A long time subscriber to both Popcomm and Monitoring times here, up until 2 years ago when the cost of international airmail made the price prohibitive.
Used to read them both from cover to cover and enjoy them. Sadly, many of the good columnists gave up the writing and retired, leaving the magazine to find new people. Those that took their place really tried, but due to readers not contributing material, the magazines are unable to write themselves.
The internet has also taken it's toll. By the time the magazines hits the stores, the information may be out of date and already being debated on sites such as this. It is much easier to get users experience and advice with new equipment in hours rather than weeks.
The advertising is the magazines bread and butter, so it is only natural that they push their advertisers products, even in the guise of reviews.
I totally agree with the Strong Signals comments- Rich Wells is a fantastic reviewer and I greatly enjoyed his website. The time he put in must have been quite monumental and after the birth of his first baby, understandably this could not continue. At least his efforts are still online and can be used as reference.
Reviews of hobbyist radio gear is a labor of love and not something that is going to pay off the house, so we must not be too critical of those who try.
I have not read the AOR review so cannot comment there.
Maybe we need a reviewers thread here on RR?
Commscanaus.
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