Dear Jim,

PASSPORT's "What's On Tonight" section is fairly accurate, based on
information available at presstime and educated guesses. The "Blue
Pages" frequency list is more accurate when the book is first
available, growing somewhat less so as time goes on and as we enter the
summer schedule. PASSPORT is at its strongest with regard to its
product reviews which are, in my opinion, the finest available. While
not totally "unbiased" (as long as you have human beings you will have
bias!) they are far more informative and accurate than, say, users
opinions on eHam, etc., valuable as those are. PASSPORT actually uses
laboratory instruments to measure the SW products being tested and I
know of no other source which does that.

For frequency schedules, WRTH is more accurate, as it is published
later in the year than is PASSPORT, and WRTH updates their frequency
list online when the summer season starts. WRTH has far more frequency
and station information than does PASSPORT, especially for MW and/or TV
DXers.. WRTH is weaker with regard to product reviews.

PrimeTimeShortwave is, in my experience, the most accurate and
up-to-date schedule list and is updated very fast. However, its main
limitation is that it does not show what "shows" are playing (and, of
course, you have to be "online" to read it or download it). I
personally still prefer looking things up in a book though, of course,
I realize that an online list can be inherently more accurate.

All that said, I find both PASSPORT and WRTH to be invaluable guides
and I buy them every year. Frankly, I don't see how a serious SWL can
do without them. I couldn't! Of course, I also make use of whatever
other sources of information I can. They ALL have their place.

Best,

Joe

I buy PTWBR mostly for the equipment reviews. I also like the highlights on
various countries' program offerings and their spotlight on a particular
region/nation (2006 features China). I find that *sometimes* the blue page
schedules are dead-on, but oftentimes they're not. That's why I also have
primetimeshortwave.com fired up and ready to search in case I come across a
broadcast that is not listed in PTWBR.

Jackie

Thanks everyone for your input. Seems Primetime is most peoples favorite in
regards to accuracy...



"Buzzygirl" wrote in message
news
I buy PTWBR mostly for the equipment reviews. I also like the highlights
on
various countries' program offerings and their spotlight on a particular
region/nation (2006 features China). I find that *sometimes* the blue
page
schedules are dead-on, but oftentimes they're not. That's why I also have
primetimeshortwave.com fired up and ready to search in case I come across
a
broadcast that is not listed in PTWBR.

Jackie

Dear Jim,

The ILG database is also superb. Formerly it took over a month for the
current schedule to be posted but this time they've outdone themselves:
the A06 schedule is already posted. I recommend that you and everyone
else get their password and download it.

Also keep checking WRTH's site. I'm sure they will have the complete
A06 schedule available for downloading very soon.

Best,

Joe

I have never cared for the ILG database. I don't like the format that it's
presented in...


"Joe Analssandrini" wrote in message
oups.com...
Dear Jim,

The ILG database is also superb. Formerly it took over a month for the
current schedule to be posted but this time they've outdone themselves:
the A06 schedule is already posted. I recommend that you and everyone
else get their password and download it.

Also keep checking WRTH's site. I'm sure they will have the complete
A06 schedule available for downloading very soon.

Best,

Joe

On 2006-03-31 16:35:44 -0800, "Jim Hackett" said:

I have never cared for the ILG database. I don't like the format that it's
presented in...

I'll have to speak up and say that I dig ILG big time.

Perhaps the reader I use makes it more usable for me. OS X only:
http://homepage.mac.com/jimwatson and it is free. He also offers a
nice free darkline/MUF map that automatically syncs with WWV for
current data.

--

acs

---
Grundig Satellit 800M, Degen 1102,*FR200,*
100' Random Wire, Degen "31" Amplified Loop,
Pulling signals out of thin air in the Pacific Northwest Since 1992
http://www.chevyorange.com

AC Smith wrote:


I'll have to speak up and say that I dig ILG big time.


So do I. I like the detailed info ILG provides for each entry. In
fact, if I were permitted only one frequency guide, I'd go with ILG....
provided the schedules were being released in a timely manner.

It's good to see that the A06 scheds have come out promptly. With the
B05 scheds, though, there was such a delay that a lot of folks here
were speculating on whether ILG was simply not doing scheds any longer.

junius

Geee Whiz,kidz,,, homepage.mac.com has added a clock.WOW!
cuhulin