I want my AM/FM radio and that's all there is to it!

[E90400K]

I guess that's why the banhammer just dropped.

I think it is a record too. Not many bans happen here on the Forum.

 

[E90400K]

To me, it's like, how much is it to install your own radio? Couple hundred? But have the company include it, and they charge what? couple thousand? Why are people insisting on this?

Agree. And to coin a phrase, being this Truck is a Blank Slate, it will be much easier to build and install the audio system you want rather than mod a proprietary system from the manufacturer.

 

[E90400K]

RFI in car radios is filtered in the radio, not the car. FWIW; RFI in greater in ICE cars then EVs. Spark plugs are noisy.

The 1950's called, it wants it Champions back...

 

[E90400K]

It seems everthing your write is negative. I suggest you consider that this might not be the right vehicle for you. An easy solution for AM/FM radio is to use your smartphone or tablet and subscribe to a service such as SimpleRadio. There are many to choose from, at a cost of $15-$30 per year. Not every station is available; only something like 90,000 national and international stations to choose from.

BUT YOU KNOW THE STATION HE WANTS to listen to will not be one of those 90,000...

[kidding with the use of CAPS text ]

 

[bartflossom]

My kids were in high school back in the aughts, and they've never ever even listened to an AM station. And probably only heard FM when riding with me and wife. Thinking this guy is trolling for fun and probably is from a Mitsubishi I-MiEV forum somewhere. Good riddance.

 

[sglewiswl]

Does the Slate have a spot for a standard automotive radio and speakers? I have to say I wouldn't buy a vehicle without the ability to add an integrated audio system. 100's of automotive components are available off the shelf and providing for it would make good sense.

 

[Ironman]

That's a great question. This is a DIY vehicle and if you can't install a radio, or change a windshield wiper....maybe this is not for you.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Unfortunately the thread author is correct in that electric vehicles are notorious for RF interference. Even Tesla cars do not have AM radios in them due to the RFI. There have been congressional hearings regarding eliminating AM radios in cars and the potential impact to safety messages not getting to those needing them (weather alerts as an example). I do think EV mfg. need to do a better job of managing the issue, as it affects everyone near them. A commenter above stated the RFI is filtered in the radio. That is incorrect. The RFI has to be filtered at the source where it is generated. Once it is 'in the wild', it impacts everyone near. It becomes like trying to have a conversation at a football stadium, the noise level overwhelms everything you are trying to hear.

 

[Kopsis]

The RFI has to be filtered at the source where it is generated.

Correct, though it's not really "filtering" in the electrical sense, it has to be blocked through EM shielding. And due to the relatively low frequencies involved and the lack of an earth ground, effective shielding could add significant size, weight, and cost. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, so those clamoring for AM radio support need to state how much they're willing to reduce range and increase price to get it.

 

[sglewiswl]

I don't listen to AM radio so I can't say if my EV has any greater interference than my ICE, but my Mach-E has AM radio.

 

[slate808]

So the OP raised a question in my low tech brain and maybe those of you tech guys can hopefully reassure me. Will my smartphone continue to receive those emergency alerts when I am driving in my Blank Slate? I have no plans to install any kind of sound system. I was going to just put my phone in a holder and keep it turned on. Maybe recharge the phone through a USB port.

 

[Kopsis]

Will my smartphone continue to receive those emergency alerts when I am driving in my Blank Slate?

Should be fine. Those alerts come through the cellular network which operates in a range of the spectrum - far from the frequencies used in the motor drive electronics.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Will my smartphone continue to receive those emergency alerts when I am driving in my Blank Slate?

Your smartphone will operate as well as it does in any other vehicle. Ditto AM and FM radio, because again, loads of EVs have both without issue.

 

[Paul]

I want my AM/FM radio and that's all there is to it!
ONE OF THE CHEATS THAT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INDUSTRY IS THEIR FAILURE TO PROPERLY BLOCK RFI RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE!
I WANT CAN'T GET AM R the AM/FM

I want my AM/FM radio and that's all there is to it!
ONE OF THE CHEATS THAT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INDUSTRY IS THEIR FAILURE TO PROPERLY BLOCK RFI RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE!
I WANT MY AM RADIO STATIONS AND I WANT THEM TO BE CLEAR THAT MEANS I DEMAND PROPER RFI BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE.
YOU DON'T GET AWAY WITH IT AND IF YOU'RE HOPING THAT SLATE WILL BECOME THE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS CAR OF CHOICE, LET ME ASSURE YOU IT WILL FAIL MISERABLY IF THEY CAN'T GET AM RADIO, THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE MESS?
And if it turns out that slate does not provide the AM/FM radio they still have an obligation to eliminate RFI and will they be kind enough to provide speaker mounts and the doors properly drilled with proper connections knowing that most people are going to add an AM/FM radio to their infotainment system we need those doors ready for a speaker.

I'm sort of looking forward to the challenge and the end result of getting exactly what I want. This vehicle is definitely not for you And there's all kinds of other cars with radios you can buy so You can stop leaving negative comments and go do that. Pretty much every head unit I have. There's something I wish was different. And the worst part is that it's a proprietary unit that isn't easily swapped out. I'm guessing a company like Crutchfield might be testing something and giving some advice on compatibility. Maybe you want to go with an Android auto Apple carplay mirroring unit, or just a simple radio. As soon as this truck is in the wild there's going to be a huge group out there coming up with the solutions. I'm excited to see what they come up with.

 

[Letas]

To me, it's like, how much is it to install your own radio? Couple hundred? But have the company include it, and they charge what? couple thousand? Why are people insisting on this?

Well, usually when an OEM includes it, it also has speakers, which is another consideration