# AM radio being removed from cars **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** radio-podcast\ **Created:** [May 15, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081 "2023-05-15T14:29:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/282 "2026-10-05T23:20:53Z")
> [@Mk\_VII](#): > > The most recent vans we had at work didn’t have any radio at all Zounds! You’re lucky to have escaped with your life. Imagine if a hurricane had showed up unannounced in the middle of your shift and killed all the power and the entire cell network. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/283 "2026-10-05T23:26:33Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Tuning into a station i don’t ever expect to listen to isn’t all the compelling. Also, I’m old. I do have radios in the house. Good for you! So do we. And all of them still work! For you or anyone looking for a radio station in your market that has any format whasoever and where to find them on the dial, check this web site: [https://radio-locator.com/](https://radio-locator.com/) Simply type in your town or city. It will show you everything that is likely to be receivable in your area. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/284 "2026-10-05T23:31:16Z")
> [@Mk\_VII](#): > > The most recent vans we had at work didn’t have any radio at all Which is not uncommon at all in vehicles, especially vans and trucks, which are sold for commercial use. (Which is why I noted that nearly all _privately-owned_ cars and trucks came from the factory with radios, until not too long ago.) ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/285 "2026-10-06T01:17:41Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > For you or anyone looking for a radio station in your market that has any format whasoever and where to find them on the dial, check this web site: [https://radio-locator.com/](https://radio-locator.com/) > > Simply type in your town or city. It will show you everything that is likely to be receivable in your area. Given the thread, there’s some serious irony in this post. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/286 "2026-10-06T17:36:59Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > not uncommon at all in vehicles, especially vans and trucks, which are sold for commercial use. (Which is why I noted that nearly all _privately-owned_ cars and trucks came from the factory with radios Hah! In 1990 I still could (and did) buy a new car with _no_ radio head unit of any sort. Put one (am/fm/cass) in myself the next week. But that kind of an easy opt-in/opt-out is no longer really viable with the current integrated infotainment systems. I wonder if it were would this be as much of an issue. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/287 "2026-10-06T18:55:23Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > 1990 I still could (and did) buy a new car with _no_ radio head unit of any sort. Put one (am/fm/cass) in myself the next week. Same. I bought one that was cheaper, to the surprise of the dealer. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/288 "2026-10-06T19:09:39Z")
Me too. In 1993. With a detachable faceplate. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/289 "2026-10-06T21:40:03Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > But that kind of an easy opt-in/opt-out is no longer really viable with the current integrated infotainment systems. I wonder if it were would this be as much of an issue. I also bought a car (two of them actually) and had a better, cheaper AM/FM/cassette and speaker system installed. The problem with a standalone AM module is that it absolutely needs an antenna, and as noted upthread, car manufacturers would love to get rid of even the stubby shark fin antenna now in use. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081.md?page=14)