AM/FM Radio is a safety issue

[SparkYellow]

I had an AM/FM/Weather radio years ago, that had a hand crank and also batteries. But I lost it. I'm looking for a new one. Any recs?

Can't recommend the one I have. 😅 I am looking at this one right now.

https://a.co/d/0ez3bmJ5

The solar panel is twice the size of my old one. It'd be nice to never have to plug in.

There are also units that double as a walkie-talkie. I suppose in urgent situations, we'd want the ability to call for help? 🙆

https://a.co/d/09p4ntQt

 

[AZFox]

Can't recommend the one I have. 😅 I am looking at this one right now.

https://a.co/d/0ez3bmJ5

The solar panel is twice the size of my old one. It'd be nice to never have to plug in.

There are also units that double as a walkie-talkie. I suppose in urgent situations, we'd want the ability to call for help? 🙆

https://a.co/d/09p4ntQt

Expanded and pruned links:

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4QVQPH3
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2VP15G3

 

[Susan]

Can't recommend the one I have. 😅 I am looking at this one right now.

https://a.co/d/0ez3bmJ5

The solar panel is twice the size of my old one. It'd be nice to never have to plug in.

There are also units that double as a walkie-talkie. I suppose in urgent situations, we'd want the ability to call for help? 🙆

https://a.co/d/09p4ntQt

Expanded and pruned links:

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4QVQPH3
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2VP15G3

Thanks! 😊

And also thanks for the earlier rec, which I remembered today:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=TIDRADIO+TD-H3

I guess I'll get into the weeds on radios for a bit. While we're waiting to hear more about the Slate. 😉

I actually am glad that there are ways to call for help that didn't use to exist.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I actually am glad that there are ways to call for help that didn't use to exist.

Those GMRS/FRS radios only work if someone is listening & willing to respond! I personally wouldn't count on them for a rescue. Others like the cheap Baofeng radios seem to have more users.

 

[Bayfire2441]

I very much agree with this being more of an opportunity. I would prefer not to have some touchscreen to pull out and make ewaste in order to put in the old RadioShack headunit I have. Which if you ask me, is better than any modern cars these days due to it having AM/FM and the WeatherBand as well as CD support. The last two are things not on any new car I know of. I really don't expect interference to be an unsolvable problem either but of course I know very little about that subject.

 

[metroshot]

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.

Remember, AM radio and EV do not mix well due to the interference generated by EMI & RFI.

FM radio works better and more immune from the EV interference.

Radio is an option - not a safety requirement.

You should keep your smartphone turned on for any EBS alerts.

 

[AZFox]

And also thanks for the earlier rec, which I remembered today:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=TIDRADIO+TD-H3

I guess I'll get into the weeds on radios for a bit. While we're waiting to hear more about the Slate. 😉

Haha, it could keep you busy for a while.

There's a TD-H3 Plus now, I see.
Here's something to know: When model comes out with New Cool Hotness, sometimes it removes capabilities previous models had. Maybe some frequency ranges are gone or some firmware options are not available,. ...or whatever.

I did my research in late 2024, so if some Earth-shaking development has happened since then I don't know about it (yet). Generally those moderately-priced radios have been getting better and better.

You can probably catch up on the virtues of the current offerings on YouTube. Keep in mind that some of what you see there will be sponsored or otherwise biased. Sometimes there are little golden nuggets of useful information in the comments.

IMHO the "crystal" color would be a great choice for glamping.

 

[cadblu]

Those GMRS/FRS radios only work if someone is listening & willing to respond! I personally wouldn't count on them for a rescue. Others like the cheap Baofeng radios seem to have more users.

A couple of comments.

First, Ham radio operators DO help in emergencies, even if they aren’t legally required to. It’s more of a volunteer community thing—we are trained to assist, especially during disasters when regular comms fail, and follow FCC rules to prioritize public safety.

Second, the TD-H3 also broadcasts commercial FM radio, 88-108 MHz in addition to UHF / VHF, air band, and NOAA weather reports. In many areas, certain FM radio stations simulcast AM radio newscasts, so in effect you do have capability to receive AM radio (indirectly). I have the H3 and find it useful and a great value. I strongly recommend that you use Chirp programming which is significantly better than trying to use the built in Bluetooth with the included app.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

A couple of comments.

