Web: www.emwg.info
E-mail: contact@emwg.info
Cost: PDF version 5 euro; PDF version + one update within 12 months 8 euro; Online version: free.
There are two main ways in which radio enthusiasts get reference information, and each has its own disadvantages. One way is to purchase a printed publication that comes out annually, and which therefore gets progressively more out of date. The other, more recent, method is to use the Internet to get information electronically. But this can sometimes be tricky and frustrating to print out, especially if the information is spread across many HTML pages.
For those seeking accurate, up-to-date information about mediumwave broadcasting in Europe, Africa and the Near East, Flemish DXer Herman Boel solved both these problems, by offering a publication in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). An online version is also available, free to consult, and the first place we always look for answers to mediumwave questions that we receive from listeners and Web users. In 2008, the Euro-African Medium Wave Guide (EMWG) celebrated its 10th anniversary. It is a partner of the Medium Wave Circle, the leading mediumwave DX Club.
Regular updates
The database is updated on a regular basis, so whenever you check the online edition it contains the very latest information, which is usually less than two weeks old. This gives it a great advantage over traditional printed references such as the World Radio TV Handbook. Careful attention has been paid to the spelling of places. Herman Boel has tried to respect the local language(s) as much as possible.
Although the online version is free, there is a modest charge for the PDF version, which is customised for the individual user. You can order one version of the EMWG for 5 euro, or one version of the EMWG plus one update within 12 months of the initial order for 8 euro .
What do you get?
So what do you get in the way of information? In December 2004, the EMWG merged with James Niven's African Medium Wave Guide, and now the publication gives full listings of mediumwave stations in the whole of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Not surprisingly the data is in tabular format. The first section is the listing of all stations in frequency order, with columns for frequency, country abbreviation using the standard ITU country codes, station name and location, power, and hours of operation in UTC, plus additional language and programming information. The PDF version also has the advantage of being searchable.
Recently, an extra column has been added providing you with the distance in kilometres or miles between your location and the station. After ordering via PayPal or by sending money via post, you send an e-mail to the publisher informing him of the coordinates (degrees, minutes) of your home location and whether you want the distance in kilometres or miles. Afterwards you will receive an e-mail with the PDF version attached.
In addition to the frequency and country lists, the PDF version also contains an introduction to long and medium wave, an ITU list of EMWG countries, and a list of must- visit Internet links for longwave and mediumwave.
Up-to-date
The listings are maintained with the help of a number of active mediumwave listeners, meaning that changes will be noticed and reported very quickly. This is one of those publications which, once you've started to use it, make you wonder how you ever managed without it. The editor, Herman Boel, is responsive to user feedback and uses constructive criticism for the continual improvement of the publication. In fact, there's an online survey form on the website. If only commercial publishers would do the same!
In 2008, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the EMWG, a new website was launched covering the history of longwave and mediumwave broadcasting in Europe, and the site is growing rapidly with lots of audio clips. This website is well worth visiting in its own right.
This review was compiled by the staff of 'Media Network', the English language Webzine from Radio Netherlands Worldwide. The review was done independently of the editor and publisher. Radio NetherlandsWorldwide has no financial connection with either, and provides the information above in good faith.
Tags: EMWG, longwave, mediumwave, radio, review