Television digest with AM-FM reports (Jan-Dec 1951)

10 by widespread claims of brand-name TV manufacturers that distributors are demanding all the sets they can now supply. Bendix, for instance, says some of its models are on allocation to distributors "despite the fact that production lines... are moving on regular schedules based on copper allotments." "Our own CMP allocations would restrict our fourth-quarter production to a fraction of the 1950 period," declared Magnavox president Frank Freimann this week. " Inventories generally are not large enough to compensate for production curtailments in the offing," he said. "The apparent uncertainty that still prevails in relation to the industry is inconsistent with the govt. -enforced production cutbacks that will prevail in the coming months." ^ ^ ^ ^ Another cut in fourth-quarter steel-copper-aluminum was announced Oct. 1 by NPA — in form of ruling that any unfilled order calling for third-quarter delivery which is not shipped by Oct. 7 must be charged against fourth-quarter CMP allotment. Move was necessary to break log-jam of undelivered orders backed up on mill order boards — but no matter how you slice it, it’s a cut in metals for this quarter. Fourth-quarter copper crisis has been relieved somewhat by withdrawal of 30,000 tons from govt, stockpile, but there's still strong possibility some users won't get their full fourth-quarter allotments. And stockpile withdrawals must be paid back within year. Aluminum is now most serious item in fourth-quarter picture — due to the drought-induced power shortage in Pacific Northwest. Although dry spell apparently is over, much production was lost, and aluminum stockpile is too low to draw on. Acute aluminum-copper shortage in first and second quarters of 1952 was predicted this week by DPA-NPA chief Manly Fleischmann — because of rising military "take" of these metals. While govt. -sponsored expansion program should blot out the aluminum shortage by end of next year, he said, "the shortage of copper, like death and taxes, will always be with us." There's less copper available this year than last, in face of far greater demand, says Frank Hayes, NPA's top copper expert; "and in 1952, and running into 1953, we will be very fortunate if we can maintain our present [copper] production." Trade Personals: Michael D. Kelly, promoted from asst, to TV sales mgr., Hallicrafters, succeeding Paul H. Eckstein, resigned to form own electronics sales rep firm with offices in Pure Oil Bldg., Chicago . . . John Mahoney, Hallicrafters sales promotion mgr., succeeds Charles J. Nesbitt as adv.-public relations mgr., Mr. Nesbitt joining Critchfield & Co., Chicago ad agency headed by his father . . . Other Hallicrafters executive appointments, mainly promotions, announced this week by Wm. J. Halligan, president: Wm. J. Halligan Jr., communications radio sales mgr., named radio sales mgr.; Wm. S. Wright, works mgr., to operations mgr.; Fred T. Page, ex-Ford, controller; J. C. Matthews, asst., to purchasing director; Rudolph W. Westerfield, director of procurement, to executive staff . . . James C. P. Long, head chief of Navy Dept, material coordination section, joins Washington engineering staff of Sprague Electric Co. as asst, to John P. Sheridan . . . James R. Hill, ex-Herbert H. Horn Co., joins Hoffman Radio in charge of TV parts warranty program, succeeded as gen. service mgr. at Horn by Clarke Latimer . . . Marshall C. Wells named sales promotion mgr., Hoffman Sales Corp., Los Angeles . . . James B. Ferguson named chief engineer. Link Radio, with F. A. Schaner in charge of govt, accounts; Harold Heimark, commercial; J. W. Campbell, engineering coordination . . . Ignatius Volpe, exAir King and Jewel Radio, named chief engineer. Steelman Phonograph & Radio . . . George M. Johnson, South-Southeast regional sales mgr., named mgr. of Chicago sales branch, Stev/artWarner TV-radio div. . . . Paul P. Pierson named mgr. of new Crosley Distributing Corp. branch in Omaha; Crosley now operates own branches in New York, St. Louis, Atlanta, Albany, Portland, Ore. SELF-FOCUSING PICTURE TUBES now comprise DuMont’s entire output, and similar tubes are in production or planned by other major manufacturers. DuMont, having discontinued manufacture of conventional magnetic focusing types, is producing new zero-voltage “automatic” electrostatic focus tube (Vol. 7:20-21,33-34) in 17, 20 & 21-in. sizes, and will put it into new receiver line. GE is manufacturing its own vei'sion of the zero-voltage tubs, also in 17, 20 & 21-in., but is still turning out magnetic focusing tubes, too. RCA this week announced new low-voltage electrostatic focus 17-in. similar to DuMont’s, but with provision for adjusting focus voltage, although “focus is automatically maintained.” Sylvania is known to have similar tube in the works, and Rauland has been making low-voltage tubes for some time (Vol. 7:12). Although new tube is more difficult to manufacture than old types, it makes possible savings in cost of set manufacture, and — more important — in such strategic materials as cobalt, copper and steel. Tube manufacturers variously estimate use of new tubes will save set makers from 75<f to $4 per set by eliminating or simplifying focus circuits. “Ham” radio operators were granted priorities to buy parts and equipment Oct. 4 in NPA Order M-85. Order provides that members of 9 major military and emergency networks can each purchase $200 worth of priority orders on self-certifying basis. Other amateurs will be limited to $100 in rated orders. Regulation permits amateurs to pool their quotas “to meet unusual needs.” The “ham” priority action was requested by defense agencies. Amateur Radio Relay League and electronic parts, components distributors.