Electric cars are ditching AM radio — a critical safety tool

[livingston]

Electric cars are ditching AM radio — a critical safety tool​

Some electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are eliminating AM radios from their cars, which government officials fear could put people at risk in an emergency.

Why it matters: AM radio is one of the critical ways that federal, state, and local officials communicate with the public during natural disasters and other emergencies.

• If drivers don't have access, they might miss important safety alerts.

What's happening: Automakers say EVs' electric motors interfere with AM frequencies, creating annoying buzzing noises and faded signals.

• Nearly 50 million people listen to AM radio, according to Nielsen figures provided by the National Association of Broadcasters.

No more talk radio in cars

https://www.axios.com/2023/03/13/electric-cars-am-radio

 

[Cavalry]

The last time I listened to AM radio it was at my grandmothers house in the 80's, somehow I have made it this long.
Critical way to communicate with the public? Go ask any 20 something what their local AM radio station is. They wont even know what AM is let alone what the station is. That certainly makes it a challenge for them to get these critical communications. How exactly does do government officials use the AM radio system? Do they run down to the local office and tell them to put something out quick?
Most FM radio stations and cellular towers have at least a short power backup, some pretty extensive, certainly enough to get a message out to the public with the emergency broadcast system, alert systems etc.
AM is dead and no one went to the funeral. They should start repurposing the bandwidth to something useful. Its only saving grace is long transmit distance for not a huge wattage.

 

[livingston]

The last time I listened to AM radio it was at my grandmothers house in the 80's, somehow I have made it this long.
Critical way to communicate with the public? Go ask any 20 something what their local AM radio station is. They wont even know what AM is let alone what the station is. That certainly makes it a challenge for them to get these critical communications. How exactly does do government officials use the AM radio system? Do they run down to the local office and tell them to put something out quick?
Most FM radio stations and cellular towers have at least a short power backup, some pretty extensive, certainly enough to get a message out to the public with the emergency broadcast system, alert systems etc.
AM is dead and no one went to the funeral. They should start repurposing the bandwidth to something useful. Its only saving grace is long transmit distance for not a huge wattage.

• Nearly 50 million people listen to AM radio, according to Nielsen figures provided by the National Association of Broadcasters.
• In the past ...
• The Rush Limbaugh Show is widely considered the most-listened-to show of its kind with an estimated 15 million weekly listeners

 

[Cavalry]

• Nearly 50 million people listen to AM radio, according to Nielsen figures provided by the National Association of Broadcasters.

And oddly enough that number is pretty close to the population of the US that is 65 or older. Not saying its just that generation using AM but I would bet thats the demographic that primarily does.

 

[Cavalry]

• The Rush Limbaugh Show is widely considered the most-listened-to show of its kind with an estimated 15 million weekly listeners

Rush has been dead for a couple years now. There are 15 million people weekly listening to his reruns? I guess you either loved or hated the the guy?
I thought Joe Rogan was the most listened to or are we just talking about on AM?

 

[livingston]

Rush has been dead for a couple years now. There are 15 million people weekly listening to his reruns? I guess you either loved or hated the the guy?
I thought Joe Rogan was the most listened to or are we just talking about on AM?

My point was in response to your statement that no one was listening to AM radio for 40 + years. ...They have. Just threw that number out there.

 

[Cavalry]

My point was in response to your statement that no one was listening to AM radio for 40 + years. ...They have. Just threw that number out there.

You misread what I wrote. I said that I have not listened to AM radio in 40+ years, the average person below probably 35 rarely if ever has used it, and the likely demographic that is still clutching onto it is 65+

 

[Cavalry]

This is from a FCC report from nearly 15 years ago. The median AM user way back then, in the glory days of flip phones was 57. I am sure as communication technology has improved AM's audience share has further eroded and its median age further increased.

 

[FP1201]

Electric cars are ditching AM radio — a critical safety tool​

Some electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are eliminating AM radios from their cars, which government officials fear could put people at risk in an emergency.

Why it matters: AM radio is one of the critical ways that federal, state, and local officials communicate with the public during natural disasters and other emergencies.

• If drivers don't have access, they might miss important safety alerts.

What's happening: Automakers say EVs' electric motors interfere with AM frequencies, creating annoying buzzing noises and faded signals.

• Nearly 50 million people listen to AM radio, according to Nielsen figures provided by the National Association of Broadcasters.

No more talk radio in cars

https://www.axios.com/2023/03/13/electric-cars-am-radio

Market researchers know the demographics of target end users of the products they represent, and since NPR and "Pop music" is almost exclusively FM, then why bother with any others?
Cost to include AM Bands or really any others is very minimal, especially for a receiver only... nothing to Hear" here.

 

[SonOfSun]

I listened to AM radio this morning. I'm nowhere even approaching 60.

 

[dwa12479]

The emergency alert system is easily run through your phones these days. And anyone who wants to listen to an AM station can easily do so on a phone app thats broadcasting to your car radio by Bluetooth.

 

[Robin]

Like guns, free speech is under attack from so many angles it is hard to fight them all. Scum sucking pigs.
Robin

 

[SonOfSun]

The emergency alert system is easily run through your phones these days. And anyone who wants to listen to an AM station can easily do so on a phone app thats broadcasting to your car radio by Bluetooth.

That seems to miss the whole point of radio distribution.

 

[ManualF150]

I love AM and SW.

I actually wish cars had SW tuners in them.

 

[Cavalry]

I actually wish cars had SW tuners in them.

They are available in non US markets from all the big brands, Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc

 

[Beerman]

What’s next? No more 8-track decks or phonographs in our motor carriages? Pshaw! The barbaric savagery of modern Americans! Good day to you, sir.

 

[Jmac00]

what's the cost to taxpayers of taking down all the signs on highways, across America thats say "for ROAD CONDITIONS dial 1610AM"

I kinda like that option, especially if you're at a standstill on Rt-10, in New Mexico and you find out there is a major car crash 10 miles ahead of you.

 

[Beerman]

what's the cost to taxpayers of taking down all the signs on highways, across America thats say "for ROAD CONDITIONS dial 1610AM"

I kinda like that option, especially if you're at a standstill on Rt-10, in New Mexico and you find out there is a major car crash 10 miles ahead of you.

It’s surely cheaper than Cuomo’s NY sign budget.