AM/FM Radio is a safety issue

[Yukon Cedars]

Hello I’m new on the forum and this is my first post. A Slate could be in my future if it is ever equipped with a sturdy trailer hitch and an AM/FM radio.

It doesn’t seem like Slate is planning to install AM/FM radios as standard equipment even though they are standard SAFETY equipment. It’s imperative to be able to receive weather, road condition, and emergency information from the local channels you see on road signs—not something easily available from a cell phone, if at all.

Also such radio needs to function within the vehicle’s electrical fields—not necessarily something available off the shelf somewhere, and assurance of reliability really needs to come from the automaker.

The cost would be very negligible if integrated universally and it would likely save lives every year.

Why is this not happening? I would think it would be common sense.

 

[Luxrage]

As of now it's not federally mandated that AM / FM radio is required in vehicles, and several EVs don't have AM at all due to signal issues. Slate seems to be of the mindset that the buyer can add in a radio if so desired but hasn't given specifics on single/double DIN mounting and other things yet.

I remember as late as the early 90s you could still get radio-delete optioned cars.

Edit: Suzuki Swift/Sidekick & Geo Metro/Tracker radio delete panel:

 

[AZFox]

From the Q&A video:

Q: Can I install a powerful stereo, like six-inch speakers in the door and a head unit?

A: Yes, you can.

 

[atx_ev]

Hello I’m new on the forum and this is my first post. A Slate could be in my future if it is ever equipped with a sturdy trailer hitch and an AM/FM radio.

It doesn’t seem like Slate is planning to install AM/FM radios as standard equipment even though they are standard SAFETY equipment. It’s imperative to be able to receive weather, road condition, and emergency information from the local channels you see on road signs—not something easily available from a cell phone, if at all.

Also such radio needs to function within the vehicle’s electrical fields—not necessarily something available off the shelf somewhere, and assurance of reliability really needs to come from the automaker.

The cost would be very negligible if integrated universally and it would likely save lives every year.

Why is this not happening? I would think it would be common sense.

Ive driven for 40 years and never had useful information come via am radio weather. If it is important to you, you can easily add one. And they will have the option to add one as well.

 

[Yukon Cedars]

First of all it would have to work, one of the issues I brought up in the OP. The AM has to be configured for the vehicle. Sure a lot of people never drive in the country and would not need it. But others do and it saves lives. BTW other vital information besides the weather is broadcasted.

So at minimum Slate should be hardwired to operationally accept a decent compatible radio.

If Slate accepted what is really their responsibility in the first place, regardless that the car industry has probably spent millions to slow down all the pending legislation in congress, it would probably cost maybe $3 per Slate to build in AM/FM with 4” stereo speakers. Yes I’m aware industrialists would like us all to provide a river of money for satellite or whatever.

 

[AeroWolf]

AM/FM reception is possible on cell phones that have normal wired headphone jacks and an appropriate tuning app. The wired headphones act as a radio antenna. It does work.

AM/FM Bluetooth speakers are also very practical. I have been using one, hanging off my rear-view mirror, as my handsfree phone voice, navigation, and radio option since I got bought my new Sierra W/T a decade ago when you could still get a full-size truck for around $20K.

I think Slate designers are being smart by not integrating an unnecessary component that will be the most prone to obsolescence with changes in technology.

 

[Yukon Cedars]

The problem there is two fold. First just any AM/FM tuner will not work unless it is compatible with the Slate electrical fields. Second it needs to be wired to the vehicle battery system so it won’t go dead.

I don’t agree that radio is prone to obsolescence. Broadcasting stations will still be around at the end of civilization and long after orbital satellites have been dead for centuries.

My concern is about real world safety and not about modern gadgetry, and I think Slate should also be concerned for that. The company touts their concern for collision safety, why stop there just to save a few measly dollars?

 

[sodamo]

Seems do me you really are not a Slate person, or you just like to be ** pushing something that there are options.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

@Yukon Cedars: you make good points, and I hope you are able to get a basic, reliable & affordable radio. It's not something I would pursue but I can appreciate your need for it. This might be another example of waiting for the truck to be released to market and then see what owners have to say about installing radios.

 

[Luxrage]

I'm all in on team radio, but I'm also the one that asked about the head unit and 6'' speakers in the door for the Slate Q&A so I'm more concerned about music. We probably won't know how well a dedicated AM radio will work in it until someone gets one and wires up an antenna themselves.

 

[beatle]

In a true SHTF emergency, you're not going to be tethered to your vehicle anyway. You'd be better served with a handheld radio scanner and/or world band receiver. Nobody is routinely tuning into AM radio for weather and traffic reports short of luddites who don't believe in cell phones. If you're otherwise far enough off the beaten path to not have a cell signal, you're very unlikely to be served by the target audience of a broadcast anyway. Emergency broadcasts are scoped to inform as many people as possible.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

A truly unsolvable problem...

 

[Masterducker]

The problem there is two fold. First just any AM/FM tuner will not work unless it is compatible with the Slate electrical fields. Second it needs to be wired to the vehicle battery system so it won’t go dead.

I don’t agree that radio is prone to obsolescence. Broadcasting stations will still be around at the end of civilization and long after orbital satellites have been dead for centuries.

My concern is about real world safety and not about modern gadgetry, and I think Slate should also be concerned for that. The company touts their concern for collision safety, why stop there just to save a few measly dollars?

You have the world at your finger tips for options. Why be so demanding that it is a Slate obligation to do this. The great thing is they make it so you can do what ever you would like for radio or infomation.

 

[Paul]

Hello I’m new on the forum and this is my first post. A Slate could be in my future if it is ever equipped with a sturdy trailer hitch and an AM/FM radio.

It doesn’t seem like Slate is planning to install AM/FM radios as standard equipment even though they are standard SAFETY equipment. It’s imperative to be able to receive weather, road condition, and emergency information from the local channels you see on road signs—not something easily available from a cell phone, if at all.

Also such radio needs to function within the vehicle’s electrical fields—not necessarily something available off the shelf somewhere, and assurance of reliability really needs to come from the automaker.

The cost would be very negligible if integrated universally and it would likely save lives every year.

Why is this not happening? I would think it would be common sense.

Because not everyone wants one and the point of the truck is that it's a bare bones blank slate you customize and not keep adding things that make it a $40k truck
I am guessing there will be an accessory or someone will come up with something you can add a radio..

 

[Rossel]

I'm sure Crutchfield will come up with something to satisfy the AM/FM needs.