"Jack Painter" wrote in message
news:%BoWc.8655$Ka6.1867@okepread03...

"Frank Dresser" wrote


Radio is a mature technology. There's not much difference between the
current radios and the radios of ten years ago. But there hasn't been
much
change in refrigerators or washing machines lately, either.

Hi Frank, your point is understood, but not supported by that argument -
advancements in technology are affecting everything, especially radio.

Certainly not everything, not even the most expensive thing for most people.
Homes are built the mostly the same way, and using mostly the same materials
as they were fifty years ago. Sure, there's some detail differences in
construction and matereials, but not much.


Software defined radio is opening entire new applications in
communications.


I think WinRadios were first sold over ten years ago. Other computer
controlled radios such as the R-71 and NRD-525 date from the late 80s.


And washing machines, btw, are using vastly new technology to use a
fraction
of the water formerly required; they no longer twist/agitate during wash
and
use transmissions to literally spin things dry, reducing dryer energy
required.

Front load washing machines were always more water and energy efficient.
They date from the 50s, if not before. A common gag in the old electronics
magazines of the early TV era involved someone who mistook a front loader
for a round screen TV.

Front loaders weren't common until recently because water and energy
efficiency weren't so important to most buyers, especially since good,
reliable top loaders were available at a much lower price.

There has been an unfortunate spread of electronic controls on what should
be simple appliances, but this trend started in the late 70s. I had a
neighbor who has a 20 something year old high tech refrigerator which a
couple of qualified repairmen said can't be repaired at a reasonable cost
because the electronic controls are expensive and now almost unavailable. I
might given board repair at the component level a shot, but I didn't want to
deal with it. My neighbor was given a cool 1950 era Kenmore which is
controlled by a good ol' bulb and tube thermostat which might outlast us
all.

I will admit I haven't kept up with the latest in gee-whiz appliance tech.
For all I know, marketers have decided we all want refrigerators which need
remote controls and internet connected washing machines.


These are just examples that technology continues to advance at an
amazing rate, and it is impossible to predict how far or what effect this
will have on a given process or media, etc.


now, they get it on TV and give it to the news networks. The message
will
trickle down to radio and the internet later. And that message will
usually
be just excerpts from a TV speech or TV press conference.


Whose to say that shortwave radio may not one day be integrated as a form
or
source of messaging into the internet-streams for use by cellphone
information systems? Or even in reverse as a method of backup
communications
when cell towers are not available?


The problems are obvious. SW bandwidth is usually less than 30 MHz, the
signals have world wide interference potential, and propagation is
unpredictable.

The interface between technology and the
free market make anything possible, and only the timing remains the
deciding
factor. When we want something, it's soon there for us.


Back in the 60s, lots of people thought we'd have our own personal jet
packs, commuter flights to the moon and home robots which looked just like
cute actresses. Oh, well.


Sometimes
technologies "hang on" even when they seem outdated, because they are
popular, offer an alternative form of entertainment, and/or have a backup
capability that would be too costly to replace, once abandoned.

Jack



At one time, nearly all ships were sail powered. Steam power made sail
power obsolete. Sail power might be a back-up for steam power in some ways,
but mostly it isn't all that useful for modern commerce or navies. That
hardly means sail power has disappeared. There are still plenty of sailing
ships, and plenty of sailors for them. And you can be sure they these
sailors haven't been conscripted, impressed or Shanghai'ed. The crews of
current sailing ships are boating hobbyists.

I see shortwave in a similar way. Most of the applications for shortwave
can now be done in different ways, better ways. But the ionosphere is
still a wonderful natural resource, and will always be a playground for
radio hobbyists.

Frank Dresser