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Fred Osterman's Shortwave Receivers Past & Present: Communications Receivers 1942-2013, the most recent and fourth edition of his definitive guide, is an indispensable tome for anyone with a serious interest in shortwave radio. This massive, 800-page book is not merely a catalog but a comprehensive encyclopedia, meticulously detailing over 1,700 receivers and their variants from more than 360 manufacturers worldwide. It is a work of passion, and its quality and depth reflect Osterman's decades of experience as a radio dealer, collector, and historian.
What sets this book apart is its encyclopedic scope and the sheer volume of information it provides in a single, accessible volume. Each entry includes a clear black-and-white photograph of the radio, accompanied by essential details like its coverage, circuit type, display, key features, performance notes, and original new and used values. For collectors, restorers, or prospective buyers, this is invaluable. Trying to identify a "boat anchor" radio at a hamfest or on eBay? Osterman’s guide makes it a simple matter of cross-referencing to find a wealth of information at your fingertips, rather than piecing it together from disparate and often unreliable internet sources.
The book's organization is intuitive and practical, with manufacturers listed alphabetically. This makes it easy to find specific models and compare them to others. The inclusion of equipment from both domestic and international manufacturers is a major strength, providing information on lesser-known but historically significant European and Asian radios that are often difficult to research elsewhere. For a hobbyist, this opens up a whole new world of discovery
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The fourth edition is a significant expansion of previous versions, adding over 1,000 new entries and updated information. It's a testament to the author’s dedication to keeping the guide as current as possible, even with the inherent challenges of documenting an ever-evolving field. The book itself is a high-quality, hard-bound volume, printed on glossy paper. Its physical heft (weighing over six pounds) makes it a "boat anchor" in its own right, a fitting tribute to the heavy-duty, no-nonsense radios it chronicles. While some of the information is, by necessity, a snapshot in time (for example, used values and manufacturer status), the core data on the radios themselves remains an essential historical record.
In an age where information is supposedly everywhere online, Fred Osterman's Shortwave Receivers Past & Present stands as a powerful argument for the enduring value of a well-researched, physical reference book. It's a resource that you can trust, a pleasure to browse, and a celebration of the golden age of communications receivers. For any shortwave listener, amateur radio operator, or electronics collector, this book is not just a useful tool—it is a mandatory and cherished part of the collection.