Former FEMA Leaders Continue Push for AM (radio) Preservation in EVs

[NY_Rob]

My BMW i3 came with "no AM radio". But the head unit was the same head unit as many ICE BMWs deep down, so it was possible to use a coding tool to enable the AM portion. I did.

The signal was atrocious. Direct line of sight to the transmitter, maybe 4 miles away, it on one hilltop, me on another hilltop. VERY strong transmitter (one of the main AM stations in a "top 25" US city.) It sounded like a crappy handheld transistor radio from dozens of miles away.

Still, it was better than nothing to listen to my sportsball games. (Until the AM station later got simulcast on an HD-2 feed of an FM station.)

I also "coded" the AM radio to "Active" in our i3... it actually pulled in 880AM and a few other NYC stations from 57 air miles away. I was pretty surprised. Noise kicked up when the motor required higher RPM's. That head unit is from one of BMW's ICE vehicles and was never intended to make AM available in the i3. With that said... the fact that with zero modifications to the vehicle it actually functioned fairly well might mean w/some effort AM would be possible in an EV.

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[Zoidz]

... Wouldn't the entire truck be fried?

Wait, what's 2% risk of losing a $90k asset?!

The entire truck could fry, or just the entertainment system, or the radio survives but the truck will not drive…..
Nobody really knows since it has never happened and there are so many variables ie. is it in a metal clad garage that will help protect it?

The main point these FEMA types are making is that AM radio is the oldest, widest spread and most reliable method of wide and far communications. ”Minor“ disasters can knock out TV, phone, internet. FM radio is short range. AM is good for hundreds/thousands of miles.

 

[CharonPDX]

doesn't everyone travel with one of these? https://ccrane.com/cc-skywave-ssb-2-with-am-fm-sw-wx-and-aviation-bands

We carry a Midland Base Camp GMRS+AM+FM+Weather. Have a pair of "walkie talkie style" GMRS that get packed for "outings".

The big question I have is - what is a good pair of "mobile" (vehicle-mount) GMRS radio and CB radio that look good side-by-side mounted under the center of the dash? (Since nobody due to licensing issues makes a combo GMRS+CB.)

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