mojo55 wrote:

It is the 21st century. With all the advances in modern communication and technology, why is AM radio still around?
We have digital TV, streaming audio and video on multiple devices, wireless TV.  I live in a high rise condo and can barely tune in to any AM stations. All I get is weak reception with lots of static and electrical interference even from
using a microwave. My only option is listening online. The FM band should somehow be expanded to allow for the
complete migration of all AM stations to FM.  Our TV system has been updated to today’s standards, why hasn’t radio received the same treatment?  

My old Sony watchman analogue TV no longer works. It is time for the AM band to be relegated to the media archives along with analogue TV, 8 track tape, cassettes, VCRs, etc. 

I, for one, would miss AM if it disappeared. I find myself more and more on that band only. The programing on FM just doesn't appeal to me and the AM signal - for all its static and EMF interference troubles - still travels much farther than its FM counterpart, which is important to me.

Until there's a way to get a streaming signal into every car, I believe the band will survive. 

But we may both get our wish sooner than that if this takes off - although it's very unlikely since it's totally voluntary.

FCC Approves All-Digital Option for AM

Radio Ink: AM Radio (NO STATIC AT ALL)

I wonder the same thing - not only is the quality extremely poor, the cost of the transmiter and space for the site and all its towers is another thing.  Granted, yes the signals travel far and for a DX person hobby its cool to pickup stations so far.  

Expanding the FM band is as pointless as HD. Anything that requires the purchase of new radios is DOA.

AM is still around because companies are still able to broadcast programming over it that attracts enough of an audience that advertisers view it as useful, and there's no way to transition that using other technologies. 

There is one other reason for keeping AM, although thankfully, it doesn't happen often. 

In the event of a huge emergency - like a hurricane or an ice storm striking Southern Ontario - an AM signal travels farther and can reach more isolated areas than an FM station. And when cell phone towers are down and power is out, they can be a real lifeline. 

I remember listening to WWL in New Orleans, the 50,000 watt blowtorch on 870, during Hurricane Katrina. Not only were they the designated emergency station in the city, every other radio outlet was broadcasting their signal as parts of Louisiana became submerged. I tuned many stations in over the web. Those that were still able to broadcast on the Net all had WWL's signal, regardless of their format or ownership. 

But not one of them made it as far as that killer signal. In times of emergency, the reach of AM radio can be a lifesaver.

Charlie wrote:

I love AM radio.  No, I'm not a Luddite.  I just like the 'live' aspect, and listening to breaking news and commentary that hasn't had a chance to be edited, sanitized and spun.  Sure, for the most part, every station has a bias, but you know that going in, and siphon out the truth as best you can.

Which is great, but I don't think it's the original poster's point -- they weren't wondering why the content was still there, but rather why it's delivered the way it is.

The immediacy and the personality of radio lives on AM. The magic of radio lives on AM.

RadioAaron wrote:

Charlie wrote:

I love AM radio.  No, I'm not a Luddite.  I just like the 'live' aspect, and listening to breaking news and commentary that hasn't had a chance to be edited, sanitized and spun.  Sure, for the most part, every station has a bias, but you know that going in, and siphon out the truth as best you can.

Which is great, but I don't think it's the original poster's point -- they weren't wondering why the content was still there, but rather why it's delivered the way it is.

Exactly.....there must be a better way of broadcasting the content of the quality AM stations over the air without the
static and interference and reaching inside high rise residences and office towers.
By the way, the Logitech UE Smart Radio has been discontinued.