Motormouth: AM radio is becoming a blast from the past
By Motormouth Bob Weber Text size Copy shortlink:
Q: I was beginning my quadrennial car search. I ve had 11 Volvos since 1974 (I might be in a rut), and I m looking to replace my 2016 XC70 with another Volvo, probably the V60 XC. Did I hear my dealer correctly that the 2021 s do not have AM radio built into the standard audio system? How do I listen to my news, traffic, weather and sports talk? Say it isn t so!
A: It is so. AM radio stations reach nearly 58.8 million people during a given week, according to the latest Nielsen data. But that is just one in five (21%) radio users. By comparison, Nielsen says, 86% of radio listeners tuned into an FM station. Electric cars might put the final nail in the coffin. The current electric motors generate radio frequency interference (RFI) in the same wavelengths as amplitude modulation (AM) signals, creating static.
BY BOB WEBER TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Q: I was beginning my quadrennial car search. I’ve had 11 Volvos since 1974 and I’m looking to replace my 2016 XC70 with another Volvo (I might be in a rut), probably the V60 XC. Did I hear my dealer correctly that the 2021’s do not have AM radio built into the standard audio system? How do I listen to my news, traffic, weather and sports talk as I drive in the Chicago metro area or station surf while on driving trips? Say it isn’t so!
B.T., Wheaton, Illinois
AM broadcasting is already suffering from loss of advertising. Electric cars may put the final nail in the coffin. Electric motors generate radio frequency interference (RFI) in the same wavelengths as amplitude modulation (AM) signals. All you would hear from an AM radio is static. (Dreamstime/TNS)