3 ms·

Isn't us analog am radio pretty inefficient on the bandwith?

by stop50 3y ago

fortran77 3y ago
Car makers want to drop it because the electronics in modern cars -- and especially electric cars -- generate so much AM noise that it because very difficult to receive AM radio. I would love to see AM radio mandated in cars because it could be an excellent emergency communications system during a major crisis. A few AM radio stations in each area have been, for years, provisioned with generators and back-up hardened transmitters for this scenario. (see the "EAS" system: https://www.nab.org/amtoolkit/amEas.asp https://www.nab.org/amtoolkit/amEas.asp ) Even if the reception would be too noisy while the car was moving, it would still be useful when the car was stopped/off. After a big earthquake or blackout, if cell phones were out, people could still get information on AM radio.
- jruohonen 3y ago
  > I would love to see AM radio mandated in cars because it could be an excellent emergency communications system That, and another thing: why are they lobbying against AM, as one would think that it would be dirt cheap for manufacturers? Note for instance that there are AM radios on some really cheap (non-smart) phones.
  - Ekaros 3y ago
    Do those actually work very well? My understanding is that AM works better with quite long antennas.
    - jruohonen 3y ago
      > Do those actually work very well? No idea, but I'd expect them to work in big cities at least. In any case, here in Northern Europe the state recommends having an AM radio with batteries for emergency preparations (although I seriously doubt how many citizens fulfill the recommendation).
    - RF_Enthusiast 3y ago
      While a long antenna offers superior performance, a shorter one can still function, but with reduced efficiency. This trade-off becomes less critical in environments with minimal RF interference, like in the desert or in a power outage zone, where even a short antenna can provide adequate reception. Also okay if you're close to the station (like in a city). Edit to add: The root of the issue here is increased interference from EVs, so the RF environment is messier.
RF_Enthusiast 3y ago
In the US, AM Radio (both digital and analog) runs from 540 kHz to 1700 kHz, packing 116 channels in approximately 1 MHz (with 10 kHz spacing between stations). That's impressive efficiency for a frequency range unsuitable for much else.

Isn't us analog am radio pretty inefficient on the bandwith?

by stop50 3y ago

Isn't us analog am radio pretty inefficient on the bandwith?

Car makers want to drop it because the electronics in modern cars -- and especially electric cars -- generate so much AM noise that it because very difficult to receive AM radio. I would love to see AM radio mandated in cars because it could be an excellent emergency communications system during a major crisis. A few AM radio stations in each area have been, for years, provisioned with generators and back-up hardened transmitters for this scenario. (see the "EAS" system: https://www.nab.org/amtoolkit/amEas.asp https://www.nab.org/amtoolkit/amEas.asp ) Even if the reception would be too noisy while the car was moving, it would still be useful when the car was stopped/off. After a big earthquake or blackout, if cell phones were out, people could still get information on AM radio.

jruohonen 3y ago
> I would love to see AM radio mandated in cars because it could be an excellent emergency communications system That, and another thing: why are they lobbying against AM, as one would think that it would be dirt cheap for manufacturers? Note for instance that there are AM radios on some really cheap (non-smart) phones.
- Ekaros 3y ago
  Do those actually work very well? My understanding is that AM works better with quite long antennas.
  - jruohonen 3y ago
    > Do those actually work very well? No idea, but I'd expect them to work in big cities at least. In any case, here in Northern Europe the state recommends having an AM radio with batteries for emergency preparations (although I seriously doubt how many citizens fulfill the recommendation).
  - RF_Enthusiast 3y ago
    While a long antenna offers superior performance, a shorter one can still function, but with reduced efficiency. This trade-off becomes less critical in environments with minimal RF interference, like in the desert or in a power outage zone, where even a short antenna can provide adequate reception. Also okay if you're close to the station (like in a city). Edit to add: The root of the issue here is increased interference from EVs, so the RF environment is messier.

RF_Enthusiast 3y ago

In the US, AM Radio (both digital and analog) runs from 540 kHz to 1700 kHz, packing 116 channels in approximately 1 MHz (with 10 kHz spacing between stations). That's impressive efficiency for a frequency range unsuitable for much else.