On the Short Waves, 1923-1945: Broadcast Listening in the Pioneer Days of Radio [Hardcover]

Jerome S. Berg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786405066 | ISBN-13: 978-0786405060

As radio developed in the early 1920s, the focus for most people was the AM band and stations such as KDKA, the first broadcast station. There was, however, another broadcast method that was popular among many early enthusiasts-shortwave radio. As is true today, the transmission of news and entertainment programs over shortwave frequencies permitted reception over great distances. For many in America and beyond, shortwave was an exciting aspect of the new medium. Some still tune the shortwave bands to enjoy the programming. Others pursue broadcasts for the thrill of the hunt. This book fully covers shortwave broadcasting from its beginning through World War II. A technical history examining the medium's development and use tells the story of a listener community that spanned the globe. Included are overviews of the primary shortwave stations operating worldwide in the 1930s, along with clubs and competitions, publications and prizes. A rich collection of illustrations includes many QSLs, the cards that stations sent to acknowledge receipt of their transmissions and that are much prized by long-distance collectors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"excellent writing and research...numerous illustrations. ...a fast-paced, richly illustrated tour of a time when radio was young and the public was still deeply in love with its magical ability to bring the world to their homes" -- QST

"fascinating" -- Wavescan

"hundreds of illustrations.... This fine work is extensively footnoted and includes a comprehensive reading list and index" -- Monitoring Times

"the definitive story of the birth of shortwave radio...an important, ground breaking book that should take a prominent place in every DX library (the illustrations alone are worth the price of the book)" -- Journal of the North American Shortwave Association

"there have been previous books about international and shortwave broadcasting, but this is the first that looks at the subject from the perspective of the hobbyist listener. ...clearly written...one very interesting book" -- Voice of America

"this book gives you a rare, and often personal, worldwide view of this particular medium. ...profusely illustrated" -- North American Radio Archives

"very impressive. Every so often, there comes a publication which is so unique and so outstanding that you know instantly it will become a classic. This is one such publication. To sum it up in a single word: masterpiece" -- Radio Netherlands Real Radio

About the Author

Jerome S. Berg is a shortwave listener and collector who lives in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786405066
• ISBN-13: 978-0786405060
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,757,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book fills a need..., March 15, 2000

By 

David Coursey (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Short Waves, 1923-1945: Broadcast Listening in the Pioneer Days of Radio (Hardcover)

For several years I've been wondering that the author has been doing gathering old QSL cards and other radio trivia.

Berg's book is a wonderful payback to all those who've contributed. He has written an excellent, if not exhausive, history of international broadcasting through the end of the second world war, with an emphasis on American stations. (The are several volumes about Nazi propaganda broadcasts you could also consider).

If you only read one book on the hitory of radio, it should be Empire of the Air. But if you read two, or have a special interest in shortwave (as I do) this is a good choice. I hope there will be a volume covering 1945 onwards -- perhaps just about shortave in the cold war.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good history of SWL and DX publications and clubs., September 28, 2010

By 

Michael Olszanski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Short Waves, 1923-1945: Broadcast Listening in the Pioneer Days of Radio (Paperback)

Lots of details on DX clubs and magazines of the twenties and thirties. No theory or technical history. More a social history of the lure of long distance "DXing" on the Short waves and the Broadcast Band in the early years.
For what it is, it's a great read.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book on the subject, July 7, 2000

By 

"loujo3" (Potomac, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Short Waves, 1923-1945: Broadcast Listening in the Pioneer Days of Radio (Hardcover)

Jerry's written the definitive history of the shortwave meduim up to WWII. It's all downhill from 45 to the dawn of the net. And that is a book. Until then read war of the black heavens.