Even for those who lived when AM radio was once king, it’s hard to imagine that this was once the predominant form of mass wireless communication in cars. Everything from breaking news to new hits, ballgames, local traffic and weather updates were absorbed daily by millions of people on his AM radio in their local cars. AM has been around for about 100 years.
Following the development and popularity of better-sounding FM, eventually all radios were acquired by corporations, eliminating deejays and local news and providing a more common in-car experience. And it seemed like AM was destined for decline. Car windows and lighters. Tesla, Audi, Porsche, Volvo, and other automakers have quietly removed AM radio from new cars in recent years, saying their electric cars generate more electromagnetic interference than ICE cars and disrupt reception of AM signals. My position is that there is a possibility. It wasn’t worth the trouble. And if people want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood, they can look it up online.
That’s when the government intervened.
Yesterday, Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) celebrated the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s vote to advance the bill. AM radio under all vehicle laws. The bipartisan, bicameral bill would direct federal regulators to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio in new cars at no additional charge.
But it wasn’t because the senators wanted to hear lo-fi “Disco Duck” and “Car Wash.” That’s because AM is one of the most reliable ways to get local news in an emergency.
“Today’s vote is AM radio based on vehicle law It sends a clear signal to automakers,” said Senator Markey. “AM radio is an essential communication tool during emergencies and has been the source of news, entertainment, sports and music for tens of millions of drivers for decades.”
in particular, AM radio based on vehicle law It will look like this:
1. Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue regulations requiring vehicle manufacturers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge; Give small manufacturers additional compliance time.
2. Prior to the effective date of the NHTSA regulation, require automakers that sell vehicles that do not have access to AM broadcast radio to clearly disclose to consumers that their vehicles do not have access to AM broadcast radio. and,
3. Direct the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study the importance of AM radio as an emergency communications technology.
In May, Senators Markey and Cruz led their colleagues in introducing the AM Radio for All Vehicles Act. The introduction follows Sen. Markey’s letter last year to 20 of the world’s largest automakers urging them to maintain access to AM broadcast radio in their vehicles. Eight of the 20 automakers responded to Senator Markey and said they have removed AM radio from their electric vehicles.
For most of us, AM radio is like a fire extinguisher. You may never use it, but it’s nice to have it.
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