Why is NASA audio so bad?

I came across this on the EETimes

Why is NASA audio so bad?

Rich Pell

8/25/2010 11:19 AM EDT

We're all familiar with the noisy, "squelchy"-sounding audio that seems to characterize voice communications between astronauts and mission control during NASA space missions. Most of us don't give it a second thought, but a poster over at diyAudio wonders why does the audio have to be so bad?

He has a point. Given today's technology - or even 1970's or 80's technology - and the relatively low requirements for reproducing good quality audio, what's the excuse for the poor audio quality heard on low-earth orbit operations like the International Space Station and shuttle missions?

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