The future of shortwave?
 

I am interested in the latest views on this topic.

What do you think - has shortwave got a future?

Views/links to articles would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Mike Terry wrote:

I am interested in the latest views on this topic.

What do you think - has shortwave got a future?

Views/links to articles would be very much appreciated.

Do you actually listen, or do you just surf the net finding articles?

dxAce
Michigan
USA

This morning I talked to a guy in Colorado for over half an hour via
shortwave (40 meter ham radio). A bit later I talked to a VK station
(Australia). I live in Michigan. I can imagine what it would cost to
make a phone call to those places. But for the price of a small amount
of electricity (and a radio of course) I was able to talk to them (via
efficient SSB). Do I think shortwave has a future? Yes I do.

Jim

On 6 Jun 2005 22:42:35 GMT, "Mike Terry"
wrote:

I am interested in the latest views on this topic.

What do you think - has shortwave got a future?

Views/links to articles would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

"R.F. Collins" wrote:

This morning I talked to a guy in Colorado for over half an hour via
shortwave (40 meter ham radio). A bit later I talked to a VK station
(Australia). I live in Michigan. I can imagine what it would cost to
make a phone call to those places. But for the price of a small amount
of electricity (and a radio of course) I was able to talk to them (via
efficient SSB). Do I think shortwave has a future? Yes I do.

In deference to Mr. Terry I believe he was addressing the issue of shortwave
broadcasting rather than amateur radio. It goes without saying that the 'use' of
shortwave, in general, will continue for some time.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

Besides my obvious plug for ham radio, I was also implying that I
don't believe "AM" can continue to be the standard for shortwave
transmission (due to power costs). I don't really think DRM is the
solution either. SSB is more efficient and can be decoded without the
added costs associated wth a proprietary system.

My point is that for shortwave broadcasting to continue, cost of
transmission and reception will be the top priority. Content is
unfortunately not as important.

Just my carefully disguised opinion. Not so much now.

Jim

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 19:33:50 -0400, dxAce
wrote:



"R.F. Collins" wrote:

This morning I talked to a guy in Colorado for over half an hour via
shortwave (40 meter ham radio). A bit later I talked to a VK station
(Australia). I live in Michigan. I can imagine what it would cost to
make a phone call to those places. But for the price of a small amount
of electricity (and a radio of course) I was able to talk to them (via
efficient SSB). Do I think shortwave has a future? Yes I do.

In deference to Mr. Terry I believe he was addressing the issue of shortwave
broadcasting rather than amateur radio. It goes without saying that the 'use' of
shortwave, in general, will continue for some time.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

"R.F. Collins" wrote:

Besides my obvious plug for ham radio, I was also implying that I
don't believe "AM" can continue to be the standard for shortwave
transmission (due to power costs). I don't really think DRM is the
solution either. SSB is more efficient and can be decoded without the
added costs associated wth a proprietary system.

My point is that for shortwave broadcasting to continue, cost of
transmission and reception will be the top priority. Content is
unfortunately not as important.

Just my carefully disguised opinion. Not so much now.

Well, it was indeed carefully disguised. :-)

dxAce
Michigan
USA

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 19:32:03 -0400, R.F. Collins wrote:

This morning I talked to a guy in Colorado for over half an hour via
shortwave (40 meter ham radio). A bit later I talked to a VK station
(Australia). I live in Michigan. I can imagine what it would cost to
make a phone call to those places.

Five cents a minute on Callvantage (which I happened to check). that's only
$3 an hour (and falling).......


But for the price of a small amount
of electricity (and a radio of course) I was able to talk to them (via
efficient SSB). Do I think shortwave has a future? Yes I do.

Jim

On 6 Jun 2005 22:42:35 GMT, "Mike Terry"
wrote:

I am interested in the latest views on this topic.

What do you think - has shortwave got a future?

Views/links to articles would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

I am interested in the latest views on this topic.

What do you think - has shortwave got a future?

It's outa here. Thank the Internet... especially broadband. The BBC no
longer broadcasts on shortwave to North America because they feel they have
more listeners on the Internet. They are also available on both of the
USA's satellite radio services.

And coming soon-- radio on your cell phone. That will make international
broadcasters available everywhere... including metropolitan areas where
interference sources and the need for an outside aerial made shortwave
listening impossible.

Hi Mike:

- Yes, Shortwave has a future..
for communication over long distances - at low cost
or
for military applications..
or
for commercial SW that doesn't neatly fit into the larger commercial
loop... Including Pirates..

As for the cost of fixed stations.. I think WBCQ is on the cutting
edge, building a wind farm to power it's transmitters..

L am as an avid shortwave listener for more than 50 years unfortunately I am
sseing demise of shortwave broadcasts, such as BBC and VOA.

"Mike Terry" wrote in message
...
I am interested in the latest views on this topic.

What do you think - has shortwave got a future?

Views/links to articles would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike