{"id":43043,"date":"2020-04-29T07:53:31","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T11:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=43043"},"modified":"2020-04-29T07:53:31","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T11:53:31","slug":"radio-waves-am-fm-in-teslas-odd-crosleys-cw-club-membership-on-the-rise-and-2020-contest-university-is-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/radio-waves-am-fm-in-teslas-odd-crosleys-cw-club-membership-on-the-rise-and-2020-contest-university-is-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Radio Waves: AM\/FM in Teslas, Odd Crosleys, CW Club Membership on the Rise, and 2020 Contest University is Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio<\/h2>\n

Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s<\/em> Radio Waves<\/em>, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0<\/strong>Enjoy!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em> contributors Kim Elliott, Dave Anderson, and Paul Evans for the following tips:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cInfotainment Systems\u201d In Cars Portend Safety, Privacy, And Competition Issues (Forbes)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Almost all new cars include so-called \u201cinfotainment systems,\u201d which provide navigation and various sources for music and news. Most companies have begun to outsource these systems to the Silicon Valley mainstays such as Apple, Amazon, and Google. The electric car manufacturer Tesla, however, has developed its own infotainment system that is far more integrated with the car itself.<\/p>\n

Tesla recently announced an \u201cupgrade,\u201d which would allow users to watch Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube (when the car is parked). This innovation has a flip side: it removes AM \/ FM radio capabilities. Tesla and other electric car manufacturers claim they have removed AM radio in many of their models due to concerns over interference. But Tesla\u2019s announcement is peculiar because electric engines do not interfere with FM radio reception.<\/p>\n

Former FEMA director Brock Long worries that Tesla\u2019s decision could prevent the government from transmitting crucial information in emergencies. Long\u2019s concerns are valid, particularly in a crisis like the ongoing pandemic, when broad communication with the public is necessary to protect national security. AM\/FM radio reach places that television and broadband do not, and that is why the government has invested tens of millions of dollars to ensure radio stations can remain on the air during periods of widespread threat to the public \u2013 including the current one. As the coronavirus reminds us, our nation still has public safety needs that no amount of technical wizardry can obviate.<\/p>\n

The public safety concerns are real, but Tesla decision to remove AM\/FM radio also raise the perennial tech issues of privacy and competition.<\/p>\n

Tesla has contracts with tech companies such as Spotify and Pandora, many of which are pay services. These tech companies are no doubt pleased that Tesla is contemplating taking out AM\/FM radio, which is still the most listened to audio platform\u2014and constitutes meaningful competition. However, these conflicting interests creates mismatched incentives for Tesla.<\/p>\n

Because Tesla\u2019s market share is small, and the upgrade is optional, this conduct likely does not rise to anything close to an antitrust violation. However, the vertically integrated model which Tesla is following raises the same type of concerns as when Big Tech firms pick and choose what apps and services customers can favor. If Google, Apple, and Amazon, which have their own podcast and streaming audio services, begin to demand that auto manufacturers carry their services exclusively, then more serious competition problems will arise.[…<\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Odd Crosley Radios from the 1920s (Hackaday)<\/a><\/h3>\n

You may sometimes see the Crosley name today on cheap record players, but from what we can tell that company isn\u2019t connected with the Crosley Radio company that was a powerhouse in the field from 1921 to 1956. [Uniservo]\u00a0looks at two of the very early entries from Crosley<\/a>: the model VIII and the XJ. You can see the video of both radios, below.<\/p>\n

The company started by making car parts but grew rapidly and entered the radio business very successfully in 1921. We can only imagine what a non-technical person thought of these radios with all the knobs and switches, for some it must have been very intimidating.<\/p>\n

The model VIII had two large knobs, three small knobs, and a switch. Oddly enough there were very few markings on the knobs, as you were expected to know how to use a tuned RF radio. The large knobs were for tuning capacitors and the switch was for coil taps, while the three small knobs controlled the tube filament supplies.[…<\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Increase in CW Club membership (G4BKI.com)<\/h3>\n

The rate at which amateurs are joining CW clubs has gone through the roof with ‘lockdown’.<\/p>\n

The fastest growing club (SKCC) has tripled its daily new members rate and is now increasing by 14-15 per day. Information and files can be found at: http:\/\/www.g4bki.com\/club_call_history.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Contest University 2020 will be held online free via Zoom (Contest University)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Contest University 2020 will be held online free via Zoom (Link will be available on May 7th)<\/p>\n

Thursday, May 14th 9:00 am EDT<\/p>\n

CTU 2020 outline is available on the 2020 Course Outline Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Click here to read more information.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,56,545,3,4796],"tags":[8477,3662,1384,2699,3354,1664,7864,8259],"class_list":["post-43043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-broadcasters","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-vintage-radio","tag-contest-university","tag-crosley","tag-fm-radio","tag-forbes","tag-hackaday","tag-kim-elliott","tag-paul-evans-w4-vp9kf","tag-radio-waves"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-bcf","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":43264,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/radio-waves-fcc-wipes-out-engineering-division-last-nazi-message-decoded-remembering-ronan-orahilly-and-french-radio-society-free-publications\/","url_meta":{"origin":43043,"position":0},"title":"Radio Waves: FCC Wipes Out Engineering Division, Last Nazi Message Decoded, Remembering Ronan O’Rahilly, and French Radio Society Free Publications","author":"Thomas","date":"May 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Tecsun-S-2000-Dial-1024x679.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Tecsun-S-2000-Dial-1024x679.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Tecsun-S-2000-Dial-1024x679.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61996,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/radio-waves-new-ssb-swl-contest-drm-functionality-recommendations-and-word-dab-summit-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":43043,"position":1},"title":"Radio Waves: New SSB SWL Contest, DRM Functionality Recommendations, and Word DAB Summit 2024","author":"Thomas","date":"February 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia, Alan, and Frank (SWL F14368) for the following tips: SSB DXCC SWL\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Contests"","block_context":{"text":"Contests","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/contests\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-LRA36.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-LRA36.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-LRA36.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-LRA36.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-LRA36.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41622,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/radio-waves-iheart-layoffs-%e2%80%a2-radio-jk-fm-%e2%80%a2-2nd-chance-for-pirates-%e2%80%a2-invisible-war\/","url_meta":{"origin":43043,"position":2},"title":"Radio Waves: iHeart Layoffs \u2022 Radio JK FM \u2022 2nd Chance for Pirates \u2022 Invisible War","author":"Thomas","date":"January 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio\u00a0 Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest SWLing Post readers.\u00a0 To that end: Welcome to the SWLing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dial-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dial-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dial-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42647,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/radio-waves-new-fcc-rf-exposure-limits-rediscovering-spark-gap-zoom-vulnerabilities-and-extremely-rare-film-of-mi6-section-viii\/","url_meta":{"origin":43043,"position":3},"title":"Radio Waves: New FCC RF Exposure Limits, Rediscovering Spark Gap, Zoom Vulnerabilities, and Extremely Rare Film of MI6 Section VIII","author":"Thomas","date":"April 5, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/RCA-Vintage-Dial-1024x732.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/RCA-Vintage-Dial-1024x732.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/RCA-Vintage-Dial-1024x732.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":65427,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/radio-waves-origins-of-pris-the-world-hona-ghazza-and-vatican-radio-at-95\/","url_meta":{"origin":43043,"position":4},"title":"Radio Waves: Origins of PRI’s The World, Hona Ghazza, and Vatican Radio at 95","author":"Thomas","date":"February 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! 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