good old tuners going obsolete

Here is a bit of it. You can read the entire concept if you follow the link and form your own opinion.

" The transition from analog to digital technology could be made in any number of ways--the possible architectures for a new band plan are as infinite as the engineering imagination. The most popular transition model in use around the world today is the Eureka 147. In this model, an existing radio station receives a new swath of spectrum from which to broadcast its digital signal. Over time, the station's analog signal is terminated and new stations are allowed to use the vacated bandwidth. This model has been proven effective in efficiently allocating new and existing audio space.

The U.S. implementation model before the Federal Communications Commission, however, is quite different. Called the In-Band-On-Channel plan, it allows existing stations to use the space on and around their current analog channel to broadcast the digital signal. For example, a station broadcasting at 97.9 would use the space between it and the stations next to it on the dial for its digital broadcasting. When its analog signal is eventually terminated, the entire swath of bandwidth would belong to that station. "

http://oldsite.prometheusradio.org/artdigital.shtml

Ditto Armstrod and Sherod. I have a Fanrare FT-1A Analogue
Fm tuner and pick up a plethora of wonderful FM stations in the greater Phila area, which I will sorely miss if and when they cease broadcasting in current format. I have only recently subcummed to getting Digital (comcast) TV, and absolutely hate it. It constantly is plagued with digital distortion where my standard signal never was. I plan to unsubscribe this week. Anyway, I will sorely miss my cherished FM signals (In addition to my Fanfare, I also use a vintage circa 1961 Scott FM LT110 tube tuner which, with a good FM signal (live brodcasts for example) bests even my best CD source material). The better we get the more we go down hill...

Bbro, If your digital box is macro blocking ( or tyling ) then you have a problem that should be serviceable. A good tech should be able to solve your riddle. If not then keep going up the comcast chain until someone important enough hears about it. Then you will get a good tech. If you try hard enough you should be able to find the e-mail address of the president for Penn. I know my president gets enough e-mail from irrates! Let me tell then people start scrambiling!

I am anticipating instead of static from a weak sation or a rainy day ( in digital radio ) we just wont get anything at all.

Kt_88,

Although it might be "common knowledge" at Circuit City and Best Buy, here's what the FCC has to say:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-271699A1.pdf

Please direct your attention to the bullet, "Refrains from imposing a mandatory conversion schedule for radio stations to commence digital broadcast operations".

I read that to mean digital only OTA broadcasts aren't quite as imminent as widely believed. If you have evidence to the contrary, I'd love to see it.

David

Digital-only OTA braodcasts would be tough one for the radio stations to swallow since just about 95% of their listeners listen while driving. Dead silence wouldn't cut it for most drivers, and buying and retro-fitting digital receivers to millions of automobiles would probably be a slow process.