US Senate Reintroduces AM Radio Bill

[RaleighGuy]

The mandate can also be revisited and extended if it makes sense. (unlikely)

The mandate, if enacted as currently written, won't even go into effect for another 10 years after enactment due to the Sunshine clause, by then it might not be relevant and need to be repealed before it starts. But for ten years after enactment car manufacturers won't be required to install them.

 

[MTS2000des]

For sale to the highest bidder.

Yup, and who has a stronger lobby: the NAB versus the US auto industry. My money says the auto industry.
AM lacks compelling programming, let alone it sounds like crap thanks to the noise floor being absurd, the NRSC curve, and again, no compelling programming that can't be found elsewhere.

The ship has sailed. Let it die. The BBC and other big networks in the EU and UK are killing off MW and no one really cares. They've moved onto things like DAB 20 years ago.

 

[kc2asb]

well i work alot of disasters and search and rescue and me nor any of the groups or agencies have ever used or heard of AM radios playing any part whats so ever in disasters so would thinks somebodys getting a kick back for continue putting AM in cars or to mandate it at least but hey its about the money lol

Kickbacks would not be unique to this issue. Just safe to assume they are one of the constants in life.

I've streamed local radio stations, AM & FM, from disaster areas and heard the valuable information they provide to their communities. They get through when cell and internet infrastructure are down.

Just my two cents. I've made my opinions on this issue fairly clear in previous posts, so no need to go around in circles.

 

[MUTNAV]

Kickbacks would not be unique to this issue. Just safe to assume they are one of the constants in life.

I've streamed local radio stations, AM & FM, from disaster areas and heard the valuable information they provide to their communities. They get through when cell and internet infrastructure are down.

Just my two cents. I've made my opinions on this issue fairly clear in previous posts, so no need to go around in circles.

Doubly concur, although I like to think of it as lobbyists vs, kickbacks...

I don't actually have a problem with the lobbyists advocating for a cause.

Self advocacy is even something that is (sometimes) put into IEP's (Individual Education Plans, for school children), because it's such an important part of life...

Thanks
Joel

 

[Hit_Factor]

For air bags also? Also a Federal mandate.

Yes. Create a new mandate if its a still a good thing.

 

[kc2asb]

Yes. Create a new mandate if its a still a good thing.

Or we can go back to the old days and have AM radio and no airbags.

 

[AK9R]

Q. Were airbags a law passed by Congress or a rule enacted by NHTSA/DOT?
A. "The United States Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 required passenger cars and light trucks built after 1 September 1998 to have airbags for the driver and the front passenger." [Copied from Wikipedia]

The AM radio thing is a potential law which I still think is going after the wrong issue. Rather than force automakers include receivers for an outdated technology, Congress should mandate that the Federal Communications Commission, which Congress created and funds, enforce existing RF emission rules. Whether AM radio in cars lives or dies should be a market, not a government, decision.

 

[mmckenna]

Well now, that's just too logical to jive well with:

Congress

 

[MTS2000des]

We already have rules that cover this. Specifically, 47 CFR 15 subpart B. What is lacking is enforcement of such technical standards, with the "delete delete delete" mentality alive and kicking, doubtful that enforcement of such rule sets (which have been in place for DECADES) is likely to occur as enforcement action=funding=personnel and all both of the latter are being "delete delete deleted".

 

[AK9R]

I've been told by people who are in a position to know that the FCC staff was "decimated" before the current administration took office. FCC staffing has been a problem for years not just since Donald Trump became President and Brendan Carr became FCC Chairman. Congress holds the purse strings; the problem is in their hands.

I think the problem is bigger than just the FCC. Many Federal agencies have staffing and funding problems. But, that discussion is probably political in nature and, therefore, outside the scope of the RadioReference forums.

 

[Omega-TI]

By themselves, XM radios cannot even ping back, let alone spy on you, HOWEVER if your radio is in a vehicle tied to an OnStar system it might be possible as there is a history of them hoovering all kinds of data on people.

 

[BrhatWeed]

Or we can go back to the old days and have AM radio and no airbags.

You might be onto something here...

 

[StoliRaz]

Keep AM radio, get rid of the stupid EVs.

