My first job in radio was as an intern at KGIL-AM in Los Angeles. I really wanted to work at KLOS, but they would have had me filing albums. (For you youngins, we use to actually spin records back in the day 😆.) It was a smart move, learning to actually write news for broadcast, produce talk radio and learn about sharing with the community. Anyone remember Dick Whittington, Stan Bohrman, or Charlie Tuna?

Yes FM radio is for sharing with community members too, but AM radio is where it was at! And now one of the only ways many in rural (or even isolated) areas can still receive information.

According to the latest issue of Radio Ink (subscription), AM radio is the primary source of information in rural areas, and they are fighting to keep it afloat, which could actually save a life…

There’s a movement afoot to keep AM radio for communities who want and need information, not only in vehicles, but as a vehicle of information in and of itself.

The magazine reports delegates from the American Farm Bureau recently voted at their annual meeting to preserve access to AM radio in vehicles. it’s not like we can drive around with an old transistor radio in our Tractor now can we?

Don’t forget, many folks in these areas still have no access to broadband service and no or weak cell service too. So radio, yes radio, is a vital source of weather, recent catastrophic event coverage and good ol’ local-community news.

Radio can also operate on a battery or solar. So during a power outage, you can still tune right in and find out what is happening in your community with the turn of a dial.

Hurray for AM! And, Hurray for Radio!