[thewebcount]

I have no preference either way to keep or get rid of AM radio, but I have to wonder, do people under 30 even know what AM radio is or how to tune into it? Just like with manual transmissions and cursive writing, it's probably something they've never had any need to do. Does it help in an emergency if you not only don't know how to do it, but also don't know to do it. I was born in the 70s and listened to plenty of AM radio, but for the last 30+ years AM radio has basically meant "low quality far right talk and religious programming maybe with some country music on the side." I haven't even thought of turning on AM radio in literally decades.

[alocasia-1]

I often see signs instructing to tune to whatever AM for weather info, so I don't think it's that far fetched. Kids learning to read ask questions about stuff they see.

And FWIW, I was in line for a drive thru PCR covid test in late 2020 at a fair ground and they were broadcasting the instructions on an AM station, informing us by sign to tune in.

[galleywest200]

In my state (Washington) we have signs over most of the coastal highways and mountain passes saying "tune to XXXX AM when lights are flashing". So I am certain under 30's in Washington State know this.

[joker_minmax]

Where I live, the women's sports is on the AM radio when men's is on the FM band owned by the same station. There's also a BBC World Service mirror on AM. There's also a lot of non-English AM radio in the city I grew up in. I am under 30 and have used AM for these purposes quite often. Like a stone with lots of life underneath - just because something looks unused on the surface doesn't mean there isn't a bustling community.

[nkotov]

I turned on AM during a cross country road trip. It was fun exploring for an hour before switching back to bluetooth.