3 ms·

These are new cars, they do have a computer. Why not just to write an app and bake a chip for having AM, CB, SSB, LPD/PMR and any other frequencies and modulati

These are new cars, they do have a computer. Why not just to write an app and bake a chip for having AM, CB, SSB, LPD/PMR and any other frequencies and modulations if somebody needs that? Dropping AM saves nothing.

Johnythree 4y ago
The problem is interference: Most modern cars are a nightmare of radio interference which is an absolute headache for manufacturers to eliminate. And the interference is much worse on low frequencies and especially for AM receivers. Much easier to simply delete the AM radio option. Source: Was an automotive EMC engineer for many years.
daviddever23box 4y ago
Each one of those requires testing: it's not about the capabilities but the commitments. If every vehicle had internet access, one could conceivably remove FM (and possibly SiriusXM satellite radio).
- hdjjhhvvhga 4y ago
  To depends on households to have an internet connection is a mistake already. Applying it to cars is even worse as they are on the move and often reach areas with weak or no signal.
- dewey 4y ago
  > If every vehicle had internet access Trains in Germany don't even get consistent internet signal when moving through less populated areas so cars having internet-only radio is even more unrealistic.
  - netsharc 4y ago
    Maybe they could buffer the broadcast (e.g. music played yesterday) for such cases. I remember being in an Audi in 2012 which could automatically record the traffic announcements - the radio station would send a signal that the host is about to read out some traffic info, and most cars' entertainment units have a setting to switch to that broadcast, pausing the CD player. The Audi had an auto-record feature in case you needed to hear them again.
    - dewey 4y ago
      I'd guess that the FM module is very cheap these days so it's probably easier to just throw that in than having some error prone internet-buffering system in place which would then also be confusing. Going through a tunnel? Current news broadcast interrupted and music from yesterday starting to play doesn't sound like a good UX.
      - Johnythree 4y ago
        Most tunnels are required by law to have a leaky-feeder arrangement which rebroadcast the AM and FM bands so that emergency services can still be heard.

Johnythree 4y ago

The problem is interference: Most modern cars are a nightmare of radio interference which is an absolute headache for manufacturers to eliminate. And the interference is much worse on low frequencies and especially for AM receivers. Much easier to simply delete the AM radio option. Source: Was an automotive EMC engineer for many years.

daviddever23box 4y ago

Each one of those requires testing: it's not about the capabilities but the commitments. If every vehicle had internet access, one could conceivably remove FM (and possibly SiriusXM satellite radio).

hdjjhhvvhga 4y ago
To depends on households to have an internet connection is a mistake already. Applying it to cars is even worse as they are on the move and often reach areas with weak or no signal.
dewey 4y ago
> If every vehicle had internet access Trains in Germany don't even get consistent internet signal when moving through less populated areas so cars having internet-only radio is even more unrealistic.
- netsharc 4y ago
  Maybe they could buffer the broadcast (e.g. music played yesterday) for such cases. I remember being in an Audi in 2012 which could automatically record the traffic announcements - the radio station would send a signal that the host is about to read out some traffic info, and most cars' entertainment units have a setting to switch to that broadcast, pausing the CD player. The Audi had an auto-record feature in case you needed to hear them again.
  - dewey 4y ago
    I'd guess that the FM module is very cheap these days so it's probably easier to just throw that in than having some error prone internet-buffering system in place which would then also be confusing. Going through a tunnel? Current news broadcast interrupted and music from yesterday starting to play doesn't sound like a good UX.
    - Johnythree 4y ago
      Most tunnels are required by law to have a leaky-feeder arrangement which rebroadcast the AM and FM bands so that emergency services can still be heard.