Herculodge

Will SW Band be Gobbled Up by Greedy Corporations?

Thanks, Woolman Penn:

The following article details yet another FCC auction of Ether/Spectrum. 

 

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/39773/?p1=A3

 

The youngsters here may not recall but for many decades since the Telecommunications act of 1934 the ether was, in an almost holy sense, regarded as a public commonwealth, like Yellowstone. Licences to use a portion of ether were granted for limited time periods and subject to the stipulation that the licensed ether be used "in the public interest." 

 

Now spectrum is auctioned off to the highest bidder, in perpetuity, for short term gains to the U.S. Treasury. Essentially multinational corporations are buying up spectrum for paltry sums that Congress spends in a matter of days.  

 

Why are these major corporations allowed to plunk down cash to essentially purchase Spectrum/Yellowstone? Their argument is that they have to make tremendous investments in infrastructure that is dedicated to those specific frequencies.

 

There is no stronger argument for nationalizing the wireless telecommunications infrastructure. With a nationalized telecommunications infrastructure we could let the engineers determine one highest quality/speed/reliability standard and provide it at the lowest cost to the most people. That would be certain to spurn innovation among the masses rather than pouring all of our wireless profits into the duopoly of Verizon and AT&T who make minimal investments in their proprietary systems based upon their profit motives rather than what is actually the best world beating technology.

 Ironically, citizens licensed as Amateur Radio Operators who do provide services in the public interest, share spectrum that remains in the commonwealth, for now. The greedy telecommunications industry would love to purchase that spectrum as well.

 

Verizon, AT&T, and the NAB are among the very largest contributors to campaign funds, of both parties, and lobbyists. They succeed not because they offer the best technology but because the rules have recently (Telecommunications Act of 1996) been rewritten to perpetuate their everlasting dominance.

 

Jay Allen Will Explain the Different Sensitivity in Sangean ATS-909X Models

 

 

Regarding concerns about quality variation in Sangean ATS-909X models, Jay Allen, who posts excellent radio reviews (see link below), writes:

I have now had six ATS-909X samples to check out...three white ones from original production and three black ones from current production. All six have worked properly with no issues and no QC variations I could detect.

However they have made at least one important change with current production and I have also discovered a characteristic which helps explain why different people have such different feelings about its sensitivity. I will be posting a complete update on my site within a few weeks and I think ATS-909X owners will find it interesting.

Jay

http://radiojayallen/com

 

Jay Allen Updates Review of the CCRadio-SW/Redsun RP-2100 on His New Look Site

 

 

Thanks, Vimal:

''Redsun RP2100/C.Crane CC Radio-SW''Jay Allen review now on his site
http://radiojayallen.com/redsun-rp2100c-crane-cc-radio-sw/

Replacing My Abysmal Logitech Z320 Computer Speakers

I'm home sick today shopping online to replace my woeful, cheap Logitech Z320 speakers, which I use at work with a Dell laptop (provided by my employer). 

I notice Amazon has a good price on the M-Audio AV40, $115, and I  own and enjoy those with my home computer, an Apple. 

My only doubt is that I had some M-Audio AV30 speakers at work (replaced, sadly, with the aforementioned Logitech) and they blew a fuse after two years. An Amazon reviewer had the same experience twice with his M-Audio AV40s, so I'm a bit cautious.

I could buy $200 Audioengine A2 speakers, hook those up to my home computer and use my old M-Audio AV40 at work, but honestly I don't need that much power for close listening. 

Last night I cancelled an Amazon order for some Creative T40 speakers, about $90, after I read on Digital Trends a review that says they're a bit shrill and not as good as the AV30.

Any recommendations?

Our Reward for Decreased Gas Consumption and Increased Oil Production? A Hike at the Pumps!

We've decreased demand by conserving fuel and driving less. We've increased oil production. And yet gas prices are higher than ever. I guess the oil companies know they can punk us whenever they want to. 

Eton FRX Series Safety Radios Now Available

 

 

Thanks, Paul:

Eton FRX series of safety radios have been released
and are now available, at least from Frys:

Press release from January 2012
http://www.etoncorp.com/pressrelease/?p_NewsId=1837838

Items:
http://www.frys.com/product/6995697

http://www.frys.com/product/6995687

http://www.frys.com/product/6995717

http://www.frys.com/product/6995707

http://www.frys.com/product/6995667

 

C.Crane SW Radios for Sale As "Orphans"

 

 

 

Thanks, Vimal, for apprising us of this orphan C.Crane sale featured on the SWLing Post. 

Because Your Brain Doesn't Process Enough Info Already: Google Terminator Glasses

Face it. You're brain dead. Spice things up with some Google Terminator Glasses, featuring a smart phone that gives you a crawl across the lenses so you can have internet info while you're driving, walking, touring, lecturing, etc. I can't wait for my brain to explode. 

Grace Debuts New Wi-Fi Radio

 

Thanks, Vimal:

Grace Debuts New Wi-Fi Radio
http://www.rwonline.com/article/grace-debuts-new-wi-fi-radio/211899

Final Thought:

I still haven't pulled the trigger on an Internet radio, but my guess is that soon they will reach a user friendliness and a closness to the experience of analog radios, with more listening options of course, that will make them eventually compelling. 

Calling in Sick to Work Increases 300% When You Have Children

My wife is hunkered down in the bedroom with some virus or other causing me to call in to work and take a sick day so I can stay home with the twins. I realized that with children you call in sick 300% more often: When your spouse is sick, when you're sick, and when your children are sick. 

It's a good thing I've accumulated close to 200 sick days over the last 15 years.