AM radio going away

I think what is missed from this conversation is the national defense emergency messaging can go nationwide on AM, it’s similar to the irritating squacking noises you hear followed by a muffled pre-recorded guy saying it’s only a test that goes out on radio, tv etc.

The cellular and internet systems are extremely fragile if a nuclear event or invasion were to occur.

This isn’t about the natural disaster communication though it’s strange they don’t use that system much during natural disasters , missed opportunity?

 

If it’s an absolutely necessary emergency communication avenue, you can be sure the government will $h!tcan it eventually

 

Everything is relative. Cellular and internet systems may seem fragile, but... it's big business so they are supported by thousands of active technicians all over the country. AM radio? there's definitely people with the know-how, but not as many of them and the herd is thinning.

If a big thing happens and all services get knocked down and it becomes a race to light them back up again?

The local cable guys & linemen can start fixing stuff right away. The radio station may very well need to fly in their engineer from the corporate sister station in another state because they are spread so thin.

 

The emergency broadcast system can broadcast nationwide on AM even if no radio stations are functioning.

It does piggyback to every station but it doesn’t need to

 

Neat, I'll have to read up on that.

 

I may be wrong, that system was discontinued sometime in the 60’s lol 640am indeed.

Though AM can travel a very long way if you don’t adhere to nighttime power limits