Tag Archives: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act

Radio Waves: Czech Radio Warning System and AM Radio Act Passes Congress (Now To Senate)

Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia and Dennis Dura for the following tips:

Czech Radio testing new radio warning system for emergencies (Radio Prague International)

National public broadcaster Czech Radio is testing a new system designed to warn the public of emergencies through radio broadcasting. The technology will eventually allow listeners to be alerted quickly about events such as floods, fires or power outages with immediate advice regarding what to do.

Czech Radio carried out a nationwide test of the technology last week on both conventional radio receivers and a number of DAB+ digital radios.

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The AM Radio Act Finally Gets Its Vote (NRB)

After more than three years of advocacy, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979) is getting a vote on the House floor during the week of September 14.

I do not say that lightly. This is the moment NRB, our members, and our coalition partners have been working toward since several automakers began dropping AM receivers from new vehicles.

I want to be clear about something as we head into this vote: This is not just an AM story. It is a radio story and a broadcast media story with stakes that reach well beyond the dashboard. Congress is not simply deciding whether AM radio stays in cars; it is deciding whether free, local, over-the-air broadcasting will retain its place on the automobile dashboard or be quietly engineered out — one cost-cutting decision at a time.

I believe H.R. 979 will pass overwhelmingly. When it does, the bill will direct the Department of Transportation to require that new passenger vehicles include access to AM broadcasting at no additional cost to consumers and that AM remains easy to find on the automobile dashboard.

For NRB members, this is not an abstract issue. It is personal.

[Continue reading…]

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AM Innovation and Radio’s Reach in EVs

3 Replies

Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares the following two articles that may be of interest to readers:

The first, from Radio World, highlights a new broadband AM antenna system designed for the upper end of the mediumwave band. The compact design promises easier installation, lower infrastructure requirements, and could offer broadcasters a practical solution where traditional AM tower installations are impractical or prohibitively expensive:
https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/new-antenna-for-upper-am-band-nears-readiness

Dennis also points to a recent Westwood One analysis examining the listening habits of Tesla drivers. Despite Tesla’s increasingly streaming-focused infotainment systems, the data suggests AM/FM radio remains the dominant source of ad-supported in-car audio among Tesla owners:
https://www.westwoodone.com/blog/2026/06/29/reach-future-tesla-buyers-on-am-fm-radio-the-medium-tesla-drivers-listen-to-most/

How Removing AM and FM from Cars Impacts the 12-Volt Ecosystem

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Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this CE Outlook article examining the trend of major automakers removing AM/FM radios from new vehicles and what it means for the 12-volt ecosystem. With AM/FM being increasingly omitted in favor of digital monthly subscriptions and mobile-connected audio services, this article explores the implications for listeners, aftermarket options, and the broader impact on radio accessibility in cars. Read more here: https://www.ceoutlook.com/2026/01/15/car-makers-remove-am-fm-what-it-means-for-12-volt/

2026 Tesla Standard Model Y and Model 3 trims will eliminate AM and FM tuners

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis?Dura for sharing this article from Radio?World, which reveals that Tesla will eliminate AM and FM tuners from its 2026 Standard Model Y and Model 3 trims—a move the National?Association?of?Broadcasters calls a “disservice to millions of drivers” who rely on broadcast radio for news, community and emergency alerts.

You can read the full article at Radio World by clicking here.

House Committee Backs AM Radio Bill with Strong Bipartisan Support

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Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares news via Radio World that the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979) has cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support (50-1). If passed, the bill would require automakers to include free, easily accessible AM radio receivers in all new vehicles, including EVs, for at least the next eight years. Lawmakers emphasized the ongoing importance of AM radio for emergency alerts, public safety, and reliable communication. You can read the full article here: House Committee Advances AM Radio Bill – Radio World.

Senate Report Flags Public Safety Risks in Removing AM Radios

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Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

A recent Radio World article summarizes a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee report raising concerns about the removal of AM radio from new vehicles. The report highlights AM radio’s role in national emergency alert systems and notes its low cost to manufacturers. It recommends Congress consider legislation to ensure AM capability remains standard in future vehicles.

Click here to read the Radio World article.