Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

3 New York area" simultaneous uhf signals from 200, 400, 600 & 800-ft. levels. Said Dr. Brown: "I'm rather thrilled, looking forward to the experiments. My wife says it sounds kind of dull." He raised an understanding laugh from audience. $1 # & #1 Availability of uhf transmitting equipment appears better than RCA has indicated up to now (Vol. 8:5). A 1-kw transmitter will be ready this October, and 10-kw is due first quarter 1953. Uhf slotted antenna now offered was termed "much simpler" than one employed at Bridgeport. It has gain of 24-27, will be available in September. Transmission lines will include 2 sizes of waveguides in addition to 3%-in. and 6%-in. coaxial. Offset carrier operation in uhf, to reduce interference and widen station service areas, is now as feasible as in vhf, according to RCA engineers. They report that they have achieved more than adequate frequency stability — something that worried FCC no end year or 2 ago. To assist consultants making uhf site tests, RCA plans to lease them field truck and 100-watt transmitter — giving actual picture for measurements. Company is now equipping truck. Full line of vhf and studio equipment was also described, including new camera, new film projector, improved methods of telecasting film. Applicants are placing orders for uhf as well as vhf, said T. A. Smith, asst, mgr., engineering products dept. They usually "go the whole hog," he added, specifying maximum powers contemplated by FCC up to now. That most applicants are ready, willing and able to build, is indicated by fact that to date only 5 prospective equipment purchasers have been turned down by credit dept., said RCA officials. NARTB-TV CODE HEADY FOR BUSINESS': NARTB's self-censorship TV code (Vol. 7:49) is all set, ready to go into effect, and awaiting subscribers following appointment of Code Review Board and approval of administrative details by association's TV board meeting this week at Lost Valley Ranch, Bandera, Tex. Majority of NARTB's 82 TV station members, and all 4 networks, are expected to be charter subscribers to the code, which becomes effective March 1. It will be administered and policed by 5-member Review Board, meeting 5 times a year. Many of 26 non-members of NARTB-TV are expected to adhere, use seal on screens (see p. 14). Named to head Review Board by NARTB president Harold Fellows and confirmed by TV board was veteran broadcaster and telecaster John E. Fetzer, owner of WKZO & WKZO-TV, Kalamazoo. Other board members: J. Leonard Reinsch, WSB-TV, Atlanta, vice chairman ; Mrs. Scott Bullitt, KING-TV, Seattle ; Walter J. Damm, WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee ; E. K. Jett, WMAR-TV, Baltimore, former FCC commissioner. Code administration budget of $40,000 for first year was approved by the TV board. NARTB said the 4 TV networks "will assist substantially in defraying administration cost," but didn't reveal amount they will contribute. Initially, it will cost stations $520 a year to subscribe. If subscriber is member of NARTB, $250 of this amount will be credited against his dues, making his net code payment $270. Subscription fees will be reduced in proportion to the number of subscribing stations. When 90 have subscribed, for example, the fee will be cut to $405 per station, with $250 of that amount credited toward dues of NARTB member-subscribers. NARTB's enthusiasm for new code was matched by that of Sen. Johnson, who this week told Baltimore's WAAM Seminar (see p. 14): "If telecasters follow [the code] faithfully, this new and exciting medium will prove to be the greatest influence for clean thinking and clean living since Moses published the Ten Commandments on slabs of stone. Telecasters now join 'men of the cloth', the school teacher and the parents in advancing the cause of high moral standards. It should be inspiring to be associated with an industry which thus promotes the better things of life." Note : Full text of code, published Dec. 8 as our Supplement No. 76, is con tained in TV Factbook No. 14; separate reprints are available at $1 each.