Cutting through the propaganda with the Global Radio Guide

The world has held its breath during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While internet access is one of the first targets of invading regimes intent on controlling the narrative, the vast reach of shortwave radio transcends borders and other forms of connectivity.

As one of the only remaining publications with international broadcast frequencies and schedules, the 18^th Edition of the “Global Radio Guide (Summer 2022)” by Gail Van Horn, W4LVH, has all the details you need to keep abreast of the ongoing conflict.

Published by Teak Publishing, the Global Radio Guide (GRG) is available worldwide from Amazon for $8.99 and carries an in-depth, 24-hour station/frequency guide with schedules for selected AM band, longwave, and shortwave radio stations. The publishers claim that the resource is the only radio publication that lists by-hour schedules that include all language services, frequencies, and world target areas for over 500 stations worldwide.

In this updated edition, regular GRG contributors Ken Reitz (KS4ZR) and Fred Waterer, both of The Spectrum Monitor, post features on monitoring international broadcasters at the forefront of the events, while Larry Van Horn, N5FPW, adds detailed information on the monitoring of utilities on the shortwave bands, including military communications. 

The GRG includes listings of DX radio programs and internet website addresses for many of the stations in the book, as well as entries for time and frequency stations.

Radio Propagation

In addition to the global hotspots, the publication covers other places on the radio dial like the tropical bands; and not only are these bands heating up with world events, but the HF bands themselves are becoming more alive with renewed solar activity. Tad Cook, K7RA, shares his atmospheric expertise with a primer on radio propagation while maintaining an eye on the ever-evolving Solar Cycle 25.

DX Central’s Loyd Van Horn, W4LVH, breaks down the basics of getting started with medium wave DX and provides a summer project by diving into the powerful KAZ antenna that listeners can use to pull in elusive medium wave signals from far beyond their home.

Whether you monitor shortwave radio broadcasts, mediumwave, amateur radio operators, or aeronautical, maritime, government, or military communications in the HF radio spectrum, the publishers say the GRG has the information you need to help you to hear it all.