AM Radio????

 I grew up listening to (and later working on-air) via AM Radio.

My first job, in 1969, was at WBAB-AM radio in Babylon, Long Island.

My best friends back then drove out from NYC onto "the Island" on one of the first nights I was "On-air" to listen. The station's signal was relatively weak, but the fact that I was actually on-air after years of making believe was fairly amazing.  

The full-power AM stations could cover vast areas of the country (Think WLS Chicago and WABC, New York) But AM was long ago overtaken by FM, mostly because of the better sound quality on the latter. And now I don't remember the last time I listened to an AM radio station.

There is a movement by the broadcasters' associations to "save AM".

Here's their message:

Your participation in NAB’s #DependonAM campaign has led to listeners sending more than 578,000 emails and 83,000 tweets to Congress, urging them to support legislation that ensures AM radio remains in cars.

Now that Congress is back in session, let's make sure the pressure is on.

Keep airing NAB’s #DependOnAM radio spots, available in English and Spanish, to continue engaging listeners in the campaign.

More than 80 million Americans depend on AM radio and removing it from vehicles is a dire public safety risk. The spots ask listeners to contact their members of Congress by texting AM to 52886, telling them to support the AM For Every Vehicle Act.

 

BOTH of Alabama's Republican U.S. Senators are co-sponsoring the legislation!

The U.S. House legislation has only recently been introduced.

 

By the way, here's my promotional idea for the campaign. Use the slogan "I'm with the (AM) band" on T-shirts etc, with a graphic of the AM Radio dial. You're welcome!