Perhaps another option might be to make new car radios to where the AM section can be hidden If it isn't needed. I know I only Rarely listen to AM because the few stations that I Do occasionally listen to, usually connected to sports or oldies have FM translators and I have no real need for AM otherwise. I definitely care nothing about listening to any Kind of talk radio other than sports, and mainly when there is a game I'm interested In on, which is mostly during college football season. Otherwise I could leave AM off permanently.
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The Future - AM + Streaming only (no FM & HD)
- Thread starter kfbkfb
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See my post about my 2020 Sentra. Automakers are already doing it, and most are already hiding AM by default.
The problem, if you’re Ford, is that you’re putting money into a feature most of your consumers don’t want. Most estimates I’ve seen say including AM on a car costs between 50 cents and $3. Multiply that, however, by a few million cars, and you just spent seven figures on a feature people aren’t requesting.
(could be a bright Yellow balloon with the "happy face" on it and playing "Don't Worry Be Happy")
So far, nobody has come up with something a simple as a (fairly) strong AM radio signals from distant 50kW AM transmitters broadcasting emergency info, even if the natural disaster make roads impassable, some vehicle AM radios would likely still work and the info could be heard and disseminated by people trapped in the natural disaster area.
Kirk Bayne
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I was listening to WWL 870 in KC while Hurricane Katrina hit.
Some info on the fragility of the cell (phone) network:
Designed To Let Us Down... our deliberately frail cell phone system
A blog about science, technology, science fiction, books, and the future.davidbrin.blogspot.com
WWL-AM/FM Acts of Lifeline During Hurricane Gustav
Broadcasters' Public Service Storieswww.wearebroadcasters.com
Kirk Bayne
Hurricane Katrina was almost 20 years ago. The David Brin article was written more than 15 years ago. None of Brin’s suggestions involved a 100 year old piece of antique technology. All of them involved upgrading the cell phones we were already carrying. In fact, much of what he recommended has either already happened or is in progress.
Old tech is sometimes still a good option for solving problems, the cell phone network is fragile, the signal from cell phones is necessarily weak (for signal reuse to work), if many cell phone towers in a large area become inoperable, the weak cell phone signal won't be able to use relatively distant operating cell phone towers.
All of the other pieces are in place for the emergency info system to work (50kW omni AM radio stations, EAS), all that's needed to compete the system is AM radio required in every vehicle with some sort of in-vehicle entertainment system..
Kirk Bayne
All of the other pieces are in place for the emergency info system to work (50kW omni AM radio stations, EAS), all that's needed to compete the system is AM radio required in every vehicle with some sort of in-vehicle entertainment system..
Kirk Bayne
You still can't make people use the AM radio or have a clue where to tune. Chances are whatever you can get is not programmed for your area. During wildfires in Gatlinburg, TN, WLW, WLAC of WSM would have told us absolutely nothing. WLW covered it because a lot of people from Cincinnati vacation here, but they weren't telling displaced people where to get a meal
What you don't seem to understand is that you're describing the system in case of emergency 60 years ago. It wasn't viable then and isn't viable today either for many of the same reasons.
You can't stop progress, even with an act of Congress.
From "WKRP": How can we tell you we're off the air if we're off the air?
We have social media for that now
"Sometimes" isn't sufficient.
I checked at my home near Owensboro, Ken. just now for all the relevant clear channels: WSM, WLW, WSB, WHAS, WGN, WLS, WSCR, KMOX. None of them were providing anything close to a listenable signal today.
I have listened to many of those stations at this location on ideal days, but there's thundershowers creating extra noise today.
It's really a case of having no info or getting relevant info listening to distant AM radio signals (which will almost certainly have better reception at night).
We have 2 of the 3 pieces in place (in future years, the 50kW AMs could be Gov subsidized to keep them on the air), requiring vehicles to have AM radios is the 3rd piece.
An IC based AM radio could be developed to use the latest DSP tech to "clean up" AM signals (after >100 years, we have a pretty good idea of what types of interference disrupt AM), this IC/AM radio could be used in all new in-vehicle entertainment systems.
Kirk Bayne
No there's a third choice: Having a better plan that doesn't rely on ancient modulation.
Officials sound alarm on carmakers dropping AM radio in new vehicles: 'Meant for emergencies'
Lawmakers and law enforcement have challenged the move from several carmakers to drop AM radio in new vehicles, citing its vital role during times of emergency.
www.foxnews.com
...pointing to the role AM radio played during Superstorm Sandy in 2012
Basically, the AM radio system is so simple (doesn't need a large number of terrestrial towers or expensive Satellites), it seems like, even if an AM radio raises the cost of a vehicle a few $, it's worth it.
Kirk Bayne
Not every is on socials. Many of us avoid the Twits and Fakebook...
That's the only thing I thought I missed about AM radio. The static was an early warning of an approaching thunderstorm while out on the water. Now my phone notifies me with the exact distance, direction and strength of the strike. Times change ... there's no going back.
Fair point, but if you have a Smartphone all you need is a weather app to get alerts, look at the RADAR and forecasts for yourself, etc. Also, you can check the forecast anytime you wish. No need to wait for top and bottom of the hour news to hear it...And considering voicetracked stations sometimes record the forecasts a few days in advance, getting it from an app or from the web is most likely more accurate and for certain, more updated.
As someone mentioned upthread, what you're describing is somewhat similar to the old CONELRAD system which was replaced by EBS and then eventually, EAS. Here's a brief description of how CONELRAD worked:
That said, this "system" was shut down and replaced several decades ago, for more than a few reasons and it most likely wouldn't work well or be effective today, again, for more than a few reasons.
Also, if you really wanted to make this system effective in an emergency, AM radio in cars isn't the answer. Who goes out to their car to listen to the radio in cases of emergency? In the case of home radios, who, aside from mostly older folks and those with an interest in radio broadcasting has a home set anymore? However, as others have mentioned, nearly everyone, from relatively young children up through older folks, has a smartphone. That's the technology everyone has, it's the technology everyone carries so if you feel a better notification system in the case of emergencies is warranted or required, that's where your concentration should maybe be.
I'm probably one of 7 people on the planet that don't have a smart phone. Only a cheapo flip phone in case I need help on the road. Many ask "how do you do without?" I've been around long enough before phones were a thing and when they started, they were the size of the Titanic.
April Fools was weeks ago.(could be a bright Yellow balloon with the "happy face" on it and playing "Don't Worry Be Happy")
So far, nobody has come up with something a simple as a (fairly) strong AM radio signals from distant 50kW AM transmitters broadcasting emergency info, even if the natural disaster make roads impassable, some vehicle AM radios would likely still work and the info could be heard and disseminated by people trapped in the natural disaster area.
Kirk Bayne
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