Jacob Norlund wrote:

Internet radio generally means being tied to an internet-connected
computer, preferably with broadband. The majority of Americans do not
have broadband as of yet. Even with broadband, "tuning" internet radio is
an annoyance. Many of the stations aren't available, and when they are,
you can expect a nice 10+-second delay between clicking "Listen" and
actually hearing something. With shortwave, one can tune around freely
and comfortably. Plus, how many people do you know that regularly listen
to internet radio? Not saying shortwave has any more, but still...

I've heard that attempts have been made to create a tunable internet
radio that would have a satellite broadband connection and work like a
shortwave (or even an AM/FM) radio, but the technology doesn't allow it
at this time. Eventually it will happen-if for no other reason than
Moore's Law-and then not only SW but AM and FM will be in big trouble.
But that's at least 5 years off, if not longer.

As for satellite, it might be nice with XM and all, but the range of
international voices are still small on those services (XM and Sirius).
There may be the BBC, and isn't DW on the other sat? But what about VOR,
R Vatican, RVI, R Netherlands, R Japan, R Australia, etc. Do you actually
think smaller broadcasters (at least less-known ones) will be on the birds
any time soon? From impressions, Worldspace hasn't been going over too
well in the third world, either. It would be awesome to have an open
satellite radio system good for exploring and having a technical element
to it, kind of like shortwave or even satellite TV (Telstar 5, etc.), but
XM and Sirius are nothing more than corporate-controlled networks for
normal consumers who want clear audio and familliar sounds. There is no
thrill.

"Thrill" doesn't drive consumers' choices, unfortunately. But the rise
of MP3's have shown that "free" is still a powerful marketing tool. With
satellite radio, people will think "Why should I pay monthly
subscription fees for something I can get with a normal FM stereo
receiver?" People have become resigned to shelling out big money for
satellite TV (I'm talking small dish stuff like DirecTV and Dish
Network) because of the choice it offers. Satellite radio, from what
I've heard, offers no more choice than AM/FM, and the quality isn't any
better than FM.

"Satellite and internet" are definitely not the forces driving shortwave
stations off the air in developing nations. It's more likely things like
broader FM radio coverage, satellite/local TV, etc. Shortwave, however,
remains the most effective method in such nations of covering a large
audience with little resources (e.g. 1 250 kW SW transmitter vs. 50 50 kW
FM transmitters).

In poor areas shortwave is still number one. In the cities they have AM
and FM, but AM and FM, even when brought to inland areas, have limited
coverage in comparison to the amount of impenetrable jungle or desert
territory with thinly spread populations that many Third World nations
have. In small Third World nations like Haiti or Eritrea, AM and FM are
viable for covering the whole country. But think of South America or
Africa and the vast regions of jungles and deserts with few cities that
exist. These regions have no comparison in the US. Look at a map of
Nevada or Wyoming or Alaska, they are dotted with small cities that can
afford to cover their surrounding areas with AM and FM stations. Then
look at someplace like Brazil where most "towns" are a few shacks in
size and much poorer.


Even in the first world, portability is an issue. Portable shortwave
receivers are small and convenient. If you're out in the wilderness
camping, you can pull out a shortwave with a few dozen feet of wire
attached and hear the VOA, REE, BBC, or Deutsche Welle, without a
subscription or any serious hassles. Has anybody tried listening to
internet radio in such an environment?

Like I said, when an "internet radio" is invented that looks and acts
like a radio but connects to the internet wirelessly, conventional radio
will be doomed. I'm confident that I'll see it in my lifetime (I'm 29).
But until then regular radio will do ok.

On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 01:04:03 -0400, Dan Robinson wrote:

Shortwave is, to our dismay, on the way out. Anyone
who uses as hope the fact that some areas of the world
are still in "need" of shortwave is ignoring the great
potential of internet and satellite for reaching these
same places. Stations are not going to continue to
pay to support shortwave transmission means just
to reach the remotest folks in villages in Africa and
Asia simply because these people are still "thirsting"
for free and objective information. After all, solar
powered internet is already a reality in many places,
as is solar and other alternative powered sat TV.
Hard for many of us (including those of us working in
international broadcasting) to swallow, but it's the
truth...

From: "Mark S. Holden"
Reply-To:
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 2004 00:19:15 -0400
Subject: Shortwave's decline over past five years

tommyknocker wrote:

I was just thinking about this today. Has anybody noticed that shortwave
radio has really declined over the past five years or so? We've lost BBC
and Deutsche Welle transmissions to North America, we've lost several
smaller European broadcasters entirely, other stations have drastically
cut back. Are transmitting facilities really going on the blink so soon
after the end of the cold war? Or has everybody jumped on the BBC's
bandwagon and concluded that satellite and internet broadcasting has
replaced shortwave? Any thoughts?


I'm not happy when I hear another major broadcaster is going to cut back
or stop broadcasting to the USA, but I think shortwave will be around
for a very long time.

In certain parts of the world, internet connections are scarce. Some
parts of the USA don't have affordable access to high speed connections.

While the internet is competition in some respects, it's also a great
resource for information to help you get more enjoyment out of the SW
hobby.

It may just be positive thinking, but it seems we've had somewhat of an
uptick in the number of pirate stations over the last couple years.

The other thing to consider is back when the hobby started, the number
of signals was probably a small fraction of what we have to choose from
today.

Of course one thing you can do to help promote the hobby is get the
better radios you're not using into the hands of kids.