It doesn’t have to be a big emergency, FM can still be very useful. A few years ago there was an earthquake in my city that wasn’t too big but we still had to evacuate the building. I don’t remember any damage in my area but because everyone was trying to make calls there was ZERO cell service. So a bunch of people were gathered around my phone listening to a news station for updates because I was the only one who had brought headphones. Without FM this ability is now lost.
Better would be to have an emergency radio receiver with alternate power (e.g., a hand crank), and save your phone battery for outgoing emergency calls.
And when the internet goes out during a hurricane? Thats a thing
I’d rather a wind up radio for emergencies as opposed to wasting the battery life on the one thing I can use to call for emergency services.
Edit: also, who uses FM in emergencies. You want AM radio for that.
It doesn’t have to be a big emergency, FM can still be very useful. A few years ago there was an earthquake in my city that wasn’t too big but we still had to evacuate the building. I don’t remember any damage in my area but because everyone was trying to make calls there was ZERO cell service. So a bunch of people were gathered around my phone listening to a news station for updates because I was the only one who had brought headphones. Without FM this ability is now lost.
You are right, depending on the emergency AM is a better choice. Many people have phones, few have crank radios.
Better would be to have an emergency radio receiver with alternate power (e.g., a hand crank), and save your phone battery for outgoing emergency calls.