Need FM Radio

[TheShark]

I'm not so sure about that. I'm betting the Slate is going to be as noisey or more noisey than lower trim Bronco.

Obviously you haven't driven in a Bronco not matter the trim at 70mph. 😁 The slate can't be any noisier. My Maverick feels like a Lincoln Continental in comparison. I still love my Bronco even if I have to turn up the radio.

 

[MavStangVa]

I think the best option is for Slate (or Crutchfield) to offer a replacement panel for the center dash piece that has a double-din sized opening. Add some metal brackets behind the dash to secure a standard double-din sized radio.

Also offer blank speaker covers (but not speakers, and not blue-tooth speakers) to allow standard speaker installation on the left and right side of the dash (6" round"?ovals?).

Top it off with pre-wired +12v hot, +12v when running, and a ground wire pigtail and you're ready to put in any basic radio you want. Just need to add an antenna somewhere. Since the body is plastic a wire antenna under the body may work just fine?

If I do wind up getting a Slate (I have a reservation in), I want to use Apple CarPlay and just keep my phone in my pocket. Easy enough to do with double-din radios that have a built-in screen. Add a couple of decent speakers and you're good to go. Won't be audiophile grade but should should good enough...

I like any radio with a real volume knob. Here's a cheap one...

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_110CAR723W/Jensen-CAR723W.html

Slate could do that then ad 2k to the price for the material, engineering, shipping of parts, and assembly.

 

[cvollers]

Because I'm a Boomer and my cell phone is not part of my body like it probably is for you

I have to believe Slate did their research on this and found that the majority of their target market use their phone to stream music or listen from their phone's music library...and that the majority of their target market don't listen to radio and if they do, they stream radio using an app on their phone. Does this mean their target market are all young people? Hardly. I'm 62 and the only reason I turn the radio on is to listen to sports radio...which I can also get by streaming. I have not gone anywhere without my phone since 1999 and nowhere without my iPhone since 2012 (I worked for Microsoft before that).

 

[TheShark]

Streaming is fine if you live in urban areas with good cell coverage but for us folks that live or travel to areas with bad or no cell coverage it's a problem.

 

[JeffVA]

Streaming is fine if you live in urban areas with good cell coverage but for us folks that live or travel to areas with bad or no cell coverage it's a problem.

Someone will make an after market plug and play radio for the dash, it's a no brainier money maker.

I get the feeling some of these people would rather amputate their arm before they go anywhere without their cell phones

 

[cvollers]

Streaming is fine if you live in urban areas with good cell coverage but for us folks that live or travel to areas with bad or no cell coverage it's a problem.

I’m having a hard time imagining the Slate being used in a rural area with low to no cell service. I would 100% go ICE for that scenario.

 

[JRSNoVa]

Move those USB music flies to a Sony Walkman. My plan for an audio system for the Slate is a Bluetooth enabled amplifier to hardwired speakers in the dash and use my Walkman for source music. The Walkman will automatically connect to the amp via Bluetooth. The Alpine PXE-C80-88 fits the bill.

Or just save the mp3s to the phone and play them from there via bluetooth. No need for a data connection.

Even better, if the Slate has enough usb ports, copy the mp3s to a thumb drive and play them directly, which is what I've been doing for a while now.

 

[cvollers]

Or just save the mp3s to the phone and play them from there via bluetooth. No need for a data connection.

Even better, if the Slate has enough usb ports, copy the mp3s to a thumb drive and play them directly, which is what I've been doing for a while now.

I think there will be a lot of ways to skin this cat…

 

[GreatLakes]

I’m having a hard time imagining the Slate being used in a rural area with low to no cell service. I would 100% go ICE for that scenario.

I can't imagine what issues you are thinking of? I spent the first forty years of my life without a cell phone. How does ICE vs EV in rural areas play into it?

 

[cvollers]

I can't imagine what issues you are thinking of? I spent the first forty years of my life without a cell phone. How does ICE vs EV in rural areas play into it?

Less about the cell service and more about the travel distances and perhaps lack of charging stations.

 

[BahamaTodd]

The problem for Slate is that they're trying to pass a bill requiring that AM radio remains in cars, which would definitely mean that FM would be available.

Although I do wonder if there is a loophole that this won't apply if radio is not available in the vehicle to begin with.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradad...-pass-law-requiring-am-radio-in-all-new-cars/

 

[SlateModGarage]

Slate: Develop a basic single speaker radio we can plug into the center dashboard. Thank you

Another angle I’ve been exploring for the Slate’s audio setup with a manufacturer: a modular Bluetooth amp system with a built-in DAC and optional FM radio. The goal here is a super clean, minimal install—no traditional head unit, just a solid sound system controlled by your phone or a small onboard control.

The base mod would be Bluetooth-powered, wired to the Slate’s 12V system, and easily connect to your speakers. For audio quality, we’d add a DAC so you’re not relying on the phone’s internal one, and the FM radio option could be nice for folks who still like tuning into local stations or need emergency broadcast access.


Control-wise, we’d keep it flexible.

• Default setup: Use your phone to control volume and media through any app.
• Optional upgrade: Add a small screw-type selector and an aluminum knob for volume/input. It’d cost a bit more, but gives that tactile feedback some folks really prefer—especially if you’re wearing gloves or don’t want to fumble with your phone while driving.

It would all mount discreetly and run clean power, no batteries to swap or bulky dash gear. Could be a nice option for people who want good sound without a giant install project.

Would this kind of audio mod fit your build style? Curious how many would want the physical knob versus just Bluetooth/app control.

 

[zipn]

Hardwiring a pair of passive dash speakers is as easy as powering 2 Bluetooth speakers. You are either running a power wire or a speaker wire. Just a pair of speaker grills as an option would be my request. DIY your own aftermarket speakers.

 

[cvollers]

Another angle I’ve been exploring for the Slate’s audio setup with a manufacturer: a modular Bluetooth amp system with a built-in DAC and optional FM radio. The goal here is a super clean, minimal install—no traditional head unit, just a solid sound system controlled by your phone or a small onboard control.

The base mod would be Bluetooth-powered, wired to the Slate’s 12V system, and easily connect to your speakers. For audio quality, we’d add a DAC so you’re not relying on the phone’s internal one, and the FM radio option could be nice for folks who still like tuning into local stations or need emergency broadcast access.


Control-wise, we’d keep it flexible.

• Default setup: Use your phone to control volume and media through any app.
• Optional upgrade: Add a small screw-type selector and an aluminum knob for volume/input. It’d cost a bit more, but gives that tactile feedback some folks really prefer—especially if you’re wearing gloves or don’t want to fumble with your phone while driving.

It would all mount discreetly and run clean power, no batteries to swap or bulky dash gear. Could be a nice option for people who want good sound without a giant install project.

Would this kind of audio mod fit your build style? Curious how many would want the physical knob versus just Bluetooth/app control.

Add AM and you have something.

 

[SlateModGarage]

Add AM and you have something.

I’ve had a few folks tell me to just stick with FM for the audio setup—but I’m curious what the rest of you think. Personally, I don’t use FM or AM much anymore—I’m all about streaming—but I know some of you still love the analog charm.

If adding AM means another knob or switch (and a bump in cost), is it really worth it? Would love to hear what you use and why. Is there still a place for AM in a modern build?