Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

North America May Get Dozen Long Waves From Madrid Pact Broadcast Band Widening Compromise Seen On Regional Basis; U. S. Seems Favorable INDICATIONS that a least a dozen long wave channels of 10 kc. each will be made available to the North American continent for broadcasting use under regional agreements, have been apparent in the negotiations now under way at the International Radio Conference in Madrid, according to unofficial advices received here. While cabled reports to Broadcasting state that the conference is in a "deadlock" on the enlargement proposal with Russia and most of the smaller European countries favoring invasion of the long waves on a wholesale basis, it is reported that a compromise eventually is expected on a regional basis. Observers are confident that a band of about 120 or 130 kilocycles in the lower end of the spectrum (between 150 and 300 kc.) will be cleared for broadcasting. Mexico Agreement Looms SUCH A STEP would make available to North America perhaps 12 new broadcasting waves for allocation to Mexico and Cuba, as well as to the United States and Canada. The question of separation between these waves, however, also is on the agenda and will be thrashed out at the conference. At the very outset of the conference on Sept. 3 it was reported that Mexico had made overtures to the American delegation regarding a division of North American channels in such a way as to satisfy the former's broadcasting requirements and end the seige of "squatting" on American waves. While nothing additional of concrete character has emanated from Madrid, it is understood that Dr. C. B. Jolliffe, chief engineer of the Radio Commission and a member of the American delegation, has been conferring with Emilio Torres, head of the Mexican delegation. It was Dr. Jolliffe who worked out the U. S.-Canadian reallocation agreement of last May. Russia Submits Plan THE INTERNATIONAL Broadcasting Union (U. I. R.), powerful central European association of broadcasting groups, has been pushing its program for invasion of the long waves on a scale that would force aviation, maritime and government services to the higher waves. It has been backed by Soviet Russia, which also presented its own plan for an entire rechanneling project which, in effect, would push the whole broadcast band down to about 150 kc. and make available the present broadcast frequencies above about 1300 kc. for other services and broadcasting on a non-interference basis. The Soviet Plan is based on propagation characteristics of the various frequencies. Greatest opposition is coming from the maritime interests, which served notice in advance that they would fight any move forcing them to junk their present spark equipment and install new apparatus for higher frequency operation. Aviation interests, now occupying certain of the bands, have taken a conciliatory position and presumably are ready to yield to any reasonable demands. Vice Chairman E. O. Sykes, of the Radio Commission, who heads the American delegation, was named chairman of the technical committee dealing with the enlargement issue. The attitude of the American delegation thus far, it was indicated, has been that of no opposition to any enlargement plan of a regional nature, but it has not expressed itself openly as yet. Italy, Japan and Canada have opposed enlargement with Great Britain's position not definitely expressed. American interests at the conference have been most active in the general deliberations. Louis G. Caldwell, attorney, is representing the NAB and is espousing the enlargement proposal. Besides the official delegation of four and its staff of advisors, shipping, aviation, communications and amateur groups are represented. Paul M. Segal, radio attorney and general counsel of the American Radio Relay League, and K. B. Warner, secretary of the League, are representing the amateurs. 30,000 Z " Oaventpy . Eiffel Tow 1.000 S.O.S CallI 600 Meters/" " 547 300 200 Fixed Point to Point LONG WAVE, TRANSOCEANIC, HIGH POWER GOVT. AND COMMERCIAL Fixed Point to Point AND Maritime Mobile Ship to Shore Government Government Maritime Mobile, Aircraft, Govt. Governmeni Kc KFI 640 -WGN 720 -WJZ 760 -WGY -790 > CD o -WLS 870 z J -KDKA-980 rJ -KSTP-1460 Broadcast Pickup, etc. TELEVISION Amateuh Television ioo o 1,500 1.600 1,716 2.000 2,300 Courtesy of Electronics BROADCAST BAND— Chart shows present relative position of broadcasting assignments in radio spectrum and classifications into which it may be extended at Madrid Radio Conference. Compliance With New 50 -Cycle Order Costs Broadcasting Industry $570,000 Commission Told That Improved Service Has Resulted; Average Cost of Frequency Monitor Was $655 Mr. Ring IT IS COSTING the broadcasting