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From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: AM radio law opposed by tech and auto industries is close to
 passing
Date: Thu, 2 May 2024 12:34:21 -0700
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On 5/1/2024 11:28 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> You are talking of the USA?
> 
> I would think that there are areas over there where FM in cars does not work, 
> and people have to use AM.
> 
> It happens in Spain, which is far smaller, so surely it happens in the USA.

It's not just location.

There are lots of ways to deliver a message (announcement) to people
wirelessly -- AM, FM, FM-HD, TV, Satellite radio, cell phone, "air raid"
sirens, etc.

But, you have to think of which they are likely to be able to receive
AND which are easiest to "support".

You can legislate requirements for broadcasters (as a condition of
granting them use of the air waves) mandating they "conduct periodic
tests of (an) emergency broadcast capability".  But, you are ultimately
reliant on them to maintain that capability, despite any pressure on
profits, etc.

We routinely lose TV reception due to outages on the mountain (where
most of the transmitters are located).  Imagine the consequences of
an earthquake or wildfire in areas where transmitters (or repeaters)
are located.  Or, hurricane, tornado, flood, etc.

Not everyone owns a cell phone -- or keeps it ON for the convenience
of CALLERS!  The same can be said of all broadcast media (do I have
to keep a radio/TV ON 24/7/365 "just in case"?

AM radio can be leveraged for wide area coverage without requiring
lots of other technology to keep it operational.  And, the receivers
can run for long periods of time on batteries (that are likely
stale) or clock-spring mechanisms (emergency radios).