Why is AM radio still used?

Although the heyday of AM radio has passed, it remains an integral part of many lives as a means of communication in third-world countries, or simply tuning in for local news and weather. Amplitude modulation (AM) is by far the oldest form of modulation known.

Why does AM still exist?

With FM and music AM cannot compete, but can provide good talk radio. A radio or TV station cannot simply be turned off by the owner. They have to get the permission of the FCC and this is often difficult. So many AM stations remain on because of this.

Why is AM used instead of FM?

AM stands for Amplitude Modulation and has poorer sound quality compared with FM, but it is cheaper to transmit and can be sent over long distances -- especially at night. The lower frequencies of the band we use for AM signals creates a wavelength that is extremely large.

What was the downfall of AM radio?

The decline in AM audio was due more to regulation than to method of modulation. One aspect of radio not understood by most listeners is the concept of occupied bandwidth, or the amount of spectrum that a station uses to transmit its signal.

What is the future of AM radio?

“Most U.S. manufacturers have not phased out AM radios (except Tesla) yet but it might be on the horizon as more people adopt satellite or 5G-based radio.” Manufacturers are beginning to question why an AM dial should be included in new vehicles since AM radio is accessible through the internet.

What's So Special About AM Radio?

Will FM radio be discontinued?

Big radio switch-off is DELAYED again: AM and FM stations will be available on old devices for another decade as switchover from analogue to digital is put off until 2032.

When did AM radio lose popularity?

Before television, AM radio was the predominant broadcast entertainment medium in America. Beginning in the 1970s, AM listenership has significantly declined, primarily shifting to the FM band.

Who listens to AM radio?

The median age of listeners to the AM band is 57 years old, a full generation older than the median age of FM listeners."

Why is AM radio so low quality?

The major disadvantage of AM is that the signal is affected by electrical storms and other radio frequency interference. Also, although the radio transmitters can transmit sound waves of frequency up to 15 kHz, most receivers are able to reproduce frequencies only up to 5kHz or less.

Why is AM radio bad at night?

AM signals can be harder to hear at night than they are in the daytime. Each day, between sunset and sunrise, distant AM signals can reflect off the upper layers of the atmosphere and be reflected back to ground hundreds of miles away, causing interference to local stations.

Do airplanes use AM or FM?

In aviation, radio works with the AM method or amplitude modulation. It uses less bandwidth and is the first one ever used; however, it is also the one which is mostly affected by interference and hence has a poorer audio quality.

Why does FM radio sound richer than AM radio?

Each FM station is allocated 150 kHz of bandwidth, which is 15 times that of an AM station. This means that an FM station can transmit 15 times as much information as an AM station and explains why music sounds so much better on FM.

Does a Tesla have an AM radio?

Tesla, Audi, Porsche and Volvo have also removed AM radio from their electric vehicles, as has Volkswagen from its electric S.U.V., ID.4, according to the carmakers and the National Association of Broadcasters. Ford said that the 2023 F-150 Lightning, its popular electric pickup truck, would also drop AM radio.

Why don't Tesla's have AM radio?

Ford was joined by BMW, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo in staking out the position that AM radio is incompatible with EVs, citing electromagnetic interference from the powertrain. Indeed, Tesla made this same argument when it removed AM radio from its vehicles back in 2018.

Do electric cars interfere with AM radio?

What's happening: Automakers say EVs' electric motors interfere with AM frequencies, creating annoying buzzing noises and faded signals. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, wants car companies to maintain free access to broadcast radio as a public safety measure.

Is AM radio outdated?

Gone are the days of the 'warm, soothing AM stereo' sound. Music has all but left the AM band, with FM (Frequency Modulation) offering far superior listening experience, in terms of interference rejection, stereo signal, and noise floor.

Why is AM radio so Staticy?

Many other sources produce radio waves, including the sun, lightning, and power lines. If the frequency of these other waves overlap with the intended channel, the AM receiver can pick them up as changes in amplitude, resulting in noise or static.

Does AM or FM travel further?

FM transmission has broadcast waves ( 88-108 MHZ) that are shorter than AM broadcast waves (540 – 1600 kHz) and do not go as far.

What is the average age of AM radio listener?

The median listener to AM/FM Radio is 46 years old — 12 years older than the listener to streaming and podcasts. But there is another way to look at things, and that is to total the time spent listening to each platform and finding the point where half of the listening is being done above that age and half below.

Why do people still listen to AM?

Although the heyday of AM radio has passed, it remains an integral part of many lives as a means of communication in third-world countries, or simply tuning in for local news and weather. Amplitude modulation (AM) is by far the oldest form of modulation known.

Does talk radio still exist?

On 14 April 2022, talkRADIO's Twitter account was rebranded as TalkTV. On 19 April 2022, the new radio app was released on Apple, with the station now styled as TalkRadio.

How many people still use AM radio?

First, the good news: AM radio stations reach nearly 58.8 million people during a given week according to the latest Nielsen data based on the ratings company's June 2017 RADAR estimates.

What is the oldest surviving radio broadcast?

Armistice Day Broadcast by Woodrow Wilson. (

This recording of former President Woodrow Wilson made by phonograph technician Frank L. Capps is the earliest surviving sound recording of a regular radio broadcast.

What was the best AM radio ever made?