industry, in round figures, about $570,000 to comply with the Radio Commission's new 50cycle frequency tolerance order, designed to "chase the heterodyne from the ether." This estimate, made with the assistance of Andrew D. Ring, Commission broadcast engineer, is based on average figures for the cost of visual frequency monitors, required under the 50-cycle rules (144 and 145), which became effective June 22, and on the estimated cost of supplemental equipment which a number of stations were forced to purchase to come within the terms of the regulations. The average cost of a visual frequency monitor is figured at $655. As of Sept. 15, exactly 500 stations either had installed the apparatus or were awaiting delivery of monitors which already had been approved. All told, there are 565 actual transmitters to be so equipped the discrepancy between the total number of licensed stations (610) and the total number of transmitters being accounted for by the use of the same transmitter by two or more stations. For frequency monitors alone, therefore, it is estimated that the expenditure will be in the neighborhood of $370,000. The additional $200,000 is accounted for by estimated expenditures for other apparatus ranging from new thermostats to entire new frequency control units and associated amplifiers which had to be installed before a visual monitor could do the job of keeping the station within 50-cycles, plus and minus, of its assigned frequency. Order Warranted THAT the new order was warranted, according to Commission information, is reflected in the numerous letters the Commission has received from stations, engineers and listeners reporting improved service. The Commission, prior to the order, predicted that two-thirds of the stations would benefit through sharply curtailed heterodyning. The records, as of Sept. 15, showed that 501 stations have installed monitors, all but one of which were purchased from engineer companies. The single exception was a home-made set. Of these, 458 had been checked with frequency standards and measured Engineers Compile Data On Tastes of Listeners A SERIES of tabulations of listener responses to questions regarding program preferences and dislikes, compiled from 500,000 answers gathered by unemployed radio engineers in surveys of 6,437 homes in 28 states, has been prepared for sale among stations, agencies and advertisers by the Emergency Employment Committee of the Institute of Radio Engineers, 33 W. 39th St., New York, under the direction of Capt. Robert H. Marriott, chairman. The purpose of the surveys, Capt. Marriott states, is to help sponsors to avoid dislikes and select likes that will produce attentive listeners, and the several tabulations include the answers of listeners in their own words so far as possible. Seventy-five unemployed members were engaged by the I. R. E. to conduct the surveys, the proceeds from the sale of the reports going to them. A complete list of the tabulations, according to subject matter, with prices of each, may be obtained by writing Capt. Marriott. Midget Radio Telephone Built by RCA Victor Co. DEVELOPMENT of a tiny twoway radio telephone and telegraph set, for use in emergency mobile communications over short distances, is announced by the RCA Victor Co., Camden, N. J. Designed to operate on five meters with power of less than half a watt, the Transcievers, as they are called, weigh only 22 pounds together with a battery unit. The Transcievers are expected to find a ready use in police and fire fighting work because of their value in maintaining communication between police or firemen in hazardous situations with headquarters or their directing officers. Radio News Reel WHAM, Rochester, shows its own news reel in leading RKO house and various neighborhood houses in cooperation with local producer. Station announces film sponsors once daily in return for publicity. up to the requirements. The remaining 43 of this group have not yet been finally checked on frequency maintenance. Of the stations which have not yet installed monitors, 39 have ordered apparatus approved by the Commission after tests at the Bureau of Standards, but deliveries have not been made. Thirty-five other stations have ordered monitors not yet approved by the Commission as they are still undergoing test at the bureau. There are 37 stations classified as "irregular," in that they are operating under suspension of Rule 145 because their status is involved in litigation before the courts of the Commission, or are new stations holding construction permits. Of the approved monitors installed and ordered, 170 are Western Electric types; 155, General Radio Co.; 119, RCAVictor Co.; 46, Doolittle & Falknor; 21, De Forrest, and one, Bremer Broadcasting Corp. Page 12 BROADCASTING • October 1, 1932