AM is obsolete but you can't beat it for emergency situations, for precisely the reason you describe. In a pinch, anybody with Boy Scout-level electronics knowledge can whip together an emergency radio -- both transmitter and receiver.
It's one of the few things I approve of that the US gov't has done, in that they continue to use dirt-simple, reliable technology for critical things instead of going with the New Shiny every time it shows up. AM isn't pretty and is certainly outdated, but we know how it works inside and out. And not to be overly dramatic about it, but, when the zombie apocalypse/nuclear winter/terrorist invasion/alien menace arrives, we're going to be grateful we still have it.
As for your radio in your car: if your area is anything like mine, then automated traffic warnings, weather notifications, Amber Alerts, and a whole host of other useful info for the traveler on the road is broadcast locally by AM repeaters (AM530 in my area, yours may be different). In addition, a lot of areas -- small towns, for example -- have their own radio station broadcasting on AM, because it's cheaper and they don't have to fight over frequencies like FM bands do.
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs
It's one of the few things I approve of that the US gov't has done, in that they continue to use dirt-simple, reliable technology for critical things instead of going with the New Shiny every time it shows up. AM isn't pretty and is certainly outdated, but we know how it works inside and out. And not to be overly dramatic about it, but, when the zombie apocalypse/nuclear winter/terrorist invasion/alien menace arrives, we're going to be grateful we still have it.
As for your radio in your car: if your area is anything like mine, then automated traffic warnings, weather notifications, Amber Alerts, and a whole host of other useful info for the traveler on the road is broadcast locally by AM repeaters (AM530 in my area, yours may be different). In addition, a lot of areas -- small towns, for example -- have their own radio station broadcasting on AM, because it's cheaper and they don't have to fight over frequencies like FM bands do.
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs