Cars with AM radio yes or yesThe US Energy and Commerce Committee passed a new law this week, appropriately called the ‘AM for Every Vehicle Act’. It introduces a new requirement for new cars to be manufactured: all cars must have AM radio.
Almost unanimous voteThe measure has come in response to the growing number of vehicles that have gradually been arriving without incorporating support for this frequency band. The Committee’s vote was almost unanimous, with 45 votes in favour and two against. Only a final approval is needed for it to become definitive, something that seems almost completely assured.
And no extra charge may be made for this.The new law will theoretically cause the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a new regulation that precisely validates the committee’s decision. It will also make clear that manufacturers must include support for AM radio in their vehicles “without additional or separate fees, payments or surcharges.”
AM radio is still very useful. Those who have pushed for the passage of this law say there was concern about the slow disappearance of AM radio. That could make it difficult to broadcast emergency information in the event of natural disasters or events related to them. For example, it is being used now during hurricane season, explained Senator Ed Markey.
Electricians try to escape from AM radioIn recent years, electric car manufacturers have avoided including AM frequency band support in their radios. Tesla, Polestar and Rivian are among those who have launched models without this. Their drawback: this radio can cause electromagnetic interference with the transmission system.
AM o FMThe most popular radio stations are AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation). They differ in the way the carrier is modulated or altered. Unlike frequency, amplitude can be affected by noise emitted by electronic devices – including smartphones, computers or, of course, electric cars.
Costly interferencesIf this interference conflicts with the radio signal, the sound becomes distorted and its quality worsens. The Verge points out that manufacturers see AM radio as an obsolete technology and some point out that this law will only increase production costs at a time when they are precisely seeking to reduce them.
At WorldOfSoftware: Malte Helmhold
On WorldOfSoftware Mobile | There is only one thing that is clear about the jump from FM to DAB+: it is highly unlikely that your car will be left without a radio