Radio World - November 19, 2008 - (Page 44)

44 Radio World | radioworld.com OPINION November 19, 2008 ADVERTISER INDEX This listing is provided for the convenience of our readers. Radio World assumes no liability for inaccuracy. PAGE ADVERTISER WEB SITE URL N READER’S FORUMN (By the Way, Don’t Do This) The short life span of software means that a new “better” product is expected in the very short term, which leads to the need for improved hardware, which leads to rapid obsolescence of hardware. Therefore it is necessary that hardware be inexpensive, which means it is generally manufactured in the most inexpensive way possible with a short life expectancy. The short life expectancy of software and equipment leads to inadequate training for support techs because they must learn the new product and have little 35 32 34 22 5 8 13 17 20 39 40 19 31 3 4 7 33 1 30 18 40 40 24 25 29 40 36 28 10 6 27 23 15 12 37 21 9 11 2 48 47 AEQ, SA Anritsu Company Armstrong Transmitter Co. Arrakis Systems Inc. Audemat AudioScience Inc. Axia - A Telos Company Axia - A Telos Company Balsys Companies Belar Bext, Inc Broadcast Electronics Broadcasters General Store BSW Burk Technology Comrex Corporation Comrex Corporation Continental Electronics Corp. Davicom, a Div. of Comlab DaySequerra/ATI Digital Radio Engineering FM Services Global Security Systems Global Security Systems Google Inc. Gorman Redlich Mfg Grace Broadcast Sales Henry Engineering Inovonics Inc Logitek Mayah Communications GmbH Musicam - USA Omnia - A Telos Company PTEK Radio Systems Inc SCMS Telos Systems - TLS Corp. Tieline Technology Vorsis Vorsis Wheatstone Corporation www.aeqbroadcast.com www.anritsu.com www.armstrongtx.com www.arrakis-systems.com www.audemat.com www.audioscience.com www.axiaaudio.com www.axiaaudio.com www.balsys.com www.belar.com www.bext.com www.bdcast.com www.bgs.cc www.bswusa.com www.burk.com www.comrex.com www.comrex.com www.contelec.com www.davicom.com www.daysequerra.com www.digitalradioengineering.com www.towermonitor.com www.gssnet.us www.gssnet.us www.google.com/ads/asaudio www.gorman-redlich.com www.gracebroadcast.com www.henryeng.com www.inovon.com www.logitekaudio.com www.mayah.com www.musicamusa.com www.omniaaudio.com www.ptekpower.com www.radiosystems.com www.scmsinc.com www.telos-systems.com www.tieline.com www.vorsis.com www.vorsis.com www.wheatstone.com Just picked myself up off the floor after reading Steve Lampen’s article (“Caveat Emptor Is Always Good Advice,” Sept. 24). It reminds me of a service manual for the Sony BTU-200A Umatic video recorder. The manual gave at least a page and a half of instructions about how to connect the ’scope and the digital volt meter, and which direction to approach the adjustment from (CCW vs. CW) — then, as the last item, at the bottom of the page, it tells us: “Do NOT make this adjustment as much as possible.” Not near as funny, but further proof that “six weeks of English might not be enough.” Randal W. Howard Chief Engineer KJLL(AM) Tucson, Ariz. Tech Support’s Vicious Cycle I tend to agree with the engineer Paul McLane mentions in “Products That Work, Out of the Box” (Sept. 24). The trend of inadequate support and documentation has been surfacing for several years and has been most notable in automation systems. In my opinion, as PCs continue to be used in or as the platform for equipment we use, the trend will continue. I think this mimics the model established by Microsoft, which rarely documents adequately; I believe MS along with the entire IT industry is likely responsible. The push to get large volumes of inexpensive product to market — product often not really ready for the real world — as well as the attitude that “documentation is available online” are keys to the lack of adequate documentation and support. In addition, “support fees” and “extended warranties” are big revenue generators. Unfortunately, the average first-line support technician knows little about the product, often frustrating the average engineer, who actually knows more. The engineer is further frustrated by time wasted “going through channels” trying to reach someone who can really help. Compounding the issue is what I will refer to as a “throw it away” mentality. I