Bah Humbug! I still like listening to AM radio.

https://www.freep.com/story/mo...mercial/70062845007/


Ford Motor Co. plans to stop putting AM radio in new gas-powered and electric vehicles beginning in 2024, including the all-electric Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning pickup, the Detroit Free Press has confirmed.

"We are transitioning from AM radio for most new and updated 2024 models," Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Free Press. "A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options. Ford will continue to offer these alternatives for customers to hear their favorite AM radio music, news and podcasts as we remove amplitude modulation — the definition of AM in this case — from most new and updated models we bring to market."

More to the story, if that link tries to get you to pay, just google the story, surely more stories elsewhere.
.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
"We are transitioning from AM radio for most new and updated 2024 models," Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Free Press. "A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options. Ford will continue to offer these alternatives for customers to hear their favorite AM radio music, news and podcasts as we remove amplitude modulation — the definition of AM in this case — from most new and updated models we bring to market."
.

And I'm sure they will be attempting to collect a subscription fee for access to those streaming services as well.

And, GM is dropping Apple Car Play on it's EV models, my guess is they are negotiating on income/cost basis for Apple Car Play and seeing if it's going to have any backlash from consumers.



Link

I only really listen to AM radio for the Astros games, if I'm in the car.
And, those are blacked out from the I Heart Radio app, so you'd be DOA for listening in otherwise.

I always liked the option of both AM/FM ... bummer to hear this.

At least there is still and aftermarket option.

A lot of AM is conservative talk radio which I am the MSM detests.

I don't often listen to AM, but how much can this save them if there is already an FM receiver in the car?

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
And, GM is dropping Apple Car Play on it's EV models, my guess is they are negotiating on income/cost basis for Apple Car Play and seeing if it's going to have any backlash from consumers.



Link

Probably like Tesla. My biggest gripe with my model 3. Have a $9 monthly subscription for unlimited streaming music, internet access for watching netflix and what ever, live traffic maps, etc.

Just use an AM radio station app from your phone.

quote:

Originally posted by benny6:
Just use an AM radio station app from your phone.

I Heart Radio allows this, although as P250 said, not all sporting events will play though that channel online like they will over the air.

It's all subscription based, the car companies see how Tech is making billions by charging annual subscription fees for software, since people typically wouldn't buy their annual upgrades until it was necessary, aka Intuit's Quickbooks software.

I remember riding with my uncle in his convertible Impala listening to the 8 track.

quote:

Originally posted by benny6:
Just use an AM radio station app from your phone.

How does that work?
I know how to hit the radio button on my car...

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
I remember riding with my uncle in his convertible Impala listening to the 8 track.

Did you have a matchbook jammed under the tape so it would play correctly?

It screws up local listeners. It screws up local advertisers.

I like, for example, listening on Saturday morning to a local nursery/gardening show. People call in with questions, and these will be pertinent to the local area, not across the country. They don't just answer questions, they tell you what to do now, what is upcoming, as far as things you need to keep up with when you try to keep your yard and flowers trees and shrubs looking good, etc.

There is also a Home Improvement radio show right after, people call in with questions about homes, wanting advice on things such as plumbing, HVAC, you name it.

These 2 shows, among a few others, are produced locally by experts in the field here, not some slick big city people from who knows where, and not much may be pertinent to your local area.

At nights, I used to listen to The Midnight Cowboy from WBAP in Fort Worth, the Texas Overnight Show with Charley on KRLD in Dallas, the Cincinnati overnight trucking show, all AM, and a few powerhouses of music. KOMA in OKC ws well known for a wide geographical range. I also really liked, when I could get it, KFI AM in Southern California. I'm not an early morning person, I'm up late and there's nothing but crap on TV.

quote:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OKCGene,

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I don't often listen to AM, but how much can this save them if there is already an FM receiver in the car?

The issue for the EV cars is they are such a bad design that they emit electrical noise on the AM broadcast band, making it difficult to hear anything else but the noise. Seriously, they need to spend more time on electromagnetic compatibility and the issue (mostly) goes away.

FEMA officials correctly say AM is the backbone of the Emergency Broadcast System.

When SHTF, good luck with those cell phone steaming services. In the disaster area, you may not even get local FM stations. As an example, during the Loma Prietta Quake, Bay Area locals got info from some 50 kW AM station near Sac, because local stations just weren't there.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by benny6:
Just use an AM radio station app from your phone.

I Heart Radio allows this, although as P250 said, not all sporting events will play though that channel online like they will over the air.

Yep, IIRC I tried using I Heart Radio to get better reception than the hit & miss AM for a Stros game, it gave some message about it being blacked out (probably locale based, since I was driving in Houston) and it went to a replay of some other earlier show on the station.

I drive a fair amount, often to AZ or CA, and I can tell you there are areas where the cell service is very weak and in some areas no cell service at all. So much for streaming.

I'll say this, because of boredom with the same old same old scenery, I often take my time and drive the back roads over less populated to desolate areas. If I need to get there quickly I'll stick with the big roads and interstates.

I'd better say this before I get called out, it does seem that more and more cell towers are going up making things better.
.

Ok I'll say it, and it needs to be said. Ford, you stupid fucking idiots. Old guys are still buying your overpriced trucks, and you still purposely chose to piss off a major market segment ? How stupid is that ? Pretty stupid if you ask me.

That eliminates the ability to listen to 50% of the radio stations in this town.

I'm 55 and may have listened to AM radio a dozen times in my life. I think I listened to WLS in 1975 while visiting my grandparents in Clayton, MI. Only at night though.

I won't miss it, but can see why people that listen to it will.