Where's the Radio Shark?

[Play Freebird]

Going through some old notes this morning, I came across the preview of an HD "product" named the "Radio Shark" that was announced by Griffin Technology over a year ago. It was supposed to be available last summer:

http://www.ibiquity.com/press_room/news_releases/2007/422

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/09/griffin-developing-radio-shark-hd/

Google the term "radio shark hd" and you'll find all sorts of hype and hoopla dated January '07, but upon close inspection of Griffin's website today, I can't find any mention of it. Anyway, that "fin" antenna doesn't look like it would receive enough signal to decode HD unless located within an FM station's 80 dBu contour.

 

[hipporadio]

I ALWAYS accompany a good radio with A GOOD ANTENNA... but I doubt that the general public does. I learned that lesson [the hard way] owning a 6kw Class A and 25kw directional Class C3. Since leaving broadcasting and going to work in the consumer electronics sector, I have been “slapped up the head” with the reality that the typical consumer ignores the need to attach a good antenna to their radios – even when we urge them to! In fact, many radio manufacturers fail to include them in this era... The reason... Customers WON’T bother to attach the appliances, so why add expense to include them. This is SHOCKING to this owner of a McIntosh MR-78 purchased in 1982, and later a Carver TX-11 [for its AM qualities]. Customers unpack a radio [even a GOOD one] and expect it to work out-of-the-box... SAD, broadcast fans – but TRUE!

This doesn’t bode-well for the HD radio fantasy... FORGET ABOUT AM – these consumers consider a 12-inch “rat-tail” for FM to be an inconvenience... When the receiver fails to provide them with the expected instant gratification – they quickly return it to the retailer as a “defective item”... BTW – this nearly-NEVER happens in the purchase of “internet WI-FI” radios.... [I swear] they “run to the barn” to get a signal! INTERESTING!

You CAN’T change consumers [you CAN – but it’s too expensive]... Hence my negative stance in regards to anemic HD FM services... You should see the overwhelming return-rate on the FEW units sold... NOT something the Sonys of this world wish to deal with! HD FM services are DIFFICULT to receive [to say the least]... VERY FEW radios perform well, and MANY are returned due to dissatisfaction... The “brands” DON’T like that.... Even more in the car, where a consumer in-warranty complaint for a radio’s lack of performance results in a $200—plus claim against the OEM.

These CE-types read here and else-ware and FULLY UNDERSTAND the problems with “HD”... They ARE NOT going to “go there” given the defective status of the system.