Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Modernize for PROFITS »» YOU DON'T expect a 1929 car to compare in performance with the new models now being exhibited. You shouldn't expect an old transmitter to command the attention of the 1932 audience. New and more rigid regulations have been made by the Federal Radio Commission with a view to better service to the public. It is, therefore, to the interest and profit of the broadcast station that the transmitter equipment be adjusted or modified to 1932 standards of performance. In nearly all cases this may be accomplished by minor changes in equipment plus adjustments by a trained broadcast engineer aided by necessary instruments. Radio Research Company, Inc. 1204 Irving Street N. E. Washington, D. C. Madrid Broadcast Fight Looms (Continued from page 15) submitted to the Berne Bureau proposals for enlargement of the broadcast band, but, along with Cuba, they have served notice informally that they need additional frequencies to accommodate their broadcasting. It is hardly expected that the North American nations will air their broadcasting allocation dispute before the conference, but it seems certain that a basis for settlement will be provided at Madrid. The State Department has sought to forestall discussions between the North American nations for the oast two years on the grround that the matter would be settled at Madrid— a contention which was denounced by Senator Dill (D.) of Washington and has resulted in an order to a Senate Committee to investigate. One serious problem which enters into the proposal for widening the broadcast band, insofar as this country is concerned, is that of displacing: the airway beacon services maintained by the Airways Division of the Department of Commerce as a safeguard for aviation. Between 196 and 350 kc, there are nearly 200 such transmitters, and it is contended by some that they cannot be operated in any other portion of the spectrum without seriously imperilling safety of life in the air, aside from invalidating property. While the Army and Navy have a good many frequencies in these bands, this is not regarded as sufficiently important to block a transfer to broadcasting. For the most part these waves are not being employed in regular traffic. The argument advanced by the Navy that the frequencies are essential to national defense in time of emergency is not tenable since the President, by executive order, at any time may clear all commercial or private traffic from the air and turn all bands over to the military services. Television Unaffected OTHER matters on the agenda are not of vital interest to broadcasting. There will be some discussion of television frequencies, but it will be of a cursory nature and is not expected to affect the allocations on the • North American continent. The five bands of 100 kc, each lying between 1,500 and 6,000 kc, are subject to regional agreements, and those in the very high frequencies are in the unreserved portion of the spectrum. The Madrid conference will run probably three months. It will be the first of its kind since that held in Washington in 1927 under the direction of Herbert Hoover, then Secretary of Commerce. The convention has treaty-making powers. Some 80 nations are signatory to the 1927 pact. The purpose of the sessions is to draft international regulations to govern orderly use of the ether consistent with modern engineering technique. Several important shifts in the allocation of communications waves, notably those for radiotelephone services, are proposed. Maj. Gen. C. McK. Saltzman, chairman of the Radio Commission, probably will be named by President Hoover to head the American delegation. The size of the delegation has not been determined, but in view of economic conditions, and because of a curtailed appropriation by Congress it likelv will contain three delegates. Others being considered as delegates include Under-Secretary of State William R. Castle, Senators Dill and White (R.) of Maine, and William D. Terrell, director of the Radio Division, Department of Commerce. As advisors and assistants to the delegation, the names of the following are being considered: Dr. C. B. Jolliffe, Chief Engineer, Radio Commission; Dr. J. H. Dellinger, Chief, Radio Section, Bureau of Standards: Gerald C. Gross, engineer, Radio Commission; William R. Vallance and Irvin B. Stewart, State Department; Lieut. Comdr. Joseph R. Redman, Navy: Lieut. W. T. Guest, Armv Signal Corps; Lieut. Comdr. E. M. Webster, Coast Guard, and Mai. K. B. Warner, American Radio Relay League, representing the amateurs. A large group representing various radio interests, as well as representatives of the communications companies, will attend the sessions as private observers. It is unlikely that broadcasting interests will be represented on the official delegation or by an official advisor. Among those identified with broadcasting who have announced their intention of attending the conference are Louis G. Caldwell, attor ney; Philip G. Loucks, managing director, National Association of Broadcasters; Paul M. Segal, attorney, and W. G. H. Finch, representing the Hearst radio interests. Among others likely to attend are Lloyd Espenchaid and L. E. Whittemore, A. T. & T.; General J. G. Harbord, Col. Samuel Reber and Loyd Briggs, RCA; Paul Goldsborough, Aeronautical Radio, Inc.; Maj. Gen. George S. Gibbs, retired, Frank Page and Haraden Pratt, I. T. & T. Program Guide Proves Successful as Nucleus For Sponsored Feature A NOVEL idea for providing a useful service to radio listeners has resulted in the placement of the Daily Radio Guide transcription program sponsored by S. C. Johnson & Son, Racine, Wis., (wax polish) on 50 individual stations, according to Melvin Brorby, vicepresident of Needham, Louis and Brorby, Inc., Chicago, which handles the account. As the contracts are for daily broadcasts, except Sunday, and run a year, the sponsor will offer 15,600 broadcasts, probably the greatest number on the air outside of time, signals. The electrically transcribed programs open with a theme song, which is followed by a one-minute talk by Miss Helen Wing on the use of wax in the home. The local announcer is then allowed two minutes to outline the high spots of the day's program over that station. Harlow Wilcox makes a closing announcement for Johnson's wax, and the program ends with a theme song. The program was the outgrowth of an idea by John J. Louis, vicepresident of the advertising agency, and was suggested by a program forecast over WLW, Cincinnati. The transcription program was decided upon because of the differences in time over the country. Full Time for KGIR INCREASE in operating hours from one-half to full time was granted KGIR, Butte, Mont., by the Radio Commission Feb. 23. The station is assigned to 1360 kc. with 500 w. The additional halftime granted the station previously was unassigned. Action was taken without a hearing as Montana is underquota. Mi ping the Advertiser *..cut COSTS/ KM BC Announces Gt$m «/ K$ckedule )°Jq (/Induction in /{cites A Key Station of the Columbia Broadcasting System, originating regular daily programs to stations west of the basic network. WHAT "RUN OF SCHEDULE" IS: The Client may order the CLASS OF TIME deiired at bO1 of Program Ratet, but may not specify definite time. The station will select favorable time from open periods available, and ii not obligated to furnish the Client advance information as to the time any broadcast will be made. The Station will, however, if requested by Client, furnish certificate of performance giving actual time broadcast was made. "Run of Schedule" rates apply only on Program Rates, Classes "A", "B", "C" and "D" MIDLAND BROADCASTING CO. KANSAS CITY, MO Page 22 BROADCASTING • March 1, 1932