[R-390] spiraling values

Tue Dec 13 11:25:02 EST 2005

My comments about the time line was mainly to do with SWBC.  Conversion to 
digital on our TVBC bands is ahead of all the other bands and technologies. 
I do still find it hard to believe that the FCC expects everyone that still 
gets a signal off the air to be digital capable by 2009.  They better start 
giving away set top converters.  I guess the cable companies will still be 
distributing analog well beyond 2009 to accommodate their customers that 
only have analog TV's unless of course they just include a set top converter 
in the standard basic subscription package...

Anyway to be more on topic with this I still expect it to be 20+ years 
before the world of SWBC and/or domestic BC to turn off the last Analog 
transmitter.  So our 390's should be safe for some time to come.

Cecil...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <w9ya at arrl.net>
To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 9:55 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] spiraling values

> 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
>> _____________________________________________________________
>> R-390 mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
>> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
>> Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390
>>
>>
>> _____________________________________________________________
>> R-390 mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
>> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
>> Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________________
> R-390 mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
> Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390
> 