Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

2 cally, a builder could, over a 9-month period, self-authorize enough structural steel to put up a good guyed tower. But tower manufacturers have their doubts. One of the biggest says he does not have enough steel for radar towers and other direct military work — and he's afraid he wouldn't be able to honor self-allotment tickets for certain scarce types of structural steel used in TV towers. Manufacturers now estimate it will take 6-9 months to erect 500-ft. tower, as against 4-6 months during normal times. But they say even this estimate is predicated on hoped-for improvement in structural steel situation. Many would-be telecasters are trying to jump the gun, place orders with the tower manufacturers before they get their CPs, One tower maker says he can't accept these orders even with self-authorized priority tickets. The steel, he explains, is needed right now for defense projects. Even if he could take the orders, he doesn't want to be asked to buy the tower back if customer doesn't get a CP. That's the sizeup of things as they stand today. Whole picture could very well change a dozen times — for better or worse — before FCC makes first grant. Pressures on NPA by telecasters, set makers. Congress and public will be terrific, once the Commission starts handing out CPs — and NPA may be persuaded to loosen up enough to keep abreast of FCC's grants. It's hard to visualize Senator Johnson, for example, sitting idly by while CP for TV-less Denver goes to waste. II-TV CONSTRUCTION, TRANSMITTING GEAR: Transmitting equipment still is no bottleneck constricting the early emergence of new stations. Manufacturers have planned and produced as far in advance as they believed prudent — frequently beyond prudence. About only conceivable holdup currently in sight is in high-powered uhf. Super-duper uhf transmitters (10 to 12 kw) won't be available until fourth quarter of this year. But number of CP-holders actually ready to accept delivery of such units is expected to be negligible before fourth quarter. Between 100 and 150 transmitters, with most of their associated equipment, could probably be delivered this year — if FCC could grind out that many CPs. That the transmitter makers are well prepared, is amply shown by following facts gleaned this week from our survey of all transmitter manufacturers: (1) Now in hands of potential telecasters, or warehoused for those who have bought them, are 20-plus vhf transmitters — mostly 5-kw units, a few smaller (500 watts, 1-kw and 2-kw). (2) Ready for delivery now or in the next 2-4 months, are 20-50 more, also mostly 5-kw or under. (3) Starting March-May, 20-kw to 35-kw amplifiers for existing 5-kw transmitters, plus complete transmitters at those powers, will be available. (4) First uhf transmitters, 1-kw and 1.5-kw, are due about mid-year. (5) High-powered uhf, 10-kw and 12-kw, are due fourth quarter and later. (6) Top powers currently contemplated for vhf, 50-kw transmitters, are expected end of this year, at earliest. (7) Actual rate of production and installation of equipment for new stations can reach 15-20 monthly by mid-1952 — if demand is there. Existing stations with 5-kw units can be supplied with 20-kw and 25-kw amplifiers at the rate of 5-10 monthly at about the same time. * * $ * Just as important as transmitters, sometimes more vital, are the hundreds of additional components of TV station. Manufacturers are making every effort to have enough on hand to accompany transmitters, believe they'll be successful. They point out significant difference between TV and AM-FM — transmitter comprises only some 25% of total TV station cost, while transmitter usually absorbs over half the AM-FM equipment dollar. One component not under control of transmitter makers is copper transmission line. A check with producers of lines reveals that, though their ability to deliver