The Source newsletter

October 2025 – AM Radio Engineers Issue

Publisher: Information Station Specialists

Bill Requiring AM Radio in Cars Rolls Forward

Bipartisan Consensus Emerges:
AM Band Constitutes an
Irreplaceable Safety Net

WASHINGTON, DC – The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted Wednesday September 17th to move the “AM In Every Vehicle Act” one step closer to full House approval. The vote was 50 yea and only 1 nay. Under the legislation, automakers would be required to provide AM receivers in all cars or potentially face fines.

“AM radio remains an essential lifeline”
…Curtis LeGeyt
National Association of Broadcasters’ President

The bill’s popularity “demonstrates a deep understanding that AM radio remains an essential lifeline for emergency alerts, local news and community connection,” according to National Association of Broadcasters’ President Curtis LeGeyt. High profile groups including the National Emergency Management Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Native Public Media, AARP, and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters are voicing their support as well. The Senate’s version of the bill (S. 315) cleared committee already and its list of supporters is 61. The decision on whether and when to bring it up for a vote remains with Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), not one of the backers of the bill. The House version of the bill (H. R. 979) currently has the support of 297 members—well above the 218 threshold required.

The proposed legislation continues to grow in bipartisan support with lawmakers back from their districts after meetings with constituents. Since September 1, new reps onboard include Patrick Ryan (D-NY), Nicholas Begich (R-AK), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Robert Onder (R-MO), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Russ Fulcher (R-IN), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Adam Smith (D-WA), Barry Moore (R-AL), Herbert Conaway (D-NJ), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), George Latimer (D-NY), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Morgan Griffith (R-VA).

You can show your support to lawmakers here.

Coming Soon: Documentary Details Importance of AM in Automobiles

In August, Information Station Specialist’s Bill Baker sat down with a documentary crew for the production “Wavelength” to talk about the crucial need to keep AM radio accessible to everyone. The Source will have more on this production in the near future.

2025 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, South Dakota

Radio: Very Much at Home on the Range

South Dakota Governor Rhoden Rode in the Buffalo Roundup
and Greeted Bison Faithful On-Air

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden (right) and Game, Fish & Parks Secy Kevin Robling (left) speak at the press conference that followed the Roundup.

CUSTER, SD – Information Station Specialists lit up a portable EventCAST Radio System at the 60th annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup on September 26th. State officials provided the service to better inform the stampede of attendees that crowd into Southwest South Dakota each September to view the Western classic.

Imagine 30,000 visitors navigating two-lane roads in the early morning hours to a pair of parking lots on the prairie, all to view a spectacle that begins at dawn and is done by dinnertime. The service provided information about parking, traffic, departure timing and event activities, all calibrated to minimize wait times as spectators filed into and out of the lots.

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden was among the participants this year, and even lent his voice to some of the broadcast messages. The service on 1700 AM also featured minute-to-minute live description and commentary by South Dakota Public Broadcast announcers and guests, as well as a live news conference that included Governor, the Superintendent of Game Fish & Parks and the park manager.

Did it go off without a hitch? No. Before the day even got started the EventCAST antenna was toppled mysteriously. Park personnel surmise that it may have been a belligerent bison telling the world that he did not care for AM radio? Thankfully it was all up and running by 4 am for the opening.

In the past the Roundup event has produced some pretty gnarly traffic jams, but this year the State employed EventCAST to help herd the two-legged attendees in and out safely. Hear Governor Rhoden's roundup broadcast message.

1KW AM Antenna
Tests Are Underway

New "Magnum K1" 1000-Watt Stick Departs
Drawing Board, Begins Field Tests

Photo by Bill Baker

ZEELAND, MI – It may actually become a reality: When Information Station Specialists added a 250-watt entry to its line of low power AM antennas, many owners of Class B, C and D AM stations responded, “So, when is the 1000-watt version coming out?” The additional wattage would allow many stations to move their fulltime licenses to more cost-effective antenna sites when required. Tests are underway in Michigan at this time, and we will keep you in touch with progress at The Source.

Dare we say, “Stay tuned?”

"Boston Pirates" Lose Big

BOSTON, MA – The Pirates are in Pittsburgh, right? It depends on what you mean. “Radio pirates,” individuals who broadcast illegally without a FCC license, have been popping up on the AM dial for decades.

Recently, the FCC has found a fresh faced skallywag in the Boston area, squatting on two AM frequencies – 1620 and 1640 – and issued him a weighty fine of $60,000. The FCC states that the operator’s unauthorized broadcasts “significantly increased the likelihood of interference to lawfully operating stations.”

The signal on AM 1620 was located by FCC direction finders in Mattapan, MA, while the 1640 AM was found operating in Brockton, MA – both broadcasting a program originating from “Radio Energy Boston.”

Will the operator be required to walk the plank? No, but he does have a 30-day notice to pay up. As an inducement, the Commission could impose an additional fine of $122,661 for every day of illegal broadcasting. Since this pirate has been on the air since 2022, $60,000 might suddenly appear a mere pittance.

Information Radio Stations is a generic term synonymous with Travelers Information Stations (TIS), Highway Advisory Radio Stations (HAR) / Highway Information Systems & Low Power Radio Stations (LPR). Operation of the stations is governed by FCC Part 90.242 Rules. A FCC license is required. Information Radio Stations may be fixed or portable. Subcomponents may include transmitter, antenna and ground system, digital voice player, wattmeter, cabinet with conventional or Corbin locks, lightning arrestors for RF, power and telephone lines, coaxial cable. Most stations employ black maximized antennas to discourage ice accumulation and security measures to prevent unauthorized program access. Options include synchronization, battery backup, solar power, remote programming by local, network or telco, multi-station audio distribution via RF or LAN / WAN or wireless network.