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AM radio remains the most reliable source of information during natural disasters. If AM goes away, what would replace the inexpensive radios we keep on hand fo

by wrp 3y ago

AM radio remains the most reliable source of information during natural disasters. If AM goes away, what would replace the inexpensive radios we keep on hand for emergencies?

WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
I listed to months of post-Katrina coverage on AM because I live 500 miles away. Had I truly needed the coverage, I'd of been within clear FM range. Past that: 30 years of reality has conditioned me to believe that instead of helpful info on AM, I'll find religious, rw talk and latino programming - and I would be correct in that belief.
- wrp 3y ago
  I live in a hilly region where you can be in a radio shadow just 5 miles outside town. For local information, nothing else is as reliable as AM radio. While you may not usually be interested in nonprofit/religious/talk radio, they do have a tradition of hosting timely announcements in a crisis.
  - WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
    Your point that the rules are different outside of flatlandia is taken. Your region seems like a useful case study. What are the comms options (wired and wireless, inc internet) for folks who live out a ways? Past that, you might be hinting in favor of my earlier posted fantasy. It's that soulless corps abandon AM and it becomes affordable to the point where AM is local everywhere.
    - wrp 3y ago
      It's been a few decades since I lived out in the boonies, so I don't know how things have improved. It used to be there was cell coverage only near the main roads and cable limited similarly. I could get a couple FM stations where I was and no TV, and I wasn't even particularly deep in the hills. The main thing I think hasn't changed much is there are power outages in storms. Also consider that people out there are usually trailing modern tech by quite a bit. Cheap local AM is definitely what we need to keep. I think there are 4 school stations near me now, 2 college and 2 high school. I personally find kids having fun more interesting that adults preaching. :-)
      - WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
        Based on my career tied to broadband deployment, I'll assume wireline internet hasn't meaningfully improved in 20 years. They might have cable but rotting DSL seems more likely. All this to say that wired comms probably aren't disaster ready. Wireless expansions happen though and tend to be pretty robust - until there's an extended power outage. Ice storms, severe storm lines and wildfires are tough on electricity infrastructure and remote areas get repaired last. I guess that takes internet off the table, which supports your position. However, your position might not be at odds with the article. AM radio abandonment is (presently) tied to EVs and those are less practical the farther out you are. It may be a long time before common rural vehicles are impacted. Lastly, battery powered radios get dug out after disasters.

by wrp 3y ago

AM radio remains the most reliable source of information during natural disasters. If AM goes away, what would replace the inexpensive radios we keep on hand for emergencies?

WarOnPrivacy 3y ago

I listed to months of post-Katrina coverage on AM because I live 500 miles away. Had I truly needed the coverage, I'd of been within clear FM range. Past that: 30 years of reality has conditioned me to believe that instead of helpful info on AM, I'll find religious, rw talk and latino programming - and I would be correct in that belief.

wrp 3y ago
I live in a hilly region where you can be in a radio shadow just 5 miles outside town. For local information, nothing else is as reliable as AM radio. While you may not usually be interested in nonprofit/religious/talk radio, they do have a tradition of hosting timely announcements in a crisis.
- WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
  Your point that the rules are different outside of flatlandia is taken. Your region seems like a useful case study. What are the comms options (wired and wireless, inc internet) for folks who live out a ways? Past that, you might be hinting in favor of my earlier posted fantasy. It's that soulless corps abandon AM and it becomes affordable to the point where AM is local everywhere.
  - wrp 3y ago
    It's been a few decades since I lived out in the boonies, so I don't know how things have improved. It used to be there was cell coverage only near the main roads and cable limited similarly. I could get a couple FM stations where I was and no TV, and I wasn't even particularly deep in the hills. The main thing I think hasn't changed much is there are power outages in storms. Also consider that people out there are usually trailing modern tech by quite a bit. Cheap local AM is definitely what we need to keep. I think there are 4 school stations near me now, 2 college and 2 high school. I personally find kids having fun more interesting that adults preaching. :-)
    - WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
      Based on my career tied to broadband deployment, I'll assume wireline internet hasn't meaningfully improved in 20 years. They might have cable but rotting DSL seems more likely. All this to say that wired comms probably aren't disaster ready. Wireless expansions happen though and tend to be pretty robust - until there's an extended power outage. Ice storms, severe storm lines and wildfires are tough on electricity infrastructure and remote areas get repaired last. I guess that takes internet off the table, which supports your position. However, your position might not be at odds with the article. AM radio abandonment is (presently) tied to EVs and those are less practical the farther out you are. It may be a long time before common rural vehicles are impacted. Lastly, battery powered radios get dug out after disasters.