Radio age (Jan-Dec 1926)

RADIO AGE for October, 1926 The Magazine of the Hour Broadcasting and the U.S. Navy By Lieut. Comdr. Alfred P. H. Tawresey TO many people the advent of broadcasting about five years ago marks the beginning of radio history. They know vaguely that radio telegraphy was used prior to that time for sending distress messages from ships, but relatively few know the large part played by radio in the conduct of the world's business, even prior to the World War. The United States Government as a Whole became interested in radio in 1904. At that time none but government departments could risk the outlay necessary to develop and maintain what was then an untried and uncertain means of communication. The first administrative policy in regard to radio was drawn up in 1904, and was approved by President Roosevelt. Advances in the art and changed conditions, including broadcasting, aircraft communication, radio beacon, and the radio direction finder, made it imperative to revise the administrative policy with regard to the use of radio by the government. In 1925 a committee of representatives of all the government departments and several independent government agencies drew up a tentative statement of government domestic radio policy. One important feature of this statement, carried forward in principle from the earlier draft of 1904, is as follows: "The government's interest in radio communication is paramount for national defense. The U. S. Navy battleship showing various radio antennas, each for a separate transmitter government is charged tvith the regulation of radio communication as a means for rendering a public service. The government uses radio communication in the administration of its business." National Defense NATIONAL defense is similar in some respects to a conflagration and the forces of national defense to a fire department. In training for the purpose for which they exist both fire departments and national defense forces require constant exercise with their special equipment, for which they must enjoy special privileges on the common highways. When quelling a fire or subduing an enemy they must enjoy undisputed sway over such portion of the common way as they need. The ordinary citizen demands of radio merely that he be able to send a message from "A" to "B" and receive a reply in a" reasonable time, or the ability to listen simultaneously with countless others to broadcast program. Naval communication requires in addition to these ordinary demands, rapid, reliable, accurate and often secret communication between large numbers of correspondents in restricted areas, simultaneously with that at extreme distances and against deliberate enemy interference. Some do not appreciate that broadcasting, the newest form of public service to enter the radio field, entered a field already congested. It has been provided for by readjusting the frequency channels, and even the types rf equipment, used by the older services. These readjustments have been difficult and costly and in many cases have entailed serious derangement of established service. The band of frequencies relinquished to the exclusive use of broadcasting is the one band which can be covered efficiently by a simply constructed receiver. Frequencies below it (wavelengths above it) require more expensive apparatus of greater weight and occupying more space. Frequencies above it are difficult to handle and are uncertain and erratic. Ships, aircraft, and extremely isolated points on shore should have preference in the use of radio facilities over communities already well supplied with cables, wires, telephones, newspapers and other means of communication. Such radio communication as forms the sole dependence for the safety of human life, or the sole means of conducting the world's essential business should have rights superior to that which exists solely for entertainment, individual profit, or other private purpose which could be achieved by other means.