A Ham Radio Conspiracy Theory! Update June 27, 2023
An impact to Ham Radio Mobile Operation!
Update 6-27-2023. Good Luck Waltine Nauta in your indictment hearing. Waltine, you can only hope you are not left holding the bag (of crap).
Based on some info from a blog reader whose sandbox involves issues like the AM radio removal the following is offered:
- The AM Radio availability is part of our national defense -- you know Conelrad. Now known as the EMB. (Emergency Broadcast System)
- The issue is more from the EV to the AM radio. The DC Motors used in the EV's are like having a 1KW Spark Gap transmitter sitting on top of the radio. The fix is so expensive that the manufacturers say just eliminate it.
- The MAGA Lawyers argued having the AM radios removed impinges on their 1st Amendment rights to hear the Trump Talk from the conservative AM Talk Shows.
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As quoted from a conversation heard twice removed from a slightly soused (inebriated) ham on 75 meters with a 4 call. It seems like VW, BMW, Tesla, and Rivian will no longer include AM radios in their electric vehicles.
The rationale is an interference problem. It was not entirely clear that it was the AM radio signals to the car electronics or the car electronics to the AM signals.
This "red state" ham concluded that the "blue" states would outlaw ham radio mobile operation with the excuse that ham radios would overtake the electric cars control systems.
Even worse, the MAGA political strategists see this as a blow to their messaging as many conservative talk radio stations are on AM. You can't Twitter/ Facebook as you drive but sure can listen to victim Trump on the AM radio.
GM it was reported has not taken a position because their pickup truck business (a main MAGA transportation staple) could really suffer especially if Ford and Dodge RAM would continue to supply AM Radios in their trucks.
The goal to clean up the environment has come home to impact Ham Radio Mobile Operation.
Mind you this has not been independently verified but if true, potentially could represent another incursion into our hobby.
Now one might ask is the ARRL seeing this as a marketing opportunity for a whole new crop of advanced technology (and very expensive) radios that are electric vehicle user friendly? The offshore far east radio manufacturers might also see this as an opportunity for hams to underwrite the R&D to get AM radio back into the electric vehicles.
Warning this could be another unfounded made-up conspiracy theory much like a cruel April Fool joke.
73's
Pete N6QW
