AM/FM Radio is a safety issue

[ElectricShitbox]

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

They're already on top of it, just search "universal antenna", and then bam, your head unit has radio.

 

[Johnologue]

For any car with a highly-integrated and closed off dash with a big stupid tablet and all, I'd be mad. For the Slate specifically, it feels like buying a cheap radio (or grabbing one from your garage) and sticking it in the cabin is in the spirit of things.

 

[Sparkie]

For any car with a highly-integrated and closed off dash with a big stupid tablet and all, I'd be mad. For the Slate specifically, it feels like buying a cheap radio (or grabbing one from your garage) and sticking it in the cabin is in the spirit of things.

Yes, I agree!
That's the Slate spirit.

 

[Sparkie]

@Yukon Cedars , I think understand your concerns about radio wave broadcasts vs cell phone for communication -- especially when the poop hits the fan.

We'll be able to install our own AM (and my preference of GMRS) radios and use Slate's power. I plan to do that for myself in my own Slate -- especially since it's my preferred (and hopefully most advanced) tech, not some other person's outdated decision.

With respect to vehicle's interference with AM, I don't expect I'll have an issue. That interference was common with ICE due to EMF spark plug ignition. Slate's drive line is a DC motor. While regenerative braking has magnetic fields, it's NOT bust pulses from an ignition. In a year or so, I'll come back here with an update on how my radio is working.

By the way, my "must have feature" for all my vehicles has always been -- and still is, a manual transmission. That's not logical on an EV. Yet despite the missing clutch and gear box, I still have my Slate reservation.

 

[AZFox]

Maybe the (conceptually) simple solution proposed by @JeffVA in the Need FM Radio thread deserves some consideration.

Although the thread might need a name change...

 

[ElectricShitbox]

With respect to vehicle's interference with AM, I don't expect I'll have an issue. That interference was common with ICE due to EMF spark plug ignition. Slate's drive line is a DC motor. While regenerative braking has magnetic fields, it's NOT bust pulses from an ignition.

The motor is AC, not DC, but unless you try to stuff the antenna between the motor and inverter (mounted directly on the motor), it won't be an interference issue.

 

[clofan]

Nah, no radio needed here. I prefer the truck without it

 

[Sparkie]

The motor is AC, not DC, but unless you try to stuff the antenna between the motor and inverter (mounted directly on the motor), it won't be an interference issue.

Good to know. Thanks.
I have no plans to modify anything along the path from battery to the wheel hub.

 

[Deb G]

For a long time in one of my 4 wheelers i had a radio laying up on the dash area... It worked until it fell off one day and the antenna broke. I have radios in my tractors, none get AM, because there isn't a signal close enough. So do I worry that the truck has a radio or not. Nope! I like that it's silent and being electric it's quiet. I drive an electric Polaris ranger and it has no radio and the Slate is going to replace the Polaris. I've never ever considered a radio a safety device. I have had a CB radio and there was a time that I had a Motorola 2-way.

 

[KevinRS]

Yes radio is becoming obsolete. in the past few weeks probably the strongest local station, on FM, and serving an area with ~500k people, moved frequencies, also moved transmission locations, and where the majority of those people live, the station now is weaker and has static. No word on the reason for the move, but it's probably a cheaper station to operate on. The old frequency seems to have a staticy weak feed of talk radio now, maybe it's just off and I'm picking up the next closest station on that frequency.
Radio stations are getting less and less revenue from ads, just like newspapers and magazines. They already employ mainly part timers, if they even actually have local employees, and most of the programming on almost all stations is either automated or syndicated, spreading the cost among many stations. If some event like a weather event or earthquake happened, I'm doubtful whether any local station would report on it, as they may not have anyone actually at the station to say anything.
Most of the AM stations and half the FM have gone to "talk radio" which is generally a feed coming from elsewhere in the country, very possibly not live, and highly political, or non-english programming. At this point they are basically podcasts.

 

[AZFox]

If safety in an emergencies is your concern get two of these(*) for $40 and learn how to use them. They receive AM, FM, and NOAA Weather, but can do much more than just that.

🖕 That model (Baofeng AR-5RM) inexpensive and adequate. Another one to consider would be a TIDRADIO TD-H3. Selections change, and I haven't looked into what's available in a while. The best way to choose wisely is to spend some time investigating. Choose one that can be charged via USB.

(*) The saying goes: "Two is one, one is none."

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Those baofengs are great. I've used them for racing.

 

[Yukon Cedars]

Expensive, and doesn’t (really) fit the bill. I mean You can get these with short wave and UHF too; but not comparable to an in dash set up, of which this thread is about.

I actually haul around an older UHF handheld, and take it in the drink on occasion (not in car).

Thankful for assurances on this thread and other threads that there should be options coming up for a good in-dash AM/FM (CD included would also be nice) and that there shouldn’t be any worry about interference because fields are largely DC.

Others have mentioned the digital Bluetooth stuff, which to anyone with sensitive ears is pretty ghastly and not too reliable. That stuff can even demand a subscription of all things! Already a listed option of course.

 

[null98115]

Here's an entire page of crank AM radios on Amazon. Problem solved. You're welcome.

 

[E90400K]

Just a note...

If and when the shit hits the fan, you'll not be able to charge your Slate unless you have solar at home, and then that will be just for local 75-mile trips.