B, come baracchino e Bluetooth

Un ottimo esempio di ibridizzazione tra vecchi e nuovi modi di pensare la radio viene da Cobra, importante fornitore americano di baracchini CB destinati primariamente ai camionisti. A marzo, in occasione di un salone dedicato a questa categoria professionale, il Mid-America Trucking Show di Louisville, Kentucky, Cobra presenterà un modello di baracchino per i 27 MHz dotato di interfaccia Bluetooth! L'apparecchio è in grado di sincronizzarsi con il telefonino del camionista per instradare le chiamate in arrivo e in partenza attraverso il microfono e l'altoparlante integrati. I guidatori di automezzi pesanti usano frequentemente il baracchino e mi pare un'ottima idea utilizzarne i circuiti di amplificazione e il microfono per usare anche il cellulare "hands free". Il modello Cobra 29 LTD BT costerà 190 dollari, neanche troppo caro.

Cobra Electronics, the market leader in CB radios, today announced a ground-breaking new addition to its long-established and trusted CB radio line. Set to debut at the 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show, March 27-29 in Louisville, the patent pending 29 LTD BT is the first-ever CB radio to offer Bluetooth® wireless technology, providing drivers with yet another way to communicate safely and easily.
With Bluetooth technology, the 29 LTD BT allows drivers a better way to have phone conversations on the road because calls from a mobile phone are synched with the CB radio. A noise canceling microphone allows calls to be heard loud and clear, even over a noisy engine. Incoming audio is routed through the radio’s 5-Watt CB speaker making it easy for the driver to hear the caller. The Bluetooth feature also gives drivers the ability to answer and terminate calls by pushing one button on the CB microphone, allowing drivers to stay focused on the road. The new auto redial feature also allows for one-touch redialing of the last phone number called.
The new 29 LTD BT also offers the tried and true features drivers have come to expect from Cobra. The radio provides instant access to emergency channel 9, as well as tactile controls to allow the driver to feel where the dial is in its rotation without taking his eyes off the road.
The new unit also offers 4 Watts AM RF power output, the maximum amount of power allowed by law. Other features that make Cobra CB radios the preferred companion for professional drivers include Talk Back controls to adjust the desired amount of modulation talk back that is present at the speaker; a channel indicator displaying channel selections in cool blue illumination; Delta Tune to clarify incoming signals; and adjustable Dynamike boost, which increases the microphone’s sensitivity for increased voice clarity.
The 29 LTD BT will be available at travel centers and CB dealers starting in the summer of 2008 for $189.95. Cobra also offers a wide range of CB radios for many professional or recreational uses.