# 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:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/21 "2023-05-15T15:30:48Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > AM/FM radios were a option well into the 1970’s. It was a relief when they were finally standard equipment. I remember my dad buying a Chevy Chevette in 1985 and only opting for the standard AM radio, no FM. Dual-band was not quite standard by then yet. Annoyed me to no end, as a kid. Why did you cheap out like that, dad?! 🙂 On the other hand, I got to know old timey 30s-50s nostalgia music, a mix of jazz standards, folk, show tunes, bluegrass, big band, etc. on WJJD 1160. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/22 "2023-05-15T15:39:26Z")
The only way to listen to the Seattle Mariners games in the Seattle area is on an AM station. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/23 "2023-05-15T15:40:07Z")
My car radio stays tuned to a classic FM country station in my area. They play Waylon, Willie Nelson, Haggard etc. I only use AM to hear Razorback basketball games. It’s nice to track the score while I’m out running errands. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/24 "2023-05-15T15:41:00Z")
My immediate thought is that “The Score” and “ESPN Sports” are both AM here in Chicago, and the majority of their listeners are commuters or other people in cars. I’m wondering what kind of impact this is going to have on them or if they can even continue. Of course, it is going to take time for the transition because only a small percentage of people get a new car in any given year. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/25 "2023-05-15T15:45:30Z")
When I listen to AM radio, which admittedly isn’t that often anymore, it’s usually to hear local news. I don’t see how podcasts or streaming would provide that. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/26 "2023-05-15T15:47:48Z")
The Score can be streamed on your phone with an app called Audacity which is free according to my quick search. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/27 "2023-05-15T15:48:56Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > When I listen to AM radio, which admittedly isn’t that often anymore, it’s usually to hear local news. I don’t see how podcasts or streaming would provide that. You can stream live radio stations. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/28 "2023-05-15T15:50:09Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > The Score can be streamed on your phone with an app called Audacity which is free according to my quick search. “Audacy,” actually. WBBM (the Chicago all-news station) can be streamed on it, as well. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/29 "2023-05-15T15:50:37Z")
Oops. Thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/30 "2023-05-15T15:51:45Z")
You can always upgrade a car radio. I have installed several stereo systems in my cars. The first was 8 track, and then cassette tape in the next car. My last install was a cd changer. These days, I’d pay Best Buy to install a stereo. My days of crawling under the dash are finished. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/31 "2023-05-15T15:52:18Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Thanks for the correction. You’re welcome. I listen to WBBM regularly, though still on an actual radio (my 1988-vintage GE clock radio 😉 ), and they continually advertise that they can be streamed on the Audacy app, so I am far too familiar with the app’s name. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/32 "2023-05-15T15:53:38Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > You can always upgrade a car radio Is that much of a thing anymore? I bought my first new car in the early 90s. Standard car radios were shitty, at least on economy cars, so I opted not to include it. I got a nice-ish one installed at Circuit City. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/33 "2023-05-15T15:54:14Z")
I kind of don’t trust streaming in cars. Don’t you need a very good cell signal for all that data? ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/34 "2023-05-15T15:55:32Z")
I’ve never had a problem but I don’t recall trying it in the boonies. You’ll probably also want an unlimited data plan. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/35 "2023-05-15T16:06:20Z")
If I drive towards St. Louis, there are big swaths of I55 where I don’t get enough of a signal on T-Mobile to stream dependably, and I have to listen to the terrestrial signal if I want radio. In the city, it’s pretty much not an issue, although there are weird pockets here and there that the signal goes out if the phone hasn’t buffered enough and I’m stuck in the dead zone long enough. One thing I like about AM is that if I’m stuck in Boofoo, I can still find some stations to keep me entertained, and, quite often, I can still even get the local Chicago stations, as AM carries far and I can usually get a couple states over before I completely lose the signal. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/36 "2023-05-15T16:10:07Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I remember my dad buying a Chevy Chevette in 1985 and only opting for the standard AM radio, no FM. I used to have a '78, no FM. People seem so disappointed when I mention my Vette, and clarify it was the ‘Chev-’ variety and not a ‘Cor-’. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/37 "2023-05-15T16:15:40Z")
Unused does not equate to unwanted. I rarely listen to AM, but would be vaguely resentful if it were taken away. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/38 "2023-05-15T16:17:14Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Is that much of a thing anymore? I bought my first new car in the early 90s. Standard car radios were shitty, at least on economy cars, so I opted not to include it. I got a nice-ish one installed at Circuit City. I looked at upgrading my car radio a couple years ago. My old 2000 van’s radio doesn’t support a jack for my phone. I haven’t upgraded yet. Over $200 is a lot just to add that feature. My newer 2014 van radio does have the jack. I listen to music on my phone. It’s also very helpful with Google maps. I can set the volume to hear the maps instructions. Its hard sometimes with road noise inside a van. Unfortunately that radio doesn’t have Bluetooth. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/39 "2023-05-15T16:23:39Z")
Fine. Relatively very few people want an AM Radio in their car. A significant number of people who want to listen to an AM Station have streaming options. There are also USB AM/FM radios for cars for under $30. But I get that you didn’t ask for solutions. It would be ridiculous for a car manufacturer to add AM capability for a new radio given how few people would use it, especially since there are very easy options for those who really want it. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081/40 "2023-05-15T16:28:02Z")
That makes sense. I can see upgrading for an older car that doesn’t have certain newer features like a USB or AUX port. Come to think of it, I had to go to a car stereo place to get an external SiriusXM radio added (2007 Accord) because the AUX port was hidden behind the dash. That place does amazing work. They would upgrade a classic Mustang with a new radio by hiding it behind the face or the original AM radio. The faceplate wound hinge down to reveal the new one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-radio-being-removed-from-cars/984081.md?page=3)