N8KDV,

"The bottom line is though that SW has never really 'taken off'
in the USA, other than for radio hobbyists, and casual listeners."

This is basically due to three Factors: Geography, Politics and Society.

* While the USofA and Europe may be view as having roughly the
'same' Geographic Size and Populations.
The USofA is One Country and Language. {Unified}
IMAGINE: Each US State having it's own State Radio Station:
The Voice of George; Radio Free Vermont; Colorado State Radio; ETC.
Vice- Europe is made up of many Countries and many Languages. {Fragmented}
NOTE: Many European Nations are about the Size of 'States' in the USofA.

* The Politics of Radio Broadcasting is Different in the USofA
and in Europe.
In the USofA Radio Broadcasting is 'controlled' by one National
Government through "Commercial Licensing" (A Government
Controlled Private Enterprise with a large number of 'independent'
and "Network" Radio Stations.)
Vice - In Europe Radio Broadcasting is 'controlled' by many
independent National Governments through Government Controlled
Radio Stations and Government Networks with a limited number
of radio stations.
NOTE: In Europe Longwave, Medium Wave and Shortwave are all
used to get the Government's Message Out within the Country
and throughout Europe.

* The Societies (Populations and Languages)
The Radio Broadcasting Model in the USofA is based on One Language
and Multiple Radio Broadcaster that are Independent of Government
Control. American's basically speak one Language: English.
(The Commercial Radio Stations presented "Diverse Messages" and
the American People could pick and choose.)
Vice - The Radio Broadcasting Model in Europe is based on Many
Languages that are Spoken in Europe. The Government 'controlled'
Radio Station Monopoly presents the Government's Message.
Europeans had to listen to Radio Stations from other Countries
to get some "Diversity" and Information that was Independent of
Government Control. Longwave and Shortwave allowed Europeans
to get this information. Plus since the distances were shorter
(within the European Continent) and in 'uniform' "Single" Evening
Time Period; Shortwave was like listening to an in country
broadcast. (Strong Signals and No Fading.)

TBL: Geography, Politics and Society came together in Europe to
make Shortwave Radio Broadcasting a 'popular' {useful} media.
Vice - In the USofA those same elements worked "Against" Shortwave
Radio Broadcasting becoming a 'popular' {useful} media.

Something-to-Think-about: Had Ford, GM, Chrysler, American Motors,
and many other old Automobile Companies. Each been allowed to
Set-Up a Shortwave Station to Broadcast Nation Wide then there
would have been a Shortwave Radio in every Car and Truck in
the USofA. Just look at Today's Marketing of XM Radio and
Sirius Satellite Broadcasting Systems by the Auto Companies.

wmcis ~ RHF
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= = = dxAce wrote in message
= = = ...
James Boyk wrote:

Thanks. I'll look for one of these.

I don't "get" another poster's comment about SW not taking off in the USA.
There's a huge potential market of SWL's here; why shouldn't makers of SW radios
try to sell them?

If there were a market, the manufacturers would have tapped it.

If you think there is a market why don't you draw up a business plan, borrow some
money, and have the car radios manufactured?

They do so for 'stationary' radios; why not for cars? The
remark that US broadcasters "can't target" listeners here is unintelligible to
me, as many of them do target listeners here as well as abroad.

Listeners here are targeted in a certain sense, however, the Smith-Mundt Act
prohibits it, as I recall.

The bottom line is though that SW has never really 'taken off'
in the USA, other than for radio hobbyists, and casual listeners.

Steve
Holland, MI
Drake R7, R8 and R8B

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm

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