[BC] IBOC comments

[Barry Mishkind]

Folks,

While there are many in the larger markets who have been "under the gun" of 
late, installing IBOC systems (sometimes under seemingly "silly" timelines) 
and occasionally even getting an IBOC receiver for your car/truck, many 
more are "out of the loop."

These folks may or may not have read the trades, they may or may not have 
been to the NAB conventions. They may or may not have even heard an IBOC 
receiver (and you know it is soooo easy to get one of them! <g>).

There is no need for us to bash each other over the issue, nor assume that 
because someone either likes what is happening - or decries it in a loud 
voice - they are deserving of scorn.

I've noticed, over the years, that some of you have been on many lists and 
groups - some back to Fido and Compuserve - and spend hours typing in 
responses to listeners who ask the same questions over and over. While I 
get tired of the everlasting queries on station IDs and "when can we play 
obscene records?" ... I also know that some of you feel this is "putting 
something back in."

Why not use the same patience with those in smaller markets/stations that 
ask again and again why IBOC is "the system"??  After all, they are our 
brother/sister engineers.

Over the past year, I've invited quite a few folks to write an article for 
me to publish in print, or on the web, so we can explain to all those out 
there (including those who do not subscribe to mailing lists, etc) the 
why's and how's of the situation. Most of the replies I get note the busy 
life we all lead. Yet, I see all these long posts on the lists - lists that 
do not reach everyone.

I have to comment Barry McLarnon and Phil Alexander, in particular, for the 
efforts they have made to make the technology and situation clearer to 
everyone. Their articles in Radio Guide have brought many comments from 
folks grateful to have a "fuller picture" of what is going on.

Have they exhausted the topic? No.  Other folks, like Steve Davis, have 
taken the time to share the things they are learning as the rollout continues.

The invitation is still there. We can continue to bash those whose opinion 
is different than ours (just as the highly politicized nature of society 
today seems to demand), or we can strive to teach, illuminate, assist others.

Some of this can/ought to be on this list.
         a simple time line of the major events leading to the current status.
         Can someone do this?  I'd even post it on oldradio.com so it
         could be pointed to in future, rather than rehashing it again
         and again.

         How about some real life data on your install. What
         sort of coverage did you get? What did you lose?
         What happened that will help someone else?

If you are interested and willing to doing something for print, please let 
me know....  I'd be glad to chat with you.



_______________________________________________________________________
Barry Mishkind     -       Tucson, AZ    -   520-296-3797