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Don’t Give Us a Mandate
In the article “Xperi Cautions Against One-Stop Approach to Receivers” (radioworld.com) the company is quoted as telling the FCC: “As more radio stations convert to digital operations, a minimum product requirement including digital radio capabilities for car and portable AM/FM will ensure continued efficient use of the AM/FM band and the services they provide.”
To which I say no! Stop! We don’t want or need another HDTV-style forced government conversion to radio receiver designs.
In our marvelous American capitalist economy, the all-seeing, all-knowing “invisible hand” of the marketplace should be allowed to determine radio receiver requirements. Consumers avoided purchase of IBOC-capable radios in droves. IBOC is a flop, a la AM stereo decades ago. AM stations converting to digital are numerically miniscule.
When American consumers demand digital AM, manufacturers will respond with gusto with new digital radios. No need for the heavy, dead hand of government to force radio design decisions.
James B. Potter Kimberling City, Mo.
