Recently, China has begun drafting a national mandatory standard for the "In-Vehicle Wireless Broadcast Reception System," requiring automakers to include radio functionality in vehicles manufactured for the Chinese market. Interestingly, around the same time, the U.S. government introduced a law mandating automakers to equip every vehicle with AM radio functionality, calling it a chance to correct past mistakes of excluding AM radios from cars.
Why Are Radios Still Necessary?
Many people might wonder: with today's advanced internet, affordable data, and smartphones, why do we still need outdated radios? Who even listens to radio broadcasts anymore?
These questions stem from a lack of understanding about the radio and its unique advantages. True, at home or during our commute, we often rely on Wi-Fi or mobile data to stay informed. Almost no one uses a radio to catch up on the news. However, the importance of radios is comparable to fire safety equipment in a building: rarely used but essential. Radios can save lives by providing critical information during emergencies such as heavy rains, earthquakes, typhoons, or floods, when power and communication networks fail. In such moments, Wi-Fi and mobile data networks collapse, leaving radios as the sole reliable source of information.
For owners of modern electric or hybrid cars, it’s worth checking if your vehicle’s navigation or audio system includes radio functionality. If not, keeping a portable radio in your car is highly recommended to stay informed during emergencies. Unlike mobile networks that can fail, radio signals remain consistently available.
The Difference Between Radios and Mobile Networks
Currently, there are two types of car radios:
- FM (Frequency Modulation): Operating between 87.5 MHz and 108 MHz, with a wavelength of about 3 meters. FM signals are transmitted from towers usually located on city rooftops or mountain peaks, covering a radius of several kilometers.
- AM (Amplitude Modulation): Operating between 531 kHz and 1629 kHz, with a wavelength of around 300 meters. AM signals, transmitted via ionospheric reflection, can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers, especially at night.
In contrast, mobile networks operate differently. Phones rely on two-way communication with nearby cell towers, with limited power output to minimize radiation exposure. This results in a coverage radius of only a few kilometers per tower. Unlike radio towers, mobile base stations require dense networks to ensure reliable coverage. Even in cities, weak signals or dead zones can occur due to insufficient coverage. In contrast, radio signals can blanket entire regions effortlessly, offering unmatched reliability.