A popular bill will force car companies to put AM radios in vehicles at no extra charge, despite decreasing interest from drivers and potential electromagnetic interference.
Alternatively, since most modern day vehicles come with satellite radio standard, they could just make it a requirement that satellite radio broadcasts emergency messages on their preview channel during an emergency.
The issue is many emergency broadcasts will have location specific information, while satellite will be the same message nationwide.
But it’s still a dumb mandate. Not everyone has cars. I keep an emergency radio (which also receives weather and several short wave bands) for emergencies.
Satellite can target a region. The satellite TV providers do just that.
It might not be local down to the city level, but it can be focused down to an area that still makes it relevant.
Satellite TV uses spot beams for local TV. Satellite radio I do not believe is equipped with such localized spot beams. The do have some local traffic, but I think they are all broadcast nationwide.
Alternatively, since most modern day vehicles come with satellite radio standard, they could just make it a requirement that satellite radio broadcasts emergency messages on their preview channel during an emergency.
I’ve heard worse ideas.
The issue is many emergency broadcasts will have location specific information, while satellite will be the same message nationwide.
But it’s still a dumb mandate. Not everyone has cars. I keep an emergency radio (which also receives weather and several short wave bands) for emergencies.
Satellite can target a region. The satellite TV providers do just that. It might not be local down to the city level, but it can be focused down to an area that still makes it relevant.
Satellite TV uses spot beams for local TV. Satellite radio I do not believe is equipped with such localized spot beams. The do have some local traffic, but I think they are all broadcast nationwide.