Review – WRTH 60th: ‘The one to buy’

The 2006 edition of the World Radio TV Handbook is out, and we cannot agree more with reviewers in other forums that this is probably one of the best ever. The WRTH is celebrating 60 years of bringing shortwave listeners ample and concise information on world broadcasting. But what makes this 704-page edition of the “DXers’ bible” special are the feature articles and extensive frequency lists section.

As has been the traditional format since last decade, the first section is dedicated to articles, maps and advertisements on 96- magazine slick-style pages. The features begin with a brief history of the WRTH and how the annual started out as a frequency list in a Danish newspaper. Then, veteran SWL, author and lawyer Jerry Berg gives us a nice trip down his own memory lane as he relates “50 years of DXing.” His article is nicely illustrated with QSLs from “the good old days” of shortwave listening. Antique radio collectors will love the “60 years of reception” feature as six top receivers, one for each decade beginning in the 1940s and ending in the 1990s, are profiled. Although the WRTH editors admit that many will “violently disagree” with their choices, this is a poignant survey of why these selected rigs were special in their day.

But for those who are more anxious to find out what the future might bring instead of dwelling in the past, WRTH editors questioned four international broadcasting professionals who give their opinions on where they believe radio is headed. The experts dish out their predications concerning shortwave broadcasting and digital technology. The content, style, and information in this features and review section remind us when the WRTH would close its 1970 and 1980 editions with the sorely missed “How to Listen to the World” section. We hope the WRTH will continue to generate more features – maybe even station profiles – in future annuals.

The broadcasting directory continues to be top quality and concise. However, one minor complaint could be lodged against how listings of the domestic radio frequencies in the United States are presented and why the editors selected those cities to make up their list. There are 20 cities under the United States section but not all represent the top 10 cities in U.S. population. The television listings in some countries are also incomplete, for example, Spain and Puerto Rico. We can only guess what omissions have been made in other countries.

However, we are pleased to see that after many years of oversight, the WRTH is expanding its shortwave broadcasting listings by time and frequency in the Spanish, French, Portuguese and German languages. A short list – because at the moment it is limited – of DRM broadcasts is also a welcome.

I have bought the WRTH about once every two or three years since 1977 (the last edition I owned was the 2004), and since then it has been my premiere listening reference. If you have never before owned a WRTH, then this is one to buy.