Hursh Consulting & Communications Inc.

Why is it that a lot of older AM radios have far better reach than the radios we have now? I run an old Versatile 875 tractor for seeding. When I got the tractor a couple of years ago, I initially thought the radio didn’t work. Well, the buttons no longer tune to stations, you sometimes have to tap the AM/FM button to get a connection and the channel indicator no longer moves, but it turns out that the radio is amazing. I farm in southwest Saskatchewan and the radio can pick up most Saskatchewan AM stations as well as many American channels and channels that originate well into Alberta. Only one of the two speakers seems to work, but the channels come in with amazing clarity. The only issue is that you often have to listen awhile to know what channel you’ve landed on. This tractor is nearly 30 years old. A lot of much newer radios in tractors and combines are not nearly as good. In fact, the radios in new cars and trucks aren’t very good in my opinion. Vehicles might have an expensive sound system and satellite radio, but the reach of the AM radio is average at best. With the amazing electronic technology we have these days, why are modern AM radios inferior? I’m Kevin Hursh.