International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

Ten The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER February, 1934 TELEVISION HAT Don Lee television images may be received in any part of California was demonstrated in a series of experiments in Alameda, January 5th and 6th, when television images from the Don Lee television station W6XS at Los Angeles were shown to a group of San Francisco Bay district university professors and radio authorities by the engineers of the Don Lee Broadcasting System. Not only were close-ups received, but outdoor scenes and boxing bouts from Paramount features and shorts were shown and identified. Commenting upon the reception, Dr. Lester E. Reukema, professor of electrical engineering, at the University of California, Berkeley, said, regarding a close-up of a motion picture star : "One could readily see the movement of her head, causing a slight waving of the pendant earrings she wore, and could see her lips move as she spoke. In the picture Madison Square Garden,' the bodies of the boxers in trunks could be clearly seen at times, also the footwork, striking of blows, the boxing gloves, dodging of blows, etc. Considering the distance covered, approximately 350 miles air-line, I was surprised that the fading was not more severe." Corroborating his colleague, Instructor Leonard J. Black of the University of California, said: "The features, at times, were very distinct. Detail was good. It was easy to notice such things as her ear-rings swinging and that she was talking." The images were also witnessed by Frank C. Jones, prominent radio consultant, who designed the ultra-shortwave radio telephones now being used for communication in the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, and who spent several months in television testing and design work in Chicago. Mr. Jones said: "Among the scenes were those of yell leaders in a stadium leading cheers for a rooting section. The action and pictures of the yell leaders were quite good. In a Paramount short of "Over the Jumps," I saw some scenes of small outboard motorboat races where the boats and the waves in the wake of the boats were quite good. The pictures were much better than I expected to view over such a distance." In commenting upon the experimental work success fully concluded in Alameda last week, Harry R. Lubcke, director of television for the Don Lee Broadcasting System, said : "This reception, as well as reports from many short-wave listeners who chance upon the signal and listen to the voice of announcers, establishes the fact that our television service is state-wide. It is available to anyone who will erect a good aerial and purchase or construct the necessary equipment." Several receiving locations were tested. One, in the San Francisco business district, was characterized by low signal strength and interference from radio stations within the block. Another, on Twin Peaks, gave excellent images when first tested, but soon became worthless because of a "power leak." The first reception was made in rainy weather. As the location dried out, however, the power leak developed, making any type of radio reception impossible. A power leak is caused by defective insulators, pole line bonding, or other power equipment partially breaking down with a spark discharge, and is well known for its damaging effects on radio reception by amateurs and short wave listeners. The Alameda location was in a typical residential section, and with a 125 foot antenna 45 feet high at its far end and sloping down to the chimney of a modern stucco bungalow gave excellent signals over the total time tested. Based on that location, any antenna 75 feet or more long and 35 feet or more high will give sufficiently strong signals for good television reception at a distance of 350 miles from the transmitter. A test with the same equipment on the same images, at a distance of 3y2 miles from the Los Angeles transmitter showed that the images at 350 miles are of as good quality as those received locally, which was surprising. Of course, fading caused the distant image to grow dim periodically, but the comparative infrequency of this phenomena brought forth comment from Dr. Reukema, as given above, who spoke for the whole group in this respect. The Don Lee Stations, W6XS, 2800 kilocycles (107 meters), and W6XAO, 44,500 kilocycles (6^4 meters), broadcast full length Paramount feature pictures, Paramount shorts and Pathe Newsreels each evening except Sunday, from 7 to 9 o'clock, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 to 1 1 a. m. Instructions for the construction of a television receiver can be secured by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Television Department of the Don Lee Broadcasting System, Los Angeles. A WEE BITO' FILM Lama Oakley Moure A wee bit of film, so sensitive and shy, Was exposed one day to the camera's eye. The camera smirked in a style not new And said: "My dear, I can see through you." So he winks his shutter And he grinds his wheels, And he purrs and purrs 'Till the poor film reels. She, never having been exposed before, Turned dark with horror and began to deplore The fate of a maid so sensitive and shy Who could be exposed to anyone's eye. When, plop! into a bath she fell. And squirmed and wriggled and then — oh, well, Out she came all sparkling and bright In colors so gay she was quite a delight. She glanced around seeking some protector, Then leaped to the arms of the film projector. There she turned in the light so clear. Never once thinking of the camera's leer Or the things he said as he winked his eye At the timorous maid so sensitive and shy. For now she shines, of the films a queen, Fully developed for the silver screen. 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