recently purchased a headphone amplifier. The cost was $25. Frankly, if it doesn’t work out of the box, it really isn’t worth my time to do anything but order another. Regardless of when it fails, I will simply throw it away and purchase a new one. I find it ironic that PCs — which are generally assigned a usable life of three to five years — are being used in transmitters that typically boast a 15-year usable life. Further, in times past we would purchase audio delivery systems (cart machines, etc.) and expect them to serve 7 to 10 years, longer in some cases; but again we are now relying on PCs with half the life expectancy for audio delivery. I find it ironic that PCs — which are generally assigned a usable life of three to five years — are being used in transmitters that typically boast a 15-year usable life. — Roger Taylor experience with the old, while the “new” product will be the “old” in a matter of months, again leaving the tech with little experience with any product they are expected to support. Further, documentation takes time, which is generally unavailable because a new product is out before adequate documentation can be completed for the old. The push to get volumes of product “out the door” to make way for the latest product generally means the product is rarely set up and tested adequately. There are manufacturers that are still “old school” and provide outstanding support and excellent product, but they seem to be a rare breed these days. Roger Taylor Director of Engineering/IT GAP Broadcasting Lubbock, Texas reading Radio World “ Iforenjoy new product information the and find the tips from other engineers helpful. Either in the office or in my car, I always have a Radio World close by. Cessna Won’t Teach You to Fly I’d like to comment on the issues raised by the user who found lacking documentation on his exciter and transmitter purchases (“Products That Work, Out of the Box”). I can think of several reasons for this. First, some designers excel at their craft but are not good writers or have the ability to relate their thoughts to others on paper. I once had a flight instructor who was a good pilot but not a good instructor. His inability to relate techniques and issue constructive criticism caused me to no longer engage his services. See DESIGNERS, page 45 Engineer Lincoln Financial Media KYGO, KQKS, KKFN, KEPN, KRWZ Denver Shown: Heil Handi Mic Pro Plus Michele Grove ” http://www.radioworld.com http://www.aeqbroadcast.com http://www.anritsu.com http://www.armstrongtx.com http://www.arrakis-systems.com http://www.audemat.com http://www.audioscience.com http://www.axiaaudio.com http://www.axiaaudio.com http://www.balsys.com http://www.belar.com http://www.bext.com http://www.bdcast.com http://www.bgs.cc http://www.bswusa.com http://www.burk.com http://www.comrex.com http://www.comrex.com http://www.contelec.com http://www.davicom.com http://www.daysequerra.com http://www.digitalradioengineering.com http://www.towermonitor.com http://www.gssnet.us http://www.gssnet.us http://www.google.com/ads/asaudio http://www.gorman-redlich.com http://www.gracebroadcast.com http://www.henryeng.com http://www.inovon.com http://www.logitekaudio.com http://www.mayah.com http://www.musicamusa.com http://www.omniaaudio.com http://www.ptekpower.com http://www.radiosystems.com http://www.scmsinc.com http://www.telos-systems.com http://www.tieline.com http://www.vorsis.com http://www.vorsis.com http://www.wheatstone.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Radio World - November 19, 2008

Radio World - November 19, 2008 IBOC+Satellite? Subscribers Not Impressed The New World of AM DA MoM Contents Newswatch Buterbaugh Legendary in Upper Midwest From the Editor Buterbaugh: His Colleagues Look Back Workbench: What’s Wrong With This Picture? KFI Back at Full Power With New Tower 3G or Not 3G? That Is the Question Exploring HD Radio Availability in Philadelphia HD Radio Scoreboard Digital News GEP For That Bird Without a Wire A Chat With Bay Country Radiolicious Brings Radio to iPhones People News Belar FMHD-1 Clears the Skies Reader’s Forum Radio Thrives in Digital Age A Vote for Change

Radio World - November 19, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.