Quote:This isn't 1950. We are dealing with digital systems. For a radio signal to do something like that would mean they are either using antiquated equipment or someone is tampering with the signal.

 

It doesn't take a 1950's era analog radio system to run into problems.  What's the receiver architecture on the back end?  I don't know that information, and from what I've been able to dig online it's a Telex-based system for the coach-to-coach communications.  How does the Telex communicate with the "Bose" headsets on the sidelines (I'm not sure if they're actually Bose architecture or simply a 3rd party with Bose branding like what was done for the Motorola headsets)? I don't recall if the headsets are connected via physical layer to the communications box on the sidelines.  I'm pretty sure the Telex system is encrypted (and also could be hardwired, I'm not sure) and digital, as you suggest. I'm still trying to decide exactly how the power infrastructure issue released by the NFL's statement would cause this problem.  I've had issues with system power carrying external signals when a grounding wire was improperly shielded.  Maybe something like this happened with the equipment used by the Steelers?

 

I mean, at the end of the day this narrative that these headset issues are only run into when teams visit Foxborough is clearly media marketing to get page views.  Just a cursory internet search brings up:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/tech/po...iii-helmet

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/oct/05/...flfeature5

http://larrybrownsports.com/football/jas...sets/87053

http://www.bucsnation.com/2012/10/1/3437...ng-the-nfl

 

And the media strategy is clearly working; I've stopped my comfortable lurking to put stupid words to a stupid issue that, at the end of the day, is completely irrelevant since the Patriots completely outplayed the Steelers last night...and I don't even care about either team!  Stupid, stupid, stupid...and if I wasn't stupid myself, I'd just ignore this 'issue' as moot and move on.

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