[R-390] spiraling values

[w9ya at arrl.net]

We are in the 100th market Tee Wee wise here. There are slightly over 200
total, and the station I engineer at is already digital because of our
needing to meet FCC deadlines for our market. There was precious little
wiggle room and we are now running both analog and digital signals on two
different channels simply because the FCC said we have to.

I rather believe that the April 2009 deadline to cease analog transmission
will be met as there will be little reason not to and precious few
arguments that will carry any weight. The rest of the stations will
already be running digital transmitters by then, the FCC will see to it.

And so it goes....

Vy 73;

Bob
w9ya

P.S... Our 2gHz interlinking equipment will also be entirely digital by
then as well. Conversions are going on as we speak. Here in Albuquerque we
will be converting during the first half of 2006. i.e. The entire 2gHz
allocation for tee wee aux. use for the U.S. will be digital within less
than a year or so.

> Bernie and Group,
>
>         I think the proposed time line is a little short...short by at
> least
> 10 years probably 20.  I find it hard to believe that the world as a
> whole  could or would move that quickly to Digital.  We've been talking
> about  digital TV in the US for the last 10 years and it still hasn't
> happened to  any great degree.  I think we are on the brink but I expect
> it to take at  least 5 more years to achieve any significant market
> saturation.  The  government (FCC)will slip the deadlines....economics
> always rules.
>
> I don't see any real changes in the domestic AM broadcast band for 10
> years  or more...If one wants to go digital in their cars they can do so
> today with  Sirius or XM today...most are listening to FM.  I can't
> remember the last  time I used the AM radio in my vehicle for
> entertainment...but I cruise the  BCB on my tube gear for a different
> reason....DXing.
>
> I don't see villagers in the jungles of Africa having access to digital
> capabilities due to the economic realities for many years....meaning to
> continue to reach those folks analog service providers will be necessary
> for  many years to come.
>
> If all else fails there will be Amateur Radio analog to tune to.
>
> Personally I think there will be something to listen to on our analog
> receivers for the remainder of our life times....(25 - 30 years.  I'm
> 49)  Can't say much beyond that though.
>
> I think the reality is we will see the prices of these radio's continue
> to  climb till us "Baby Boomers" as we seem to be called are all dead
> and gone.
>
> I'm certainly not ready to dump my collection for next to nothing
> because of  concern of a market crashing technology change.  Heck I'll
> set up my Johnson  Valliant and broadcast at 100mw to the shop and play
> oldies or
> something....HA!
>
> Cecil....
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "bernie nicholson" <vk2abn at bigpond.net.au>
> To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 5:09 PM
> Subject: [R-390] spiralining values
>
>
> Regarding the upward value of tube era gear I think that it will
> probably  survive until the end of analog radio   ,Digital broadcasting
> is about to  take off , and in Australia they are turning off anolog TV
> in a couple of  years time, to use existing equipment one will need a
> set top box  if you  haven't bought a digital TV , but with radio , I
> don't think that anyone  will contemplate the manufacture of  set top
> boxes , Digital radios in mass  production will be cheap , and our
> beautiful 390 RX s will become static  exhibits , GREAT BIG BEHEMOTHS ,
> when switched on to demonstrate you will  still be able to hear static
> and  tube shot noise and the occasional digital  gurgle BUT WILL ANYONE
> BOTHER ?   I don't think so there will be some  relegated to museums BUT
> THE REMAINING  60 000 or so I doubt that you will  be able to give them
> away   , I hope you all don't think that my vision of  the future is too
> severe but I feel pretty confidant that THIS is reality  and it will
> happen  within the next 10 years , I HOPE I AM WRONG , Regards  to all
> Bernie Nicholson
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