A trivial question..could someone who knows tell me, on those emergency crank radios..

[truth2power]

the ones that have the TV audio . Once all TV broadcasts convert to digital, will that feature be totally non-functional?

It occurs to me that since it's only audio, maybe a person could still get reception. I don't really have a grasp of the physics behind these digital waves, so just thought I'd ask. Comments appreciated. thanks!

[hlthe2b]

1. no.... you won't get digital tv audio on it...

It will remain useful as a radio, however.

[Uben]

2. You can get an upgrade for as little as......

$295 ! !


/sarcasm

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. They will not work

Once all TV broadcasts are digital, the audio is embedded into the digital stream and cannot be deciphered with analog receivers. Of course, new ones will no doubt come out, so you can plonk more cash down for one if TV is so important to you. Analogue FM isn't going anywhere and would probably be better in a catastrophe anyway, since the TV talking heads are fucking useless in a crisis.

[truth2power]

8. Thank you for the detailed explanation. It's not that TV is so important to me..

I watch very little, actually, But we have VERY good weather people on our local TV stations.

During a severe weather watch they pre-empt regular programming and stay with it, sometimes for hours, until the emergency is over. There's no better minute-by-minute information, IMO. Regular radio, on the other hand, just gives periodic updates.

Maybe the newer radios will have that functionality, digital-wise.

[Venceremos]

4. Good question

We have an emergency crank radio that we use during power outages to listen to the local TV broadcasts for emergency info because the local radio stations are pretty much useless (extended power outages happen here at least once a year). I hadn't even thought about the digital issue.

[MineralMan]

5. Time for a small digital TV, I guess.

I'm going to get one to replace the little 5" TV I have that runs on batteries. Around here, power failures are a commonplace, and during thunderstorms, it's nice to know what's up. I have a weather radio, but that's really boring. It's much more interesting to listen to people calling in to WCCO-AM during storms.

[Venceremos]

7. Just when I thought I had my emergency kit complete

Now I have to replace my trusty hand crank radio. The little battery powered digital TVs sell on Amazon starting at around $100, but the cheapest ones get bad reviews.

[slampoet]

6. The music Group "Tv On the Radio" was asked how they feel about this on the Colbert Show.

[truth2power]

9. Thanks to all for taking the time to respond to this....

I'm just trying to plan ahead. I'm sure we'll have our share of severe weather and tornados etc. this summer here in the midwest.