First, Ham radio operators DO help in emergencies, even if they aren’t legally required to. It’s more of a volunteer community thing—we are trained to assist, especially during disasters when regular comms fail, and follow FCC rules to prioritize public safety.

Good point! My focus was on GMRS/FRS radios, not the more typical amateur equipment that requires FCC licensing. But I agree with and understand your point on Ham operators being more responsible with how they conduct themselves on the airwaves.

Second, the TD-H3 also broadcasts commercial FM radio, 88-108 MHz in addition to UHF / VHF, air band, and NOAA weather reports. In many areas, certain FM radio stations simulcast AM radio newscasts, so in effect you do have capability to receive AM radio (indirectly). I have the H3 and find it useful and a great value. I strongly recommend that you use Chirp programming which is significantly better than trying to use the built in Bluetooth with the included app.

I'm not that familiar with the TD-H3. Though it may be capable of broadcasting on those commercial bands, doesn't the operator need the proper licensing to broadcast on those bands?

This has become a very interesting discussion on radio!

 

[metroshot]

A couple of comments.

First, Ham radio operators DO help in emergencies, even if they aren’t legally required to. It’s more of a volunteer community thing—we are trained to assist, especially during disasters when regular comms fail, and follow FCC rules to prioritize public safety.

Second, the TD-H3 also broadcasts commercial FM radio, 88-108 MHz in addition to UHF / VHF, air band, and NOAA weather reports. In many areas, certain FM radio stations simulcast AM radio newscasts, so in effect you do have capability to receive AM radio (indirectly). I have the H3 and find it useful and a great value. I strongly recommend that you use Chirp programming which is significantly better than trying to use the built in Bluetooth with the included app.

Yes, amateur radio (Ham) are perfect for emergencies.
Have been licensed since 1982.

Used to go to Field Days when I was younger, using solar and 12V batteries for simulating emergency power.

I have tri-band ham radio: 2m, 70cm, and 6M FM, as well as AM Aviation radio in my car.

Aviation VHF radio is perfect for up to date weather using: ASOS, AWOS, NOAA, TAF, METARs.

This is what I use in the car and when I fly, it goes into my flight bag as backup comms.

 

[cadblu]

I'm not that familiar with the TD-H3. Though it may be capable of broadcasting on those commercial bands, doesn't the operator need the proper licensing to broadcast on those bands?

This has become a very interesting discussion on radio!

For the commercial FM radio function, it is Rx only. In fact I’m not aware of any Ham radio equipment that can legally transmit on commercial radio. But even if someone could rig that, you can bet it would result in a huge fine by the FCC. 🧐

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Remember, AM radio and EV do not mix well due to the interference generated by EMI & RFI.

Again, not an issue. You can pick up AM radio in any EV perfectly fine.

Also, unrelated, I just discovered that the bills will stop letting WGR550 broadcast games, so it turns out I never need AM radio again.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

For the commercial FM radio function, it is Rx only. In fact I’m not aware of any Ham radio equipment that can legally transmit on commercial radio. But even if someone could rig that, you can bet it would result in a huge fine by the FCC.

Ok, that makes more sense!

Your earlier post claimed that the TD-H3 can broadcast (transmit) on those bands, not just receive…

the TD-H3 also broadcasts commercial FM radio, 88-108 MHz in addition to UHF / VHF, air band, and NOAA weather reports.

😵‍💫 😆

 

[cadblu]

Ok, that makes more sense!

Your earlier post claimed that the TD-H3 can broadcast (transmit) on those bands, not just receive…
😵‍💫 😆

Sorry about that, chief. Thanks for setting me straight. 📡 73's to all. 📡

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Sorry about that, chief. Thanks for setting me straight. 📡 73's to all. 📡

No worries! Tell us more about some good radios.

For example I’d like something that can receive AM, FM & WB minimum, SW and/or CB for trucker traffic chatter would be nice but I really don’t know if truckers even use CB anymore. Are there any mobile units that can do this?