Need FM Radio

[cvollers]

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?

AM sports radio is just about the only reason I switch the radio on. For FM it’s NPR for jazz, news, and All Things Considered. Otherwise I can stream any music I can find on FM and do it without commercials.

 

[AngryMedic]

[/QUOTE]
I would 100% take one, and I am not a boomer. can we make that center dial be a push to turn on and off? e-ink display an option, I honestly do not know.

 

[SlateModGarage]

I would 100% take one, and I am not a boomer. can we make that center dial be a push to turn on and off? e-ink display an option, I honestly do not know.
[/QUOTE]

That’s exactly what I was thinking—keep it simple. A black-and-white screen with white text, and a large knob that you press to cycle through options. Hold the knob to power off, and a single press to turn it back on. The knob would also control both volume and tuning.

Here’s how the full control flow could work, all with just that one knob:

• Rotate (Default): Adjust volume, tune stations, or scroll presets depending on the current mode.
• Short Press: Cycles through modes—Volume, FM, Bluetooth, (optional AM), and Presets.
• Long Press: Powers the unit off. One tap turns it back on.
• Preset Programming: Handled via a phone app—clean, easy, and customizable.

No extra buttons, no clutter—just a clean, minimal control that feels great to use. If this ends up working like I hope, it could be one of the slickest parts of the dash.

that is what I was thinking. Simple. Black and white screen with screen letters white and push the big knob to flip through option and hold knob to turn off and one press to turn back on. Knob then would control stations and volme

 

[cvollers]

I would 100% take one, and I am not a boomer. can we make that center dial be a push to turn on and off? e-ink display an option, I honestly do not know.

That’s exactly what I was thinking—keep it simple. A black-and-white screen with white text, and a large knob that you press to cycle through options. Hold the knob to power off, and a single press to turn it back on. The knob would also control both volume and tuning.

Here’s how the full control flow could work, all with just that one knob:

• Rotate (Default): Adjust volume, tune stations, or scroll presets depending on the current mode.
• Short Press: Cycles through modes—Volume, FM, Bluetooth, (optional AM), and Presets.
• Long Press: Powers the unit off. One tap turns it back on.
• Preset Programming: Handled via a phone app—clean, easy, and customizable.

No extra buttons, no clutter—just a clean, minimal control that feels great to use. If this ends up working like I hope, it could be one of the slickest parts of the dash.

that is what I was thinking. Simple. Black and white screen with screen letters white and push the big knob to flip through option and hold knob to turn off and one press to turn back on. Knob then would control stations and volme
[/QUOTE]
Do you have a business that manufactures these types of things or are you just providing ideas for Slate?

 

[SlateModGarage]

I work in the smart home tech world. So I have connections with manufacturers overseas so finding this stuff and getting made is easy. The app side is the hardest part for me to find someone to do. My hope is I have like severalproducts I can come out with like this for the slate truck and sell them on a little e-com site. I have reservations for 5 and with some 3d scanners we can get some cool stuff done.