This is an easy-read travelogue by a shortwave hobbyist who knows Latin America from several journeys to countries who operated shortwave and medium wave broadcast stations from the 1970's through the early 2000's. Most of these stations are now silent. Many shortwave hobbyists can only travel to distant countries and continents virtually through their radios and imaginations, but Don is an experienced traveler to Latin America. This becomes obvious in his detailed descriptions of the places and people that made up the fabric of life in Central and South America during this era. Broadcasting in Latin America was quite different from what we heard in the U.S. as many stations were very low-powered and operated on a shoestring. Many shortwave (and medium wave) stations have left the air in Latin America as FM is now the dominant means of over-the-air entertainment. Don Moore's book brings to life a colorful past in Latin American broadcast media. The book is also rich in its description of local culture, history and geography of the countries of Central and South America. Don's book also includes memories of his shortwave listening hobby and thoughts on international travel in the 21st century along with an Appendix on the stations he visited and a collection of relevant media related to the countries visited. More background on the hobby and Don's extensive knowledge of Latin American broadcasting can be found on his two websites: www.Pateplumaradio.com and www.DonMooreDXer.com.

This book is perfectly named.

In "Tales of a Vagabond DXer," author Don Moore takes readers along as he wanders across the years and continents, delivering us to the doorsteps of odd, colorful little radio stations in the highlands of Guatemala or steaming equatorial jungles of South America. It also recounts in a very personal way the impact that shortwave radio had in forming his personality and launching him into an international life mainly traveled and lived in Central and South America.

The story he tells is very intimate, sharing his time as a young man with the Peace Corps in the Third World; detailing his youth, romantic relationships and experiences that turned him into a 'vagabond DXer'; bringing us along with him to visit small-time domestic radio stations in far-flung Latin America villages; and introducing readers into the odd, close-knit community of long-distance radio aficionados.

Along the way we get a good picture of an interesting, complicated man living abroad within a slice of the world not often seen. The book is also generous with detailed background stories, history not seen elsewhere, such as a treatise on the rise of Fidel Castro, focusing on the role played by his guerilla radio station, Radio Rebelde in the Sierra Maestre.

Recommended for fans of adventure travel, radio broadcasting, Peace Corps stories and just anybody looking for a few evenings of engrossing diversion.

Don shares his personal journeys from a boy who discovers the world through shortwave radio to his early career in the Peace Corps, both of which enable him to travel and understand Latin America and the world. If you're into radio you'll enjoy (and relate to) Don's stories of his catches, QSL's, stations he has visited, clubs and friends he has made. Don's accounts of the politics of Latin America from a broadcasting point of view is fascinating. The free spirit of traveling a mostly underdeveloped continent in the 80's makes for a book filled with enviable stories that even a non-radio person will enjoy. This book has a little something for just about everyone.

Being an avid SWL since the 60s, this is certainly a great read for the Latin American SW station scene in the 70s and 80s. The book brings back alot of memories of my listening and QSLing those 60 meter shortwave stations. The travel stories from country to country, station to station in Latin America were fascinating.

Excellent addition to my Shortwave Radio Listening Library... Thanx!

I’ve just finished your “Vagabond” book and found it very intriguing, especially the visit to La Voz de Atitlan, not to mention your personal history and your love of radio, which is quite similar to my own (although minus all the travel and adventure.) I’m a homebody and certainly lack your sprit. My parents used to tell me about my visiting uncle Ray who’d sneak over and turn off the Philco console when I’d leave the living room. As soon as I noticed the change I’d turn it back on. (it didn’t have to be tuned to anything,!) I guess what fascinated me was the feeling of warmth and safety the dial light gave off even though I was just a small boy, just learning to walk at the time and had nothing to be concerned about during those years.

I recall most of the stations you mention but for many of the MW’ers, except for HRVC and one or two others on SW. I did manage to hear 4 or 5 countries on MW including New Zealand (2YA in Wellington) and one or two high powered Europeans. But I soon realized that foreign MW DXing offered very limited scope for me in the Midwest.

However, If new countries are all one cares about why ignore the AROs? I did manage to log FO8AJ, (the Clipperton Island DXpedition) which bugged my late friend Kent Corson no end, especially after I got a QSL.

After sampling the other modes I found SWBC held the most interest for me so I decided to stick with it… to specialize. I was also familiar with the bad guys”- non-verifiers such as the Peruvian Radio Delcar”; 6700 and unlicensed (?). Some of those smaller stations didn’t even seem to have a typewriter!

But, back to your book. You, on the other hand, were almost pre-destined to go the multi-mode route. Broadcasting was your “thing’’ whether SW or MW. Obviously, you are quite happy with your choice and more power to you! Though I don’t know if you are planning another book. At least I hope there’ll be another Blandx or two.

Congrats on a very fine job!

Next stop-Ghosts!

A VERY GOOD BOOK. BEING A DXER IN THE 60'S TO PRESENT MANY OF THE STATIONS DON VISITED WERE HEARD BY ME.

I had read many stories that were forgotten over the years. Don packaged them up in sequence and updated them for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I learned some interesting things as well

It was so good that I hoped for more chapters