 

[MUTNAV]

Keep AM radio, get rid of the stupid EVs.

Well, if the EV's can tow a generator (gas, diesel) or even another large battery, they could make a certain amount of sense.

Diesel would probably make the least amount of radio noise.

 

[AK9R]

Diesel would probably make the least amount of radio noise.

Modern Diesel engines use electronic fuel injection, so they still generate RFI.

 

[Boombox]

What's at stake isn't just AM radio. It's OTA radio in general, because if the manufacturers get rid of AM, then FM is probably next. Not because of static issues that would be harder to eliminate, but because modern day vehicles are data mining operations on wheels, and the app programmers and data miners can't get much of your personal data from your listening to FM or AM in the car. But using an app? Different story. As others have mentioned, using apps means that info is sent back to the app developer and they target ads, or otherwise sell your data.

FM and AM not only require a chip and the antenna to go with it -- which is an extra expense -- but the dash system and car company can't datamine you while you listen to FM or AM.

Remember what happened to the idea of FM radios being in smartphones. Even if the phone had the capability, many of the manufacturers wouldn't let you enable the FM on your phone. Because they wanted you to use apps that allow them to mine your data. Data = money.

 

[kc2asb]

FM and AM not only require a chip and the antenna to go with it -- which is an extra expense -- but the dash system and car company can't datamine you while you listen to FM or AM.

Remember what happened to the idea of FM radios being in smartphones. Even if the phone had the capability, many of the manufacturers wouldn't let you enable the FM on your phone. Because they wanted you to use apps that allow them to mine your data. Data = money.

Exactly right. It didn't have to be this way as far as apps and subscription services, but the money to be made was too great to resist.

Unfortunately, terrestrial is fighting an uphill battle against apps, streaming and satellite. The costs operating and maintaining a radio station and all of its components is far greater. Sad to say, but the writing is on the wall for AM/FM radio, and car manufacturers are trying to speed up the process.

 

[N6JPA]

Thanks for the update. I'm probably in the minority, but I agree with requiring AM radio in cars. AM radio (and FM) has a proven ability to get information out in times of disaster when cellphones and the internet are down. Plus, AM radio can reach people in more isolated rural areas.

That being said, even if this Bill passes, the future for AM radio is not rosy. It cannot stop AM stations from shutting down because they are no longer viable financially due to shrinking audiences and loss of ad revenue.

Most of the radio stations in my area are automatically controlled and no one is there to warn anyone. We do Have one afternoon live talk show at one station, but that is it. If something goes hay wire with the computer controller we get all kinds of commercials and radio songs or shows talking over each other. They do have an EAS, but it will just send three bursts with no follow up information or that it is a test.

 

[kc2asb]

Most of the radio stations in my area are automatically controlled and no one is there to warn anyone. We do Have one afternoon live talk show at one station, but that is it. If something goes hay wire with the computer controller we get all kinds of commercials and radio songs or shows talking over each other. They do have an EAS, but it will just send three bursts with no follow up information or that it is a test.

I believe the FCC used to require an engineer/licensed operator to be onsite whenever a station was transmitting. Stations that failed to do so would often be fined. The FCC later relaxed these rules.

As far as EAS (formerly EBS), stations would usually have a receiver tuned to another station to receive the EAS broadcasts. The receiver would pick up the alert tone and their normal programming would be interrupted for tests and obviously actual emergencies. Not sure how that works today.

Automation is another cost-cutting measure that these stations often have to do in order to remain viable.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

I have said it before, this bill is useless if there are no station on the air in the first place. In major markets AMs are being sold off as their land is more profitable than running the station. FM is suffering as well. They are doing all they can to hang on by cutting out local talent and just doing voice tracking and remote programming. The satellite broadcasters (both TV and XM) are in a similar situation and are now shifting away from satelite and moving towards more of a streaming type service. My car has built in cellular and even the SXM receiver has channels that are both delivered by sat and some over cell. Unless I look at the screen, I dont know which way the content is coming from.

I love RF, but OTA is driven by profit (unless you are a church station) and that profit simply is drying up as folks shift their listening habits to other content delivery systems.