RadioActive wrote:

How does a "software" update fix this? Would they not have to replace the radios completely to add it? 

Apparently, the latest trend in automated assembly will be to build cars with almost all available options. When building hundreds of thousands (or millions) of similar automobiles, being able to simply 'turn options on' when the customer decides that he/she desires that feature, means much greater efficiency during assembly, and more revenue as the owner decides he/she would like more features. This omits the time-consuming factory-floor task of ensuring that only certain vehicles get certain options. Build them almost all the same, and then turn on whatever the customer is willing to pay for. The digital world is truly changing everything.

How long until some hacker figures out how to buy a stripped down model, followed by the illicit turning on of desired options? 

 

I understand the “how” of turning off AM via software, but I’m not seeing the “why”

There was never any mention of paywalling it, and it would have been a bizarre choice of a feature to do that to.

Anyway, this imaginary emergency scenario will never occur, but good job on the lobbying job, I guess. It’s a pretty big win for a few years.

RadioAaron wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

I understand the “how” of turning off AM via software, but I’m not seeing the “why”

There was never any mention of paywalling it, and it would have been a bizarre choice of a feature to do that to.

Upon further contemplation, I think my "get ready for the worst AM radio you've ever heard" still applies. Ford can easily include AM radio in all vehicles, but can't easily make using it a good experience. They initially chose to remove a feature that wouldn't be a good experience.

So they get some good press today and will probably turn it off once the dust has settled.

I have to agree here.  Now, in my old 1999 Camry, I have an above average AM tuner with somewhat wider bandwidth.  It sounds a little less like someone is holding their hands over their mouth.  Consonant blends and cymbals ring through much more clearly.  But in most automobiles, the AM section is an afterthought.   Not only do the tuners exhibit low, dull bandwidth,  but selectivity is also pòor, and to improve selectivity  (so you can receive weak signals next to strong ones) is the only reason to choose low bandwidth.  So it's  lose- lose in any case.

If you have HD, I guess that's one way to extend the life of AM stations, but it seems to be of no interest to most listeners or broadcasters.   I think most will contend with streaming through Bluetooth.

I think Ford just wanted to fan the flames of the prospective buyers who happen to think that AM is necessary in preparing for the new world order.  I think most millennials and GenZs would not even consider AM as an option in such a crisis or national emergency.   Wouldn't a weather radio be better for a weather emergency?
 

CBC Radio 1's "The Current" takes up the case for AM or no AM, with a number of guests, including Q107's Alan Cross. (Somewhat ironic that most of the CBC's stations went from AM to FM, including the one in Toronto.) 

While Cross admits that FM is the better technology, he believes the sounds of silence if AM disappears will be loud for a lot of people. 

"When you have vast countries the size of the U.S. and Canada, AM radio signals are very important because they travel very long distances," he said. "And in a country our size, isn't that important?" he said. 

Another topic they get into that you don't hear very often? The phenomenon of DXing. 

Also included: a clip from radio legends Wolfman Jack and Dick Clark.

Overall, you probably won't learn a lot from this piece but it was fun to hear radio being talked about on radio, especially when you consider they're exploring AM on FM!

Some carmakers are removing AM radios from dashboards. How big of a loss will it be?

I had been a fan of AM radio for the longest time, but even I have to admit this whole scenario of trying to convince the public of its necessity in today's world reeks of desperation. Kind of like Canada Post trumpeting the benefits of snail mail.

I suspect we'll probably be having a similar discussion about FM radio in about 10 years or so from now.



PJ