In this letter to the editor, the author comments on Radio World’s ongoing coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio service. Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email [email protected].
Hello: I have been reading about the under-usage of NOAA Weather Radio which is a very good service. I also keep tabs on the controversy of the viability of AM broadcast radio and whether the service is still useful and if people still listen on its frequencies.
Five years ago if you asked me if AM radio was still useful and should be kept in cars, I would have said no. The younger generation is not listening to that medium at all and maybe is not aware of its existence. FM radio and internet streaming is how the younger generation is listening.
With all the talk of removing AM radio from motor vehicles, I would recommend that reception of NOAA Weather Radio be enabled in all vehicles to take the place of AM broadcast reception.
NOAA Weather Radio is the direct link to the National Weather Service with its alerts that can be understood easily. It would not cost very much more and all the VHF transmissions would not be subject to the noise now heard on the AM broadcast band.
The only one thing that concerns me is the future of NOAA Weather Radio. The federal government is on a streak eliminating many services that were taken for granted just a few years ago.
What is to stop federal cost cutters from eliminating the NOAA Weather Radio service?
Eliminating the NOAA Weather Radio service would be a big mistake as it removes another path of emergency information for the general public. This would be sad and dangerous to allow the discontinuation of this service.
Leave it be!
— Dan Ramos
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