FARGO (KFGO) – The move by the auto industry to eliminate AM radio from electric, and even gas-powered vehicles, is running up against opposition in congress.
A bi-partisan group of senators is sponsoring legislation to stop it, citing the importance of AM in rural parts of the country, and in emergencies.
KFGO News and Views host Joel Heitkamp argued in support of keeping AM in new vehicles during a live interview with host Marni Hughes on the Chicago-based “News Nation.”
“Here at the Mighty 790, we’ve always had a faithful and loyal audience, but we really do as soon as you hear a tornado siren, as soon as you see the river rising and potentially flooding the communities,” Heitkamp said when asked about the the importance of AM radio in rural areas. “It’s that important. It is the go-to station.”
Hughes asked Heitkamp about the many alternatives to AM radio, and the idea that AM just isn’t as popular as it once was.
“In this market, and others, we are number one, and there’s over 20 stations – most of them FM,” Heitkamp said. “We’re the number one-rated show by far, and station by far. People listen to AM radio if it’s good AM.”
KFGO, unlike most other AM stations, simulcasts our programming on a full-power, 100,000-watt FM signal, 104-7.
Professional broadcast organizations from around the country are also working to keep the AM band in new cars and trucks.
