U.S. House Passes 'AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act,' Bill Advances to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the 'AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act,' sending the legislation to the Senate for further consideration. This bill aims to mandate the inclusion of AM radio receivers in all new vehicles. The move comes amidst a push by some electric vehicle manufacturers to remove AM radio from their vehicles, citing potential technical interference from large batteries. However, engineers and proponents of AM radio, such as Dennis Lyle, CEO of the Illinois Broadcasters Association, argue that such interference can be mitigated. Lyle emphasized the critical role of AM radio, particularly in rural areas where it often serves as the most reliable source of information due to geographical restrictions affecting FM signals. He also highlighted AM radio's importance in the Emergency Alert System (EAS), where stations like WTAX act as primary entry points (PEP) to disseminate critical messages during emergencies.