of shortwave radio information
Summary: 5 Stars
For people who are even only marginally interested in shortwave radio, this is the best resource available. It has information about almost every shortwave station in the world (at least the licensed ones), reviews/ratings of shortwave sets for readers interested in buying a radio, a schedule of airtimes for what the editors consider the best programs on shortwave and some fairly interesting related articles.
One caveat: While Passport stakes a claim to being the "TV Guide of Shortwave Radio" because it makes some effort to follow schedule changes, not all the information about the stations listed is necessarily new. For truly up-to-date schedule information, get a copy of "Monitoring Times" magazine instead.