On 10 Oct 2006 07:28:17 -0700, "galaxyguy"
wrote:


" Shortwave broadcasting is an
anachronism in the civilized world."

Galaxy Guy replied:

I'm not so sure that you can call anywhere "the civilised world" but
maybe you mean the highly developed world of modern satellite and other
digital and analogue routes of transmission which are possible. SW has
been with us as long as radio has, call it an anachronism, call it
quaint,
but it is still there and it often means using a radio dial (hurray!)
to tune into whichever station you come across. Most households have
radios with SW on them; even 'ghetto blasters'
in the 90s still had SW. In this world of clinically perfect sound
sometimes it can be a pleasure to take a trip of discovery on SW. Some
anachronisms are worth hanging onto.
I like steam engines but I don't expect the railroads to use them.

David wrote:
I like steam engines but I don't expect the railroads to use them.
Galaxy Guy replied:
Ah, but in the UK and across Europe, especially Eastern Europe, you
will find many rail lines that still only run steam trains. It is a
major enthusiasts hobby, huge infact, with many volunteers running
previously closed rail lines and making a success of it. You'll even
find narrow gauge with chains on Mountaineous lines running steam
trains. People love steam
they also like Eurostar TGVs - trains de grand vitesse; (nobody very
much like diesel engines though overmuch) Railway lines can be
different gauges and operate different types of train but the one thing
they have in common is that they carry railway engines, carriages and
people. Radio waves are much the same, some are state of the art
digital affairs, some date back to the late 19th century but they all
work and just as there are people who rescue steam railway engines and
are devoted to them, so also there are people devoted to all the
idiosyncries and anachricisms of SW. Ownership of SW radios is high,
but I agree people tend to make infrequent visits to the 31 metre band,
for example.
However just as in the railway industry there is room for state of the
art trains, with radio
the situation should be just the same. I think there is room and life
for SW for some time yet.