Debate Reopens Over AM Radio's Future In Cars

The future of AM radio will be taking center stage among United States lawmakers starting on 30th April 2024. The Energy & Commerce Committee of the US House of Representatives will begin a hearing on the language needed to fine-tune the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024.

With the increased popularity of other listening modes in motor vehicles in the US, AM radio has been seen by many, including some automakers, as optional in new cars Those who seek to preserve its inclusion for drivers stress AM radio's vital and longstanding role in transmitting emergency alerts to the public over the airwaves. Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, has called AM radio the backbone of the nation's Emergency Alert System. The proposed legislation would require the Secretary of Transportation to mandate access to AM broadcast radio in all vehicles.

The bill has enough support in the House of Representatives for it to be passed by that chamber.

Last December, Senate supporters tried to pass a similar bill by a procedure known as unanimous consent but that attempt failed.

Amateur Radio Saves Family in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is in a remote desert in southern California, where mobile phone networks are spotty at best. On Saturday 6 April 2024, a radio amateur and his family were enjoying the park when their vehicle became stuck in mud in a dangerous area. Without access to a cell network, the ham called for help on the 10-meter band.

According to a news release from the Black Swamp Amateur Radio Club, Caleb Gustwiller, KD8TGB, jumped into action.

“Without Caleb hearing this distress call, it could have quickly become a very deadly situation for the operator and his family.”

— Facebook Quote

Gustwiller was monitoring from Ohio when he picked up the distress call. He was able to hear the call sign and the general location of the ham in distress. He lost the signal to the noise, so he wrote a post in the Parks on the Air® Facebook group asking for other hams to listen for the calls.

Several hams contacted emergency officials in southern California, which led to the ham and their family being rescued within a few hours by park rangers.

ARRL Story - https://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-saves-family-in-death-valley-national-park

NASA confirms ISS debris hit Florida home

NASA has confirmed the claims of a Florida homeowner who said his house was struck by debris from the International Space Station which had jettisoned old batteries. The space agency came to that conclusion after examining it at Kennedy Space Center where it had been taken after the damage was discovered on March 8th. According to various news reports, the homeowner had been away at the time but discovered that part of the ceiling and floor had been damaged.

No one was reported injured.