Customer Reviews

Shortwave Receivers Past & Present: Communications Receivers 1942-1997

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Nearly 500 pages of pictures & data on most SW receivers built in North America & abroad. Contains basic specs & features, picture, descriptions, and data on when built, physical dimensions, and estimates on values. A must for collectors.

Yes, this is a catalog of base receivers, 1945-now. Osterman provides many useful informations, and if it may be true that some informations may not be useful to an european reader (e.g. the 'used' prices), you wil not find a so comprehensive guide elsewhere. Another book will be dedicated to portable sw radios. Osterman is not God, so many data are provided by the readers: it's the way the informations flow in the scientific communities, why not here? If you are an european reader, and you know something Osterman does not, write him. I've done so, and a new chapter in this edition was added with the informations I retrieved.

Fred has done an excellent job of cataloging a wide range of shortwave receivers from the early WWII "boat anchors" up through the modern integrated-circuit PLL synthesized high performance radios of the 1990s. He not only covers the usual radios such as Collins, Drake and National but also the more obscure like the beautiful Gelosos from Italy (I DROOLED over those in catalogs in the '50s).

I guarantee you this book will raise your appreciation for the radios created by the gifted engineers (and the "dogs" created by some NOT so gifted ones) - these wonderful devices not only entertain and educate us but help save lives at sea and keep our conuntries safe.

The Shortwave Receivers Past & Present: Communications Receivers 1942-1997 is an excellent resource book for collectors and those interested in used radios. There are pictures specs and evaluations of hundreds for the shortwave radios in this era.If you are in the market for a used receiver or a collector this is an invaluable resource. Also provided is a realistic pricing of the true value of each receiver as well as a 1 to 5 star evaluation based on the author's many years in the hobby.
This is the Bible for radio hobbists on the subject

This massive volume of almost 500 pages, covers 770 shortwave models from 1942-1997. There are only two things wrong with this book: 1. it stops at 1997, and 2. it is no longer in print.

However those two complaints are now in the process of being satified. According to the Universal Radio website, a new and updated 4th edition is in the works and is scheduled to be released late 2012.

Highly recommended.

Fred has written a very comprehensive book on shortwave receivers that includes a look at some rare and exotic receivers. It is directed at mostly table top or rack mount receivers but discusses a few portables. Notably missing is the Barlow-Wadley portable whose principles inspired many of the receiver designs in this book. If you are a radio collector this book is a "must have".

If you do not already have this book, and have avid interest in communications receivers, shame on you. You have no right to gripe if you are in the dark without the info. Fred needs to come out with a new edition soon. A bargain at the price. A must have, what else is there to say?