so where can the Radio Amateur Callbook be purchased in US these days?

[Gary Shaddick]

Just curious. A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased. Thank you.

[David Wade]

Just curious.  A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased.  Thank you.

for the UK the RSGB except they call it the Yearbook.

[David Wade]

Post by David Wade

Just curious.  A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased.  Thank you.

for the UK the RSGB except they call it the Yearbook.

oops you were talking USA and as it now contains 1.6million call signs
only on CD or USB stick

https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2012007305

[Gary Shaddick]

Post by David Wade

Post by David Wade

Just curious.  A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased.  Thank you.

for the UK the RSGB except they call it the Yearbook.

oops you were talking USA and as it now contains 1.6million call signs
only on CD or USB stick
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2012007305

That's too bad. The gentleman has no PC or Internet to speak of, so
those items won't do him any good. My own online research seems to show
no printed callbooks beyond the late 90's or earl

[Jeff Liebermann]

Post by Gary Shaddick

Post by David Wade

Post by David Wade

Just curious.  A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased.  Thank you.

for the UK the RSGB except they call it the Yearbook.

oops you were talking USA and as it now contains 1.6million call signs
only on CD or USB stick
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2012007305

That's too bad. The gentleman has no PC or Internet to speak of, so
those items won't do him any good. My own online research seems to show
no printed callbooks beyond the late 90's or early 00's.

<https://www.callbook.biz>
1.9 million call signs, but only on USB stick or CDROM. He will still
need internet access in order to obtain updated information.

If he's willing to take the plunge, the cheapest usable computer is
probably a refurbished Chromebook:
<https://acerrecertified.com/chromebooks/>
One of these should suffice:
<https://acerrecertified.com/chromebooks/?_bc_fsnf=1&Screen+Resolution%5B%5D=1920+x+1080&Screen+Resolution%5B%5D=1920+x+1200&mode=4&sort=priceasc&limit=12>
If he needs detailed advice, the email and phone number in the message
signature works.

For internet access, I suggest he ask a neighbor if they are willing
to share their broadband connection via wi-fi. If that can't be
arranged, then have him visit a relative, coffee shop or library that
has internet access via wi-fi.

If he's financially limited, many service providers offer low income
rates under the Affordable Connectivity Program:
<https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/acp>
<https://www.att.com/internet/access/>
<https://official.spectrum.com/lfo-broadband>
Others:
<https://www.highspeedinternet.com/view-plans3>

Good luck.

[David Wade]

Post by David Wade

Post by David Wade

Just curious.  A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if
the hard copy book could still be purchased.  Thank you.

for the UK the RSGB except they call it the Yearbook.

oops you were talking USA and as it now contains 1.6million call signs
only on CD or USB stick
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2012007305

That's too bad.  The gentleman has no PC or Internet to speak of, so
those items won't do him any good.  My own online research seems to show
no printed callbooks beyond the late 90's or early 00's.

No internet required. Available as USB or CD-ROM...

Seeing as that page says it only runs on obsolete versions of Windows
(xp through 8) I am pretty sure he could be sorted out with a suitable
laptop for a minimal sum. If asks on local Freecycle or Craigslist even
possibly for free...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/354985694918

is reasonable price...
... I guess as he doesn't have one he can't use one and doesn't want to
learn to use one. If so not a lot we can do...

Dave

[Jeff Liebermann]

Post by David Wade

That's too bad.  The gentleman has no PC or Internet to speak of, so
those items won't do him any good.  My own online research seems to show
no printed callbooks beyond the late 90's or early 00's.

No internet required. Available as USB or CD-ROM...

The OP also mentioned that this gentleman doesn't have a PC.

Perhaps a tablet, smartphone, game console or Android TV? These all
have built in browsers which might suffice for looking up call signs
using:
<https://www.qrz.com>
<https://www.arrl.org/fcc/search>
<https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAmateur.jsp>
<https://hamcall.net/call>
<https://www.qth.com/callsign.php>
<https://www.wm7d.net/fcc_uls/>
etc...
I just tried a few of these on the most garish and animated web pages.
The more elaborate pages and ads wouldn't display because the built in
browsers lacked Javascript and possibly HTML5 support. However, the
simple search sites worked well.

I changed my mind about recommending a Chromebook as a minimalist
computer for call sign lookup. Instead, a cheap tablet or eBook
reader, with a browser and wi-fi, might be a better solution,
especially if he can't properly type on a keyboard. Speech to text
might also help when entering the call sign.

[David Wade]

Post by Jeff Liebermann

Post by David Wade

That's too bad.  The gentleman has no PC or Internet to speak of, so
those items won't do him any good.  My own online research seems to show
no printed callbooks beyond the late 90's or early 00's.

No internet required. Available as USB or CD-ROM...

The OP also mentioned that this gentleman doesn't have a PC.
Perhaps a tablet, smartphone, game console or Android TV? These all
have built in browsers which might suffice for looking up call signs
<https://www.qrz.com>
<https://www.arrl.org/fcc/search>
<https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAmateur.jsp>
<https://hamcall.net/call>
<https://www.qth.com/callsign.php>
<https://www.wm7d.net/fcc_uls/>
etc...
I just tried a few of these on the most garish and animated web pages.
The more elaborate pages and ads wouldn't display because the built in
browsers lacked Javascript and possibly HTML5 support. However, the
simple search sites worked well.
I changed my mind about recommending a Chromebook as a minimalist
computer for call sign lookup. Instead, a cheap tablet or eBook
reader, with a browser and wi-fi, might be a better solution,
especially if he can't properly type on a keyboard. Speech to text
might also help when entering the call sign.

He also said "no internet to speak of" which rules all those out....
... but of course that can probably be fixed...

Dave

[Gary Shaddick]

As far as technology goes, he's not going to do it. He's in his late
80's and as such is adamant that he's not doing anything digital since
he's never had or used a PC, Smartphone, tablet, etc etc.

The last printed Callbook, which I researched and found online for
download, was from 1997. I did mention that he might be able to obtain
one of these '97 ones online used, but with the consequence that he
would be so many years behind current info. He says thanks but no
thanks and he'll just continue logging with pen and paper as he always
has and accepting the fact that he'll never be able to verify the calls.

Thanks again to all. Personally, never being able to verify would drive
me bonkers, but I guess not him.

Take care

[Jeff Liebermann]

Post by Gary Shaddick
As far as technology goes, he's not going to do it. He's in his late
80's and as such is adamant that he's not doing anything digital since
he's never had or used a PC, Smartphone, tablet, etc etc.

You give up too easily. Maybe some peer assistance or pressure:
<https://sirinc.org>

I'm 75 years old and I'm familiar with the problem of not being able
to learn new things. I've done computer repair (and other things)
since about 1983. Many of my original customers are still around and
into their 80's. Given sufficient incentives and pressure from the
relatives, they are able to learn, slowly.

However, if all he wants is a call sign lookup, it should be possible
to build a Morse code to ASCII text converter. He uses a straight key
to input the call sign, which connects to a call sign server via the
internet. A small computer (Raspberry Pi, tablet or smartphone) takes
care of the conversion, and then uses a text to speech converter to
provide the necessary address. The Morse key could probably be
replaced by text to speech, but I think the Morse key would be more
fun. Something similar might be available for handicapped access.
<http://www.arrl.org/resources-for-the-disabled>

Post by Gary Shaddick
The last printed Callbook, which I researched and found online for
download, was from 1997. I did mention that he might be able to obtain
one of these '97 ones online used, but with the consequence that he
would be so many years behind current info. He says thanks but no
thanks and he'll just continue logging with pen and paper as he always
has and accepting the fact that he'll never be able to verify the calls.

Would printing 2 million call signs and mailing addresses make him
happy? At 3 mm per line, that would be 6,000 meters (3.7 miles) in
printed text. Instead of pages in a book format, something like an
ancient scroll would probably. By comparison, a typical toilet paper
scroll is 23 meters (75 ft) long. Of course, the paper would need to
be thicker for printing and the "book" would need to be split in
sections, but it would work. Any plotter that supports paper in rolls
should work. It should be possible to find software that will handle
long strips, such as a banner printing program.

Obviously, he's not going to be able to print it himself. However, it
should be possible to find someone interested in doing it for him.

Post by Gary Shaddick
Thanks again to all. Personally, never being able to verify would drive
me bonkers, but I guess not him.

I've never understood contesting, DX and QSL card collecting. For me,
it's an aspect of ham radio that I've never found to be of interest.

Post by Gary Shaddick
Take care

[Kevin Alfred Strom]

So far as I know, the print version is no longer published.

With all good wishes,

Kevin, WB4AIO.

Just curious.  A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased.  Thank you.

[Jim Pennino]

Post by Gary Shaddick
Just curious. A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased. Thank you.

Nope, CD-ROM and USB stick.

[Julian Macassey]

Post by Gary Shaddick
Just curious. A gentleman asked me recently and I had no idea if the
hard copy book could still be purchased. Thank you.

It appears not. The international book was published by
Buckmaster publishing. Nowadays all of this data is available on
line.

Their international book was always far from complete.

https://buckmasterinternational.com/