"No Ford HD Radio for 2009 - Taken-for-a-Ride?"

"Kind of a downer to close out the year, and a possible warning for
the future... a family member works in Detroit on auto designs for
future years, and the audio systems that go in them. During a recent
holiday chat, he informed me that he was just about to wrap up the
work for Ford 2009 models. 'So they have HD tuners, right?' I asked.
Well, no they don't he responded. They are loaded and ready for Sirius
radio, THX sound as an option, many other lovely audio treats, but
unless requested custom by the buyer, HD will not be included in the
2009 audio systems."

"I find this bit of news to be very very troubling. It also adds to my
growing fears that while it 'seemed like a good idea at the time'
spending $250,000 to upgrade our signal to HD was a HUGE waste of time
and money. Sure, we did some much needed upgrading of our transmitter
site, beefed up the infrastructure and wiring, but I think we could
have done it for less than a 1/4 mil."

"It would be less than kind to suggest that we're being taken for a
ride on this, but with virtually no interest from consumers and no
support from industry leaders, it sure feels that way."

H(D)appy New Year

Joe Vincenza
WUWF Public Media, Pensacola