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February 16, 2006
Second World Tech
What is technology? What is high tech? Think about it for a minute. Now read this:
If you had the opportunity to look into the radio room of most ocean going commercial ships, chances are the integrated bridge, radar and Inmarsat equipment would be made by the Japan Radio Company. This company founded in 1915, is clearly the leading manufacture of top quality commercial maritime radio communications equipment in the world. The JRC NRD-545 DSP is the latest receiver in this very long and very proud tradition. And the '545' may be the finest receiver they have ever offered. The substantial size and ergonomic layout, make this receiver a pleasure to operate. Intuitive knob layout, a conventional keypad, and separate buttons means that this receiver is comfortable and straightforward to operate. You won't find a button on the NRD-545 with six different functions! The multicolored display, is the clearest and most attractive in the industry.
Like me, you probably can't think of the last time you thought about shortwave radio. When I was a kid, I spend tireless hours listening to god knows what on Pops' EMUD. But it was that same fascination that brought be to the internet. Nobody I know thinks about radio tech. As far as I can tell by looking at some of these radio websites, there are few or no American companies thinking about making money in it either.
Bringing this back to current events, I was thinking about this for a hot minute listening to Chertoff complain about his inability to communicate during the Katrina crisis. I mean where would he turn to for his radio equipment? It's not like you could make a Best Buy run for some transceivers. A couple years ago when I went to the Miramar Air Show, I got into a snit about the traffic. It basically took about two hours to get off base. I had some walkie talkies and I was all over the place trying to figure out what was up including calling 911 on the cell and relaying information back to the adhoc network of folks on the citizens' bands. Needless to say, I think most Americans would be in a very serious pickle without the 110V flowing day and night.
Just something to think about.
And one more thing. You'll notice that the latest BDS meme is all about how morally suspect people are when they are not broadcasting every trivial detail about themselves 24/7 on the proper network with the proper spin. Pathetic.
Posted by mbowen at February 16, 2006 09:44 PM
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Comments
Eton corporation, based in Palo Alto, California, sells shortwave radios. They're also adding satellite radio capabilities to their high-end products. Many of the radios they sell are designed and manufactured in China; rebranded from Tecsun or Degen.
Oddly, while listening to a shortwave broadcast last month, I actually heard an advertisement for a shortwave radio. Ironic! I posted about it here:
http://cobaltpet.blogspot.com/2006/01/shortwave-radio-commercials.html
Posted by: weatherall at February 17, 2006 07:52 AM
For a moment I thought that perhaps Vertex Standard, the parent company of Yaesu was an American company. However a quick check at Hoover's showed me otherwise. They've done a great job of marketing.
Posted by: Cobb ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mdcbowen.org/cobb/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 17, 2006 07:55 AM
Come on now. If you check the obvious place in America to find a radio, you'll see that there is lots of capitalizing going on.
Only the ignorant will be in a pickle.
Posted by: Rashid Muhammad at February 17, 2006 10:42 AM