Need FM Radio

[sodamo]

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

LOL, when I read “cheap” was expecting to click and see less than $50.

 

[AZFox]

I just noticed taht the configurator now offers a Front Center Bluetooth Speaker that mounts below the HVAC knobs. The claim it "fully integrates into the vehicle", whatever that means.

 

[KevinRS]

I just noticed taht the configurator now offers a Front Center Bluetooth Speaker that mounts below the HVAC knobs. The claim it "fully integrates into the vehicle", whatever that means.

It does seem they have updated the maker with at least some interior options. I also don't remember there being a power window option that replaces the crank with a sunglasses holder.

 

[Dorbiman]

That's been there for a long time, I've had that saved in my spec for at least a month or two. I like that it covers the electric motor

 

[woodio]

From what I gather, you will need to pair your cell phone with a speaker in the vehicle and run an app on your cell phone like my tuner to play your radio stations. Or Spotify to play your music.
Who knows if there will actually be a head unit option.

 

[YDR37]

It appears likely that the Trump administration will mandate AM radio as a standard feature in all new vehicles. So Slate may be legally required to provide an AM radio, and in that case, it seems likely that they would include FM as well.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act seems headed for passage, having attained 60 co-sponsors in the US Senate (S.315) and 242 in the US House (where it is H.R. 979). The Senate’s Commerce Committee passed the bill in February, and its support in the full Senate is considered filibuster-proof.

With the argument that AM is essential for older Americans, as a conduit for emergency broadcasts and farm reports, the bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring that cars made in the US or imported here “have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM stations or digital audio AM stations installed as standard equipment and made easily accessible to drivers.” ...

President Trump supports the bill, and told the National Religious Broadcasters during the 2024 campaign, “I will protect the content that is pro-God. To that end, at the request of the NRB, I will do my part to protect AM radio in our cars.” He also said in the speech that Christian broadcasting, a lot of it on AM (120 AM stations are NRB members), is “under siege.”

 

[AZFox]

It appears likely that the Trump administration will mandate AM radio as a standard feature in all new vehicles. So Slate may be legally required to provide an AM radio, and in that case, it seems likely that they would include FM as well.

Interesting. Both houses of Congress, including a veto-proof 60+ majority in the Senate, is some pretty solid support for it.

 

[YDR37]

Both houses of Congress, including a veto-proof 60+ majority in the Senate, is some pretty solid support for it.

The majority doesn't even need to be veto-proof, since the President already supports the bill, apparently because it is "pro-God".

Some people claim that the latest Chinese EVs have an impressive array of innovative, cutting-edge technological features. Maybe so ... but do they have AM radio?

 

[KevinRS]

If that bill passes, and the last I see is that in april it was placed on the calendar in the senate, still in committee in the house, it's another year before a rule has to be made. It may die in committee, and just never come up for a vote.
It's been years since I've even tried listening to AM, even then it appeared to be little but talk radio. Cell phone alerts have mostly replaced the public safety warning aspect of AM radio, I doubt even farmers far from cities are playing an AM station listening for weather alerts and farm reports.
If it does pass, slate will probably have to find some kind of cheap AM radio to stick in one of the dash cubbies, maybe one with the speaker built right into it, and most of us will either be ignoring it or removing it.

 

[AZFox]

The majority doesn't even need to be veto-proof, since the President already supports the bill, apparently because it is "pro-God".

This site isn't a place to air your grievances about politicians you don't like.

 

[YDR37]

The majority doesn't even need to be veto-proof, since the President already supports the bill, apparently because it is "pro-God".

This site isn't a place to air your grievances about politicians you don't like.

Not trying to add any positive or negative spin here. Just citing the President's stated rationale for his support of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act:

President Trump supports the bill, and told the National Religious Broadcasters during the 2024 campaign, “I will protect the content that is pro-God. To that end, at the request of the NRB, I will do my part to protect AM radio in our cars.”

Some people might accept that reasoning, others might reject it. But either way, that is the reasoning.

 

[AZFox]

Not trying to add any positive or negative spin here, just citing the President's stated rationale for his support of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act:

Cherry-picking that reason (that isn't even the reason) is spin.

The bill aims to ensure public safety by maintaining access to AM radio for emergency alerts, as it serves as a critical communication tool during disasters when other systems may fail. Additionally, it supports diverse programming and information access for various communities, including rural and underserved populations.​

https://www.nab.org/advocacy/issue.asp?id=6719&issueID=1097

 

[YDR37]

Cherry-picking that reason (that isn't even the reason) is spin.

The bill aims to ensure public safety by maintaining access to AM radio for emergency alerts, as it serves as a critical communication tool during disasters when other systems may fail. Additionally, it supports diverse programming and information access for various communities, including rural and underserved populations.​

My post cited multiple reasons for political support of the bill, including "the argument that AM is essential for older Americans, as a conduit for emergency broadcasts and farm reports."

However, it's also true that another reason for political support of the bill is that many faith-based radio stations rely on AM broadcasting. Perhaps you are cherry-picking by citing the position of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), while failing to acknowledge the position of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). The President's reasoning was offered to the latter group.

 

[AZFox]

My post cited multiple reasons for political support of the bill, including "the argument that AM is essential for older Americans, as a conduit for emergency broadcasts and farm reports."

The first sentence of that post is misinformation and spin.

Let it go.

 

[Doug T]

A mandate is not required here. If an owner wants to install an AM radio, there will be many options.

I mentioned this to a friend of mine and his response was: "Back in the day I attached a "transistor radio" to the dash of my old truck that did not have a radio." Worked great.

$10 on Amazon.