Did you know that many of the latest vehicles no longer have AM radio? (Some manufacturers claim that components in EVs interfere with the frequency.) But, as Ashley Stimpson reports for Popular Mechanics, the oldest broadcasting method is a critical lifeline for underserved, mostly rural areas of America, one that is at odds with manufacturers’ desire to partner with lucrative subscription-based audio services for their cars.
It was only when the station’s internet and cell service was restored late Saturday night did Starling learn that Helene had washed entire towns off the map, causing hundreds of fatalities and leaving behind billions of dollars in damage. But he also found out that many in western North Carolina had ridden the storm out in their cars, dials tuned to 570 AM, listening to his voice.
“It was pretty incredible,” Starling says. “In the midst of the storm, we rediscovered the power of AM radio.”
More picks about history
Odd Birds
“In an era where gender identity and sexual orientation can get you a beating by bullies or shot dead in a nightclub, writer Shane Mitchell celebrates otherness — and a great-aunt who lived her life with courage and gusto.”
Dark Ride to the Source
“Holding on to Joy at Disneyland.”
To Steal a Whale Bone
“There’s something about the thrill of discovery that can make a person believe what they’ve found is theirs now—to claim, to guard, to name.”
