The March 2020 issue of the RadioUser Magazine has reviewed the current edition of the Global Radio Guide (Winter 2019-2020) by David Harris. We here at Teak Publishing sincerely appreciate his review of our flagship publication. You can purchase your copy of the March 0202 RadioUser at https://www.radioenthusiast.co.uk/store/latest-issue/radio-user/. You can get your copy of the Global Radio Guide (Winter 2019-2020) at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082DNSN4P/ for US8.99.
Global Radio Guide (13th ed. Winter 2019 -2020) by Gayle van Horn. Teak Publishing, USA. 2019. 503 pp. eBook format only. £6.86. (available via Amazon)
Global Radio Guide (GRG) may be the new kid on the block when it comes to listener guides as it has only been around since 2014. Unlike other guides, this is updated twice a year and has now reached its 13th edition. From 2014 -2018 it was known as International Shortwave Broadcast Guide (ISWBG). GRG does have a noble pedigree in that it originated in 1993 as part of the much-lamented Monitoring Times (MT) magazine which closed in 2013. After MT closed Gayle decided to continue to serve the SW community through this eBook which now attracts a global audience.
GRG is a veritable encyclopedia of all things SW. It is in two parts: the first part consists of 170 pages of general interest articles about SW radio. Part two is a 300 page, hour by hour listing of broadcasts. The book begins with a lengthy article on Software-Defined Radios (SDR), how they work and their advantages over conventional radios. There is a very good overview of SDRs currently on the market from low-cost dongles to the top of the range Winradio Excalibur. There is also a 13-page review of the Airspy HF+ Discovery. If you are thinking about moving to SDR listening then the book is worth its very modest price just for this chapter.
GRG then updates us on US SW superstation WBCQ and its trials and tribulations in getting its 500 kW. transmitter and fully rotatable Ampegon RCA 4.4. antenna up and running. There are also several general articles on DXing, new products and propagation.
Unlike WRTH, RLG, and WLG, GRG has coverage of utility stations with 30 pages devoted to listings of aviation, maritime and military SW frequencies. This section explores both voice transmissions and the numerous data modes that may be received. There are also many pages of news about SW broadcasters.
If QSLing is an interest then GRG provides addresses for numerous stations with a track record of sending QSL cards to listeners. There are very comprehensive listings of DX programs and website addresses for SW stations.
Some 300 out of 500 pages of this book are devoted to an hour by hour listing guide for all SW broadcasters around the world (plus many mediumwave stations) This is an incredible resource which must take half the year to compile.
GRG is more than just another listener guide – it is a very accessible introduction to all aspects of SW listening. What really stands out is the author’s genuine love of radio. It must take Gayle all of her time to prepare the book and then she has to start all over again in the next edition. For $8.99 (£6.86) it represents phenomenal value for money. I defy anyone with an interest in SW radio not to find something of interest in this fine